Here are eight things for spinal surgeons to know for July 27, 2017.
Dr. Robert Watkins examines Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw — Possibly out 4 to 6 weeks
Robert Watkins, MD, of Marina Del Rey, Calif.-based Watkins Spine, examined Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw the night of July 23, after the pitcher left his start earlier in the day with back discomfort, the Los Angeles Times reports. Mr. Kershaw had a herniated disc in his back last year. Dr. Watkins diagnosed and treated the injury last year as well.
Smith & Nephew partners with Memphis medical device accelerator
The medical device accelerator ZeroTo510 partnered with Smith & Nephew, the Memphis Business Journal reports. Companies involved in ZeroTo510's Executive in Residence program will now received guidance from Smith & Nephew executives about sales and product development.
Spinal Kinetics hits 50k+ procedures with M6 cervical, lumbar discs
Surgeons have performed more than 50,000 surgeries using the Spinal Kinetics M6-C and M-6-L cervical and lumbar discs. Spinal Kinetics launched the M6-C in 2006 and M6-L in 2010, both designed to mimic the natural disc. The company completed enrollment for the M6-C IDE study and plans to submit the pre-market approval application to the FDA this year.
Spine surgery SSI cost $16k
A new study published in The Spine Journal examined risk factors for postoperative surgical site infection after spine surgery. Ninety patients experienced SSI that resulted in 110 readmissions. Surgeons performed 138 irrigation and debridements among the SSI patients to manage the postoperative SSI. SSI's average direct cost was $16,242.
Dr. Blake Staub joins Texas Back Institute
Plano-based Texas Back Institute welcomed neurosurgeon Blake Staub, MD. Dr. Staub specializes in treating scoliosis and spine tumors in adults. Dr. Staub completed his fellowship at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York City.
DePuy Synthes, Integra LifeSciences, Medtronic, Stryker lead global neurosurgery market
The global neurosurgery market will likely grow at a compound annual growth rate of 9.42 percent through 2020, according to a Market Reports World analysis. DePuy Synthes, Integra LifeSciences, Medtronic and Stryker lead the global neurosurgery market.
Wesley Medical Center's orthopedic, spine unit to receive $10M renovation
Wichita, Kan.-based Wesley Medical Center's orthopedic and spine unit will undergo a $10 million renovation this fall, The Wichita Eagle reports. The renovation includes an updated physical therapy space, new equipment, new monitors and an expansion from 31 beds to 34 beds. The center also hopes to add preoperative education classes and a spine nurse navigator.
Dr. George Rappard reports positive results from endoscopic lumbar spine surgery study
George Rappard, MD, director of the Los Angeles Minimally Invasive Spine Institute, unveiled his study on endoscopic lumbar discectomy for herniated disc treatment. The study involved 108 patients who were all discharged home on the day of surgery. Ninety percent of the cases resulted in long-term success. In successful cases, patients' back pain decreased by 61 percent. Read more about the results, here.