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Scoliosis causes a sideways curve of your backbone, or spine. These curves are often S- or C-shaped. Scoliosis is most common in late childhood and the early teens, when children grow fast. Girls are more likely to have it than boys. It can run in families. Symptoms include leaning to one side and having uneven shoulders and hips.

Sometimes the curve is temporary. It might be due to muscle spasms, inflammation or having different leg lengths. A birth defect, tumor or another disease might cause the spine to have a curve that isn't temporary. People with mild scoliosis might only need checkups to see if the curve is getting worse. Others might need to wear a brace or have surgery.

Professor Moshe Shoham recognized with Thomas A. Edison Patent Award

Mazor Robotics Ltd., a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that Professor Moshe Shoham was awarded the Thomas A. Edison Patent Award from the American Society of Mechanical Engineers. [More]
Anatomy of a Hospital: New book chronicles history of nation's oldest hospital for orthopedics

Anatomy of a Hospital: New book chronicles history of nation's oldest hospital for orthopedics

With 537 pages and 150 photographs, "Anatomy of a Hospital" chronicles the history of the nation's oldest hospital for orthopedics, from its beginnings in a doctor's home to help destitute children with disabilities to the premier hospital it has become today. [More]

Epidural steroid injection is associated with increased spinal fracture

Most aging adults will experience back pain or a spinal disorder at some time in their life. In fact, about 25.8 million visits were made to physicians' offices due to primary back problems. Treatment focuses on pain relief and is available in both non-surgical (medication or physical therapy) and surgical forms. [More]

HSS to bring complex cervical spine surgery experts together to discuss unusual conditions

Hospital for Special Surgery will bring together some of the world's experts in complex cervical spine surgery to address the challenges and successful outcomes for patients with unusual conditions. [More]
Researchers identify link between GPR126 gene and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Researchers identify link between GPR126 gene and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis

Researchers from the RIKEN Center for Integrative Medical Sciences in Japan have identified the first gene to be associated with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (also called AIS) across Asian and Caucasian populations. [More]
Upcoming symposium to offer highlights of 150-year history of Hospital for Special Surgery

Upcoming symposium to offer highlights of 150-year history of Hospital for Special Surgery

An upcoming symposium will offer highlights of the 150-year history of Hospital for Special Surgery and at the same time provide a fascinating look at the evolution of medicine from the "Dark Ages" of the Civil War period to modern medicine as we know it today. [More]

Mazor Robotics enters into agreement with major U.S. hospital for four Renaissance systems

Mazor Robotics Ltd., the developer of Renaissance, an innovative surgical guidance system and its complementary products, today announced that on March 28, 2013, it entered into an agreement for the acquisition of four Renaissance systems by a major U.S. hospital corporation. [More]

Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities become the newest member of the Mayo Clinic Care Network

Mayo Clinic today announced that Shriners Hospitals for Children -- Twin Cities (Shriners) will build on the decades-long collaboration between physicians in both organizations and become part of the Mayo Clinic Care Network. [More]

Pinnaclemed purchases Mazor Robotics' Renaissance system

Mazor Robotics Ltd., the developer of Renaissance, an innovative surgical guidance system and its complementary products, today announced that Pinnaclemed Co., Ltd., the Company's distribution partner in Taiwan, purchased its first Renaissance system. [More]
Hospitals may be unfairly punished for high readmission rates

Hospitals may be unfairly punished for high readmission rates

When hospital patients have to be readmitted soon after discharge, hospitals look bad. A high readmission rate also can result in reduced Medicare reimbursements. But a study of spine surgery patients has found that the standard method used to calculate readmission rates is a misleading indicator of hospital quality. [More]

Tall, thin women face increased risk of infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria

Tall, thin women face a greater risk of infection with nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), cousins of the organism that causes tuberculosis, according to researchers at National Jewish Health. Women with NTM infections also showed a weakened immune response associated with their fat cells, in a paper published in the Jan. 15, 2013, issue of The American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care. [More]

Having two attending surgeons is better and safer during complex spinal surgeries

Two heads are better than one, as the saying goes - and a new study by a duo at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) demonstrates how having two attending surgeons in the operating room during spinal surgeries can benefit patients in multiple ways. [More]

Having 2 attending physicians during spinal surgeries can benefit patients in multiple ways

Two heads are better than one, as the saying goes - and a new study by a duo at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) demonstrates how having two attending surgeons in the operating room during spinal surgeries can benefit patients in multiple ways. [More]

Spaniels' neuropathic pain condition stays static without surgery

Cavalier King Charles with neuropathic pain induced by a condition characterized by a brain–skull size mismatch do not show significant improvement after nonsurgical treatment for the condition, indicate UK study results. [More]
Scientists reveal timing mechanism in formation of vertebrae

Scientists reveal timing mechanism in formation of vertebrae

As they develop, vertebrate embryos form vertebrae in a sequential, time-controlled way. Scientists have determined previously that this process of body segmentation is controlled by a kind of "clock," regulated by the oscillating activity of certain genes within embryonic cells. But questions remain about how precisely this timing system works. [More]
HSS announces opening of new Lerner Children's Pavilion

HSS announces opening of new Lerner Children's Pavilion

The new Pavilion within the #1 hospital for orthopedics in the country affirms HSS' longstanding commitment to championing children and caring for their musculoskeletal conditions. [More]

First access system designed specifically for minimally invasive posterior-lateral fusion launched by DePuy Synthes Spine

DePuy Synthes Spine announced the launch of the SPOTLIGHT PL Access System, the first access system designed specifically for minimally invasive posterior-lateral fusion. [More]

Adachi purchases Mazor Robotics' Renaissance surgical guidance system for spine procedures

Mazor Robotics Ltd., a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that Adachi Medical Instruments Co., Mazor's distribution partner in Japan, placed an order for its Renaissance™ system. As part of the distribution agreement, Adachi is committed to obtain Japanese PMDA (Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency) approval for the Renaissance system. [More]

Study identifies pitfalls in current calculation of hospital readmission rates in spine surgery

When hospital patients have to be readmitted soon after discharge, hospitals look bad. And in addition to reflecting poorly on a hospital's quality of care, a high readmission rate also can result in reduced Medicare reimbursements, under provisions now taking effect under the 2010 health care law. [More]

Humble Surgical Hospital acquires Mazor Robotics’ Renaissance system

Mazor Robotics Ltd., a developer of innovative surgical robots and complementary products, today announced that Humble Surgical Hospital in Humble, Texas acquired its Renaissance system. [More]