On Monday August 2, Indiana Spine Group celebrated the groundbreaking of their new building. With over 80 guests in attendance at the groundbreaking and reception - the
project has officially begun! The new Indiana Spine Group building, which will be located in Carmel at US 31 and 131 Street, is expected to be completed in the fall of 2011.
The ceremony included comments from Indiana Spine Group physicians, Kevin Macadaeg, MD, Rick Sasso, MD and Jonathan Gentile, MD, executive director Chris Kutruff and Carmel Mayor Brainard.
(Pictured here Kevin Macadaeg, MD, Mayor Brainard and Rick Sasso, MD.)As mentioned in a
previous blog, this new building will include:
- Ambulatory surgery center
- Dedicated patient care and visitor areas with a cafe
- Imaging suite with MRI and CT
- Osteoporosis treatment center with DEXA scanning
- Physical therapy suite
- Medical academic center
A few more pictures from the groundbreaking!
Congratulations to Rick Sasso, MD, a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, who was just awarded his eighth patent! This is patent number 7,727,266 for a method and apparatus for retaining screws in a plate.
This patent is for an anterior cervical plate, now called Venture. This plate is used in spine 
surgery for patients suffering from a herniated disc or stenosis (disc degeneration), or after trauma, tumors or other conditions causing neck instability. The plate is used to stabilize the cervical spine after removing the disc.
Below is an abstract of this patent:
A retention system for maintaining a screw to a vertebral plate. One or more screws extend through apertures within the vertebral plate. A cavity is positioned adjacent to and overlaps into the aperture. A ring is positioned within the cavity and held in position by a cap. The cap attaches to the plate to prevent removal of the ring. The ring is deflectable between a first shape to allow the screw to be inserted and removed from the aperture, and a second shape to prevent screw back-out from the aperture. A method of using the system is also included and comprises positioning the ring within a cavity in the plate, maintaining the position of the ring to the plate by attaching a cap, inserting a screw through the aperture and attaching the plate to a vertebral member, and positioning the ring over the screw head and preventing the screw from backing-out.
For complete patent information, visit the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office website.
Recently Rick Sasso, M.D., a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group,
co-authored a book chapter for a medical textbook. This chapter was titled “Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion.” Anterior lumbar interbody fusion, usually referred to as ALIF, is a spine surgical procedure commonly used to treat discogenic low back pain - when non-operative measures are ineffective.
In this chapter, the historical background of anterior lumbar interbody fusion was reviewed. This spine surgery procedure was used as early as 1932 for the treatment of spondylolisthesis. Additionally, this chapter reviewed the biomechanics, patient selection, clinical studies, and imaging. To read this chapter, click here
At Indiana Spine Group’s Back Talk continuing medical education symposium, as highlighted in a previous blog entry , there are two educational tracks that will be available for conference attendees on day one. In addition to the general track discussed in the prior blog, there is a more in-depth track entitled, More Specifics | Spinal Diagnostics and Treatment.
In this education track there will be a few sessions focusing on the diagnosis of spinal disorders and abnormalities. One session titled Spinal Imaging | Technology and Diagnosis, will be presented by Stephen Pomeranz, MD. Dr. Pomerance is a radiologist. In this session, Dr. Pomeranz will provide an in-depth look at spinal imaging technologies and highlight the latest developments in spinal imaging technology and their applications in spinal diagnostics. Additionally, using case studies, he will review radiological finds and diagnostic indicators.
The second session of this educational track will focus on The Electrodiagnostic Evaluation, and will be presented by physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Dr. Shashank Dave. During his presentation, Dr.Dave will discuss the role and application of electromyography in the diagnosis of spinal disorders and diseases. Additionally, he will review case studies which utilize electromyography and identify specific diagnoses.
Another session presented for the in-depth track will focus on Diagnostic and Therapeutic Injections of the Spine. This will be presented by minimally invasive spine specialist John Arbuckle, MD. During this session Dr. Arbuckle will review and differentiate between the different type of therapeutic injections and will review the treatment efficacy of injections, the clinical protocols, indications and expected outcomes.
