William Tally, MD, a spine surgeon with Athens (Ga.) Orthopedic Clinic, has devoted his career to advancing minimally invasive spine surgery. He has worked in product development with Globus Medical and Amendia, with a particular focus on the oblique minimally invasive procedures.
Here, Dr. Tally shares his views on the biggest technology trends for 2018 and where implant innovation is headed.
Question: What is the biggest spine technology trend for 2018?
Dr. William Tally: I think two things are going to continue to happen. I think true minimally invasive surgeries, not marketed MIS surgery but actually less invasive approaches, will continue to grow. I think ASC-based surgery will continue to grow as well, and I think this year we are seeing the beginning of the commercially viable spine robots being used. It will still need a few years before robotics is ready for prime time, but I do think it will become more common for surgeons to perform their minimally invasive procedures successfully and comfortably.
Q: Where do you see the biggest innovations in implant material?
WT: The continued use of more metal and mechanical interbodies utilization will continue to go up. The most novel material right now is molybdenum-based alloys containing rhenium; it's the first new material that has been out in a long time. The material is a tougher metal which allows for a stronger, more durable procedure. It will be used similarly to other implants, but because it's stronger and tougher it allows for implant designs to evolve. I think we'll see a smaller implant from the material as we move in a more minimally invasive direction.
Q: Where do you see biologics and stem cells in spine headed for 2018 and beyond?
WT: More companies are starting to include some form of a cellular component with their products. We started three years ago with a bone graft material that had a cellular component and were one of two in the market. Now there are more, and I think there will be more studies on the regenerative use of stem cells. Clinically, they aren't really viable yet, but there will be more studies on disc regeneration.