Three spine surgeons discuss the future of biologics in spine surgery and the impact it will have on the field.
Ask Spine Surgeons is a weekly series of questions posed to spine surgeons around the country about clinical, business and policy issues affecting spine care. We invite all spine surgeon and specialist responses. Next week's question: If you could change one piece of legislation governing spine surgery, what would it be and why?
Please send responses to Anuja Vaidya at avaidya@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, July 16, at 5 p.m. CST.
Question: Where is the use of biologics in spine surgery headed?
Neel Anand, MD, Clinical Professor of Surgery, Director, Spine Trauma, Cedars-Sinai Spine Center, Los Angeles: Biologics will have significant impact, but the deterrent will be the insurance companies. Biologics is absolutely a game-changer, but these technologies and therapies need to be approved and if they are denied then that incentive and research just dies. However, there have been tremendous forays into different types of biologics.
Brian R. Gantwerker, MD, The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles: I think the market will continue to demand safe and effective biologics. But as for the "salad days" of BMP and its iterations, those are bygone.
Richard A. Kube II, MD, CEO, Founder, Prairie Spine & Pain Institute, Peoria, Ill.: Stem cells are an increasingly hot topic. I believe there will be more research discovering a wider indication for the usage of stem cells — in particular, the usage of adult stem cells. There will be greater application for helping injured structures to heal more effectively and for degenerative structures to heal or to some degree regenerate themselves.
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