Payam Farjoodi, MD, an orthopedic spine surgeon at the Spine Health Center at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, Calif., discusses the future of spine technology.
Question: What emerging technology or technique do you think will have the biggest impact on the spine field five years from now?
Dr. Payam Farjoodi: Navigation will become an increasing part of spine surgery. As this technology evolves by becoming easier to use and more cost effective, it will allow for procedures to be done more accurately and with fewer complications.
Q: Where do you see the biggest room for innovation in spine?
PF: Patient evaluation and selection. Making the correct diagnosis and devising the appropriate treatment plan are, in my opinion, the most difficult part of spine surgery. A more objective algorithm for accomplishing both of these would allow for much better outcomes.
Q: What do you need to provide better care that doesn't currently exist?
PF: The use of artificial intelligence to interpret vast amounts of data in order to improve patient selection. This would allow surgeons to calculate more accurate outcomes and complication risk for specific patients allowing for better results.
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For a deeper dive into the future of spine, attend the Becker's 17th Annual Future of Spine + Spine, Orthopedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC in Chicago, June 13-5, 2019. Click here to learn more and register.