Spine Research to Improve Outcomes: 3 Surgeons on Their Current Investigations

Here are three spine surgeons discussed their ongoing spinal research studies and trials. 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: What do you think is the future of biologics use in spine?

Please send responses to Heather Linder at hlinder@beckershealthcare.com by Wednesday, July 3, at 5 p.m. CST.

Raj Rao, MD, Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee: I'm currently studying the long-term outcomes following anterior cervical fusion. I'm also in the process of looking at the incidence and characterization of upper and lower spinal injuries following motor vehicle crashes.

Walter Eckman, MD, Owner of Aurora Spine Center, Tupelo, Miss.: We are diligently working on clinical outcomes from minimally invasive TLIF with same day discharge, as well as use of alternative fusion products and evaluating fusions with PEEK versus titanium implants. 

Kern Singh, MD, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago: Currently my research is focused on patient outcomes and costs associated with spinal procedures. Using large scale administrative databases we are able to calculate costs for procedures and complications in patients undergoing spine surgery. The ultimate goal is to be able to identify pre-operative risk factors that may be modifiable in order to increase patient outcomes and to decrease healthcare costs.

More Articles on Spine:
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Starting a Device Company: 3 Steps From Dr. Scott Spann
Dr. Jeffrey Wang to Chair North American Spine Society's Summer Spine Meeting