Spine surgery is shifting away from traditional devices and toward biologics, a material that attracts cells to increase bone formation in spinal fusion procedures, according to Jeffrey Wang, MD, who is the University of California-Los Angeles spine service chief and director of UCLA's spine surgery fellowship.
Dr. Wang shared the following thoughts on biologics with Spine-health, a peer-reviewed site for healthcare information:
1. Disc regeneration is the most exciting area for spine biologics, where surgeons use stem cells to repair or prevent injury to a disc.
2. Dr. Wang said factors preventing further or faster advancement in biologics include many surgeons , lacking the time, proper connections or interest in the field. Low research funding and complicated procedures also have impeded progress.
3. Dr. Wang said patients interested in the latest biologic treatments and burgeoning biologics companies will fuel a bigger role in spine surgery for biologics.