The last session of this continuing education track will highlight spine surgery, and is entitled Surgical Perspectives | Fusion vs Arthroplasty, presented by spine surgeon Rick Sasso, MD. During this session, Dr. Sasso will provide a detailed analysis of spinal fusion and arthroplasty and he will discuss motion preservation modalities for the treatment of generative disc disease. He will highlight lumbar and cervical artificial discs as well as review research studies and discuss patient selection, indications and expected outcomes.
A recent blog entry highlighted articles about the cervical artificial disc, written by Dr. Rick Sasso - a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group.
In this spine wellness educational video, Dr. Sasso discusses cervical artificial disc; the indications, overview of surgical procedure and the advantages of this procedure.
In May 2009, the Bryan Cervical Artificial Disc received FDA approval. T
his approval was previously written about in Dr. Sasso’s blog. The cervical artificial disc provides an alternative spine surgical treatment for cervical degenerative disc disease.
Dr. Rick Sasso, a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, has been a principal investigator in the studies with this spine surgical device – the Bryan Cervical Disc. A few of abstracts of his published research studies regarding the cervical disc are available on the U.S. National Library of Medicine / National Institutes of Health web site.
These include:
Earlier this year, Dr. Rick Sasso and I were asked to write a spine continuing educa
tion chapter on “Controversies in Cervical Spine Surgery”, specifically about a newer spine surgical technology known as dynamic plating for cervical fusions. Traditional plates, known as static plates, have a high success rate, but in reviewing the published reports of direct comparisons between the two plates, the dynamic plates have a slightly higher percentage which fuse. It may be even more beneficial in longer fusions.
I have switched my practice to essentially using only the dynamic plates for cervical spinal fusions. I have been very happy with the results. As with all new technology, it is important to carefully monitor results and compare them against established techniques. I'm keeping an eye on continuing trials even as I incorporate this technology into my own practice.
(This blog entry was written by Paul Kraemer, MD; a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group).
Spinal stenosis is a general term that refers to the narrowing of the spinal canal. Of
ten this is a degenerative condition resulting from aging. More commonly found in the lumbar (lower back) spine, it also occurs in the cervical (neck) spine.
Learn more about spinal stenosis, the diagnosis and treatment with this education video featuring Dr. Kenneth Renkens. Dr. Renkens is a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group. Orthopaedic spine surgeons with Indiana Spine Group include Rick Sasso, M.D., Thomas Reilly, M.D., and Paul Kraemer, M.D.
If you were not able to attend Indiana Spine Group’s continuing medical education conference, Back Talk | Comprehensive Concepts in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Spinal Disorders - educational sessions are now available on-line.
Educational Sessions include:
- The Fundamentals of Spinal Diagnostics | Kevin Macadaeg, MD
- Common Spinal Disorders | Paul Kraemer, MD
- The Uncommon and Difficult | Part One: Benign | Michael Stack, MD, PhD
- The Uncommon and Difficult | Part Two: Urgent | Kenneth Renkens, MD
- The Basics | Spinal Imaging | Thomas Reilly, MD
- Non-Operative Care: An Evidence-Based Overview | Jonathan Gentile, MD, and Jeff Hebert, DC, PhD (c)
- Minimally Invasive Spine Treatments | John Arbuckle, MD
- The Surgical Patient | Part One: Cervical | Rick Sasso, MD
- The Surgical Patient | Part Two: Lumbar | Kenneth Renkens, MD
To view these continuing education sessions, click here. Additionally, if you would like to receive continuing medical education credits for viewing theses sessions, visit the St.Vincent Distance Education Site and view from there. Registration is free.
(A very special thank you to St.Vincent Spine Center for making these videos possible.)
The St.Vincent Orthopedic Center and St.Vincent Spine Center recently earned the Joint Commission’s Disease-Specific Care Certification for joint replacement and spine surgery, respectively. The Joint Commission is the nation’s premier healthcare accreditation entity. Read the complete story in the Indianapolis Star.
