Spine News and Research RSS Feed - Spine News and Research

BTS launches belt to prevent lower back pain problems

FIK, Tecnalia and BTS launch a belt to prevent lower back pain problems and provide rehabilitation at home and at work. The Lumbia device can be used for patient´s assessment, and for therapy during postural re-education. [More]
Study: Primary medication nonadherence can lead to increased risk of bone fractures

Study: Primary medication nonadherence can lead to increased risk of bone fractures

Nearly 30 percent of women failed to pick up their bisphosphonate prescriptions, a medication that is most commonly used to treat osteoporosis and similar bone diseases, according to a Kaiser Permanente study published this week in the journal Osteoporosis International. [More]
UCSF Professor receives Olof Johnell Science Award for achievements in metabolic bone disease

UCSF Professor receives Olof Johnell Science Award for achievements in metabolic bone disease

Harry Genant, Professor Emeritus of the University of California San Francisco, has been named the winner of the International Osteoporosis Foundation's (IOF) first Olof Johnell Science Award. [More]
State roundup: Immigration proposal could mean big state health care costs

State roundup: Immigration proposal could mean big state health care costs

Making immigrants ineligible for public health benefits -- at least initially -- under proposed immigration law changes would push the costs of health care from the federal government to states and counties, said Sonal Ambegaokar, a health policy attorney at the National Immigration Law Center. [More]
First Edition: April 17, 2013

First Edition: April 17, 2013

Today's headlines include reports about a new study finding that surgical woes can actually bolster a hospital's profits. [More]
New paper discusses success of boot camp courses related to neurosurgery

New paper discusses success of boot camp courses related to neurosurgery

In July 2010, the Society of Neurological Surgeons initiated nationwide boot camp courses designed to teach incoming postgraduate Year 1 trainees fundamental skills related to the field of neurosurgery. [More]

Study: Scanning patients as per standard trauma protocol generated hundreds of CT examinations

It is unnecessary to scan trauma patients based on a non-focused standard trauma CT protocol, if the patient is transferred for care after already undergoing a focused CT examination based on the patient's history and physical examination, a new study shows. [More]

New study shows algorithm can cut radiation dose by 41% in lumbar spine CT

An algorithm that takes the patient's size into consideration can cut radiation dose by 41% in lumbar spine CT without compromising the diagnostic quality of the images, a new study shows. [More]
Two innovative techniques reduce common complications of spinal cord stimulator implant

Two innovative techniques reduce common complications of spinal cord stimulator implant

Two innovative techniques in the placement of an implanted spinal cord stimulator (SCS) are expected to reduce common complications at the implant site, according to new research revealed today. [More]
TSRI scientists shed light on major toxic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease

TSRI scientists shed light on major toxic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease

Scientists at The Scripps Research Institute have shed light on one of the major toxic mechanisms of Alzheimer's disease. The discoveries could lead to a much better understanding of the Alzheimer's process and how to prevent it. [More]
Orthopaedic surgeons should recommend weight loss to patients prior to joint replacement

Orthopaedic surgeons should recommend weight loss to patients prior to joint replacement

The obesity epidemic in America and its impact on musculoskeletal health, as well as related treatment outcomes and costs, was discussed during the AAOS Now forum, "Obesity, Orthopaedics and Outcomes," at the 2013 Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons at McCormick Place in Chicago. [More]
Neurosurgeons remove hypothalamic hamartoma to combat hyperphagia, unhealthy weight gain

Neurosurgeons remove hypothalamic hamartoma to combat hyperphagia, unhealthy weight gain

Neurosurgeons at the University of Texas-Houston and Children's Memorial Hermann Hospital (Houston, Texas) report on the success they achieved when they removed a hypothalamic hamartoma from a 10-year-old girl to combat hyperphagia (excessive appetite and compulsive overeating) and consequent unhealthy weight gain. [More]

Good spinal posture important to maintain independent lives

The shape of an individual's spinal column may predict his or her risk for nursing home admission or need of home assistance in old age, according to a new article published online in the Journals of Gerontology Series A: Biological Sciences and Medical Sciences. [More]
Study shows smoking and depression in adolescent girls have negative impact on bone mineral density

Study shows smoking and depression in adolescent girls have negative impact on bone mineral density

First-Time Study Shows Smoking and Depression in Adolescents have Negative Impact on Bone Mineral Density, say Investigators in the Journal of Adolescent Health [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]

Lifestyle choices we make in adulthood influence how tall we stand as we age

Even if you didn't eat your veggies or drink your milk as a child, your height is still in your hands, reveal new findings by economists from the University of Southern California, Harvard University and Peking University. [More]

Research roundup: Despite some cuts, hospitals will benefit from Medicaid expansion; Medicare's rising costs propel efforts to revamp the program

The authors write that, because of the health law's expansion of Medicaid coverage to adults making below 138 percent of the federal poverty level, "hospitals' public insurance revenue [will create] a larger Medicaid coverage pool. [More]
AACR recognizes scientists whose contributions to cancer field have extraordinary impact

AACR recognizes scientists whose contributions to cancer field have extraordinary impact

Five University of California, San Diego scientists and professors are among the first class of the Fellows of the American Association for Cancer Research Academy, created to recognize researchers whose scientific contributions have propelled significant innovation and progress against cancer. [More]
Medicare reimbursement cuts threaten access to care

Medicare reimbursement cuts threaten access to care

Physicians and patients alike are feeling the impact of Medicare reimbursement cuts that went into effect on January 1, 2013. With an additional 2% sequestration cut to roll out on April 1, it's likely that physicians who treat Medicare patients will be faced with difficult decisions as operating margins continue to shrink. [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]