Please send responses to Laura Miller at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it by Wednesday, Oct. 17, at 5 p.m. CST.
Where do you see spine research headed in the future?
Dennis Crandall, MD, Founder and Medical Director of Sonoran Spine Center, Mesa, Ariz.: Proving the value of the work we do, compared to other diseases and specialties.Walter Eckman, MD, Founder, Aurora Spine Center, Tupelu, Miss.:
1. Disc regeneration
2. Expanded understanding of the role of mild instability in chronic back pain
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, Spine Surgeon, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I see thinner times ahead. I am relatively new to practice. However, the fragmentation of interests and notions of self-preservation prevent us as a
specialty from forming strong coalitions to retard the progress toward a payor-run healthcare system.Paul Slosar, MD, President, SpineCare Medical Group, San Francisco Spine Institute: I continue to see a significant uptick in spine companies looking into implant surface-technology improvements. There is decreasing surgeon confidence in PEEK as BMP use declines. This is fueling a resurgence in titanium use, especially with acid-etched surfaces, in both the U.S. and E.U. Titan Spine is the only company I am aware of that has published basic
science on this, and has commercial products available that can stimulate bone-implant integration independent of the biologic. Other companies realize the implant should participate in the fusion and are looking for technologies to accomplish this goal. More Articles on Spine Surgery:
6 Spine Surgeons on Most Exciting Technology for the Future
9 Spine Surgeons on Big Concerns Keeping Them Up at Night
7 Biggest Opportunities for Growth in Spinal Surgery