Dr. Rick Sasso, co-medical director of the St.Vincent Spine Center spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group was quoted in this article.
Dr. Rick Sasso, a spine surgeon with
Indiana Spine Group, was featured in an article in
St.Vincent Health's magazine entitled
Balance.
This article entitled,
Against All Odds, featured a story about a patient Ben. While vacationing in Mexico with friends, Ben was injured while running along the beach in Cabo San Lucas. While running, a powerful wave crushed his C6 vertebra. After being stabilized at a hospital n Mexico, he was transferred to the
United States for spine surgery.
Dr. Sasso performed intricate spine surgery to repair the damage. Today, Ben is able to walk unassisted and go about his normal routine. Currently Ben is a student at Gallaudet University in Washington studying biology. He has also qualified for the freestyle and butterfly swimming events in the 2009 Deaflympics in Taiwan later this year.
Visit the Balance publication link, and read the
complete story.
Many times, when people have chronic lower back pain – they experience a greater level of depression than individuals without chronic back pain. This continuing medical education session at “Back Talk” will provide physicians and health care practitioners insight into learning to recognize and assess psychological risk factors of patients with acute and chronic back pain.
During this session entitled "Psychological Barriers," Ricks Warren, PhD, ABPP, will identify psychological issues in patients with chronic back pain and malingering. Additionally, he will review the psychological barriers for effective treatment of acute and chronic spinal problems – and identify the warning signs and when referral to a metal health professional is indicated.
Ricks Warren, PhD, ABPP joins the Back Talk continuing medical education faculty from Michigan. Dr. Warren is a clinical lecturer and psychologist with the Department of Psychiatry at the University of Michigan Medical School in Ann Arbor.
Recently,
Dr. Rick Sasso was interviewed by the Indianapolis Star. This story was about the Bryan Cervical Disc (cervical artificial disc), that was recently
approved by the FDA. Additionally, the first patient to receive the Bryan Cervical Disc in the United States was interviewed.
The Bryan Cervical Disc is used in cervical spine surgery as one of the cervical artificial disc options during arthroplasty. Arthroplasty is a new spine surgical treatment option for degenerative disc disease. To learn more about the Bryan Cervical Disc,
click here.
Here is a
link to the story on INDYSTAR.com - interviewing Dr. Rick Sasso.
In a recent blog entry, Indiana Spine Group announced the FDA approval of the Bryan™ Cervical Disc. This cervical artificial disc, provides spine surgeons an alternative device for implantation when performing cervical arthroplasty. In 2007, the Prestige Disc received FDA approval. In a recent press release, Dr. Rick Sasso stated that “The Bryan Cervical Disc more closely mimics natural spine disc movement with shock absorbing characteristics than a previously approved device.”
Indiana Spine Group is excited to announce that we are one of the providers of this latest technology. At this time, physicians with Indiana Spine Group are the only ones using the Bryan Cervical Disc in cervical arthroplasty in Indiana.
Dr. Rick Sasso, a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group, was a principal investigator in the clinical trials for the Bryan Cervical Disc. Additionally, Dr. Kenneth Renkens was an investigator in this trial. Dr. Renkens is a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group.
To learn more about the Bryan Cervical Disc, click here.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call 317.228.7000 or
toll-free 866.947.7463.
On Monday, Anne Marie Tiernon - news anchor with WTHR, interviewed Dr. Rick Sasso about the recent FDA-approval of the Bryan™ Cervical Disc. This 
story aired on June 9, and here is the link to this story.
Dr. Rick Sasso, a principal investigator in the Bryan Cervical Disc clinical trial, implanted the first Bryan Cervical Disc in the United States. This procedure was done at St.Vincent Hospital, and was performed with Kenneth Renkens, MD. Dr. Renkens, also involved with this clinical trial, is a neurosurgical spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group.
Addi
tionally, cervical arthroplasty patient Kevin Wacasey was interviewed in this story. Kevin received the first Bryan Cervical Disc in the United States in 2002. Today, he is doing great! He enjoys spending time with his teenage son, golfing, fishing and other hobbies.
