Online Spine Courses

Genetic prognostic testing has the potential to transform the treatment of AIS. Doctors Newton, Ogilvie, Shah, and Shufflebarger explain the science and discuss treatment implications.

How useful are current and emerging AIS classification systems?  Do they help improve outcome?  What are their weaknesses?  Doctors LaBelle, Newton, O’Brien, and Skaggs analyze today’s classification systems and address their shortfalls.

Scott H. Kitchel, MD looks back at early use of lumbar nuclear replacement devices, examines how this experience compares to what is now known and leads to improved patient selection. While these devices are currently not available, he demonstrates how this technology may have great potential to patients to seek alternative care.

Christopher P. Ames, MD presents the development and evolution of bone graft including allograft, synthetics, stems cells, and others. His discussion includes available data, outcomes and guidelines for patient and graft selection.

Christopher M. Bono, MD discusses the disjointed rationale - benefits and disadvantages -- of motion sparing technologies. His presentation includes thought-provoking data about devices and diagnosis of particular degenerative spinal conditions.

Rick C. Sasso, MD discusses the history, evolution, and practicality of image-guided intraoperative advanced imaging to perform minimally invasive spine surgery. He further presents an overview of this technology’s benefits as supported by case comparisons and other evidence-based materials.

Suken A. Shah, MD provides a valuable review of the principles of scoliotic curve classification, which includes the Scoliosis Research Society's adult classification. Throughout his presentation, Dr. Shah's excellent clinical applications draw on the need to develop a standardized classification system to benefit communication, research, and future comparative outcomes.

Featuring lectures, discussion and cadaveric demonstrations addressing:

• Fixation Points: Occiput - C2
• Fixation Points: C3-T2
• Cadaver Demonstration: Fixation points and long construct from skull to T2

Featuring lectures, discussion and cadaveric demonstrations addressing:

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: Decompression
• Minimally Invasive TLIF
• Cadaver Demonstration: Minimally Invasive decompression of stenosis, facetectomy

Featuring lectures, discussion and cadaveric demonstrations addressing:

• ALIF vs TLIF vs PLIF for Anterior Column Support; L5-S1
• Sacral Dome Resection for High Grade Spondylolisthesis
• Cadaver Demonstration: Fixation points L1 to sacrum and pelvis; L5-S1 TLIF, sacral dome resection and extensive decortications

Featuring lectures, discussion and cadaveric demonstrations addressing:

• Wide posterior release, Ponte, asymmetric thoracic PSO for coronal deformity
• Cervicothoracic osteotomy
• Cadaver Demonstration: C7 osteotomy

This online continuing education program is designed to provide orthopaedic and neurological spine surgeons with a review of pedicle anatomy, bone remodeling, and osteoporosis. Also presented are the characteristics of pedicle screws, use indications and contraindications, as well as surgical planning and intra-operative guidance. The surgical challenges and complications, including those related to implantation into osteoporotic bone are further explored and fenestrated screws are presented as a viable solution.

Program objectives provide an understanding of normal spinal anatomy, spinal disorders (whiplash, fracture, scoliosis, spondylolisthesis), how spinal disorders affect function and biomechanics, nonsurgical treatment, and spinal stabilization surgery.

The lumbar musculature is important to spinal stability, balance, weight distribution, static postures, and assists and limits flexion, extension, rotation, side bending, and combinations of movement.  Educational objectives of this program help identify bony and soft tissue lumbar structures, provide information about intervertebral disc function, neural and vascular systems, purpose and types of ligaments, muscle functional groups and their functions and actions.

A comprehensive overview of scoliosis and spinal deformity from "A to Z." Topics covered include spinal anatomy, scoliosis in children and adults, radiographic and other imaging, curve measurement and classification, nonsurgical and surgical treatment, and postoperative care.