Spine and orthopedic experts and leaders spoke with Becker's Spine Review on a range of topics in November.
Here are four insights we heard:
The biggest challenges & opportunities in orthopedics: Q&A with OrthoIndy's president
"The biggest thing is how to stay independent," said Ed Hellman, MD, president and interim CEO of Indianapolis-based OrthoIndy, discussing the most pressing issue for orthopedic practices.
"The last decade or two we've seen reductions in reimbursements for professional services while reimbursements have stayed high on the facility side. At the same time, overhead has gone up, such as malpractice insurance, information systems and compliance. These things are very costly, and that's decreased the margins that an independent orthopedic group operates under. The successful groups have found ways to develop ancillary income streams, whether it's ownership of therapy or imaging centers or surgery centers. In our case, we have a physician-owned hospital that's part of that as well, and that has allowed us to stay independent of the major health systems."
Patient-specific orthopedic implants in 2031: 3 surgeon predictions
"The technology behind patient-specific surgical implants will continue to adapt and evolve over the next decade," said Ammar Saymeh, DPM, of NJ Spine and Wellness in Freehold, discussing the future of orthopedic implant technology.
"As we focus our attention to improving patient outcomes, it is without a doubt amongst the most vital aspects of biomedical engineering research in our time. These implants continue to be improved year after year. The goal for both patient and surgeon alike are less revisions and overall increased longevity of the implant. When we hone in on the total ankle arthroplasty, for example, we find a dramatic increase in usage and success rates as the technology behind the implant continues to improve. In addition to an overall improvement in the development of patient specific implants, robotics and 3D-printed prosthesis will play a large role in improving patient outcomes. These patient-specific implants will improve the biomechanics of the patient postoperatively. Patients will be able to have a much more active lifestyle and will not be inhibited by the orthopedic implant."
How 6 spine surgeons are upping their patient referral game
"Our parent institution has supported and sustained a culture of patient engagement by utilizing patient interaction, referring physician involvement, health coverage assists, subspecialty care excellence and patient gratitude," said Christian Zimmerman, MD, of Boise, Idaho-based Saint Alphonsus Medical Group, discussing strategies to boost patient referrals.
"If you couple these fundamentals with care provisions for all folks, the result is a health system regionally and nationally caring for large numbers and extended referral patterns. The recent COVID surges have pushed clinic openings in this area for first-time referrals to April of 2022. Deductible season for most surgical specialties most likely will not be met in its usual timely fashion. Implementing strategies of availability and affability remain."
Spine technologies that failed to live up to their hype: 4 surgeons weigh in
"Hype is always a difficult thing to see past," said, Brian Gantwerker, MD, of The Craniospinal Center of Los Angeles, discussing medical technology he thought fell flat.
"Spinal technologies that I think were less than stellar are the intervertebral distraction devices that became popular about two years ago. A slew of these devices were put into patients with the promise of relief from spinal stenosis. I have at least two spinous process fractures from these devices and have taken out at least one. I sincerely hope these devices will be retooled or removed from circulation altogether."