Spine surgeons Drs. Rick Sasso and Kenneth Renkens, will be presenting a two part talk on The Surgical Patient at Back Talk. Back Talk is the continuing medical education symposium for primary care physicians and health care practitioners. These presentations will discuss the cervical spine surgical patient and the lumbar spine surgical patient. The goal of these continuing medical presentations is to help the practitioner understand who the ideal spine surgery candidate is, and the indications and expectations for spine surgery. Additionally, different surgical options will be discussed.
Dr. Rick Sasso, will discuss the cervical spine surgery patient. In this presentation he will review the cervical pathology and diagnoses for indicative of surgery – both degenerative and traumatic. Additionally, Dr. Sasso will discuss common cervical spine surgical procedures, their indications and expected outcomes.
For the lumbar spine presentation, Dr. Kenneth Renkens will discuss the indications and diagnoses when lumbar surgery is a treatment option. Dr. Renkens will also discuss common lumbar surgical procedures – their specific indications and the effectiveness of these lumbar spine surgery procedures.
An article on Spine Universe entitled “Post-Operative Care: Activity, Incision Care, Rehab and Recovery,” discusses the importance of planning on post-operative care, prior to spine surgery. This article outlines the expectations immediately following spine surgery, and answers frequently asked questions by the patient and the family; i.e. recovery room, anesthesia and waking up and pain management.
Part two of this article addresses other key post-operative spine surgical care issues such as physical therapy and rehab, surgical incisions and hospital discharge.
This article was reviewed by Indiana Spine Group spine surgeon, Rick Sasso, MD. Dr. Sasso thought that this was a good resource for patients that are scheduled for spine surgery and that it is important for patients to be aware of the routine post-operative steps following spine surgery.
A recent blog entry highlighted a surgical procedure for lumbar spinal stenosis the X-STOPÒ. This newer procedure decompresses the spinal cord that has narrowed as a result of lumbar spinal stenosis. Once decompressed (opened), the pressure on the spinal cord is relieved,
thereby eliminating the pain. Dr. Rick Sasso, a spine surgeon with Indiana Spine Group was one of the first surgeons to perform this procedure in Indianapolis. This device was approved by the FDA in November 2005. Here is a link to the press release, which provides more detail on this procedure.
Here is more information about spinal stenosis.
We are excited to announce that Dr. Rick Sasso has been selected to be the chairman / course director for the annual spine meeting hosted by the American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons. This program that targets orthopaedic surgeons - will be held in November 2009.
At this program entitled, Contemporary Techniques in Spine Surgery, physicians will learn the latest surgical techniques for addressing spinal pathology. Dr. Sasso will address basic and advanced techniques of various spine surgeries including cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine procedures.
To learn more about this program, click here.
Physicians with Indiana Spine Group presented at the fall conference of the Indiana State Chiropractic Association this past weekend, on November 1 and 2.
On Saturday Dr. Kevin Macadaeg, a minimally invasive spine specialist, spoke on minimally invasive techniques used to help manage spinal pain. Additionally, he addressed diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections. Spine surgeons - Dr. Thomas Reilly, Dr. Kenneth Renkens and Dr. Rick Sasso also spoke on Saturday. Dr. Reilly discussed when spine surgery is a potential treatment option. Dr. Renkens’ talk entitled “Understanding Lumbar Surgery”, focused on the lower back and reviewed spine surgery options and indications for the lumbar spine. Additionally, he discussed the different types of lumbar fusions and their applications. Dr. Rick Sasso focused on cervical surgery, and his talk was entitled “The ABC’s of Cervical Surgery”. In this talk, he discussed common cervical surgical procedures; including spinal fusion and cervical artificial disc replacement.
On Sunday, minimally invasive spine specialists Dr. Jonathan Gentile and Dr. John Arbuckle reviewed case studies of minimally invasive diagnostic and therapeutic techniques. Spine surgeons Dr. Thomas Reilly and Dr. Paul Kraemer also reviewed case studies of surgery patients.
For more information about this conference, click here.
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