Problems viewing this email? Click here to view it in your web browser
spinemonitor: Neck & Back Pain eNewsletter from SpineUniverse.com
spineuniverse.com/professional December 12, 2007
This edition of spinemonitor includes a case presentation by David W. Polly, Jr., MD, with case discussion by Iain Kalfas, MD, and an interview with Sunil Panchal, MD.
New Surgical Case Study
Adjacent Segment Degeneration after Previous Decompression and Fusion
Photo: David W. Polly, Jr., M.D. Case Author:
David W. Polly, Jr., MD
Professor and Chief of Spine Service
University of Minnesota
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery
Minneapolis, MN
History:
The patient is a 59 year-old male, non-smoker, and of acceptable weight level.  The patient presented in 2006 with severe, "unacceptable" low back pain, and early fatigue marked by diminished endurance when walking or standing.  The patient’s Oswestry Disability Index was greater than 50. On presentation, the patient had completed one year of nonoperative treatment, including physical therapy, injections, and non-narcotic and narcotic medication...   

Examination:
Physical examination showed limited lumbar range of motion, and flat back and buttock.  The patient was neurologically intact.

The patient’s AP lumbar X-ray showed solid fusion from the previous surgery and good coronal alignment (Fig. 1).  The lateral X-ray showed L1-L2 disc height loss with anterior and posterior bone spurs...Read Complete Case and View Outcome

X-ray: Solid fusion from previous surgery

Fig. 1: Shows solid fusion from previous surgery and good coronal alignment
Click here for Larger Image

Click Here to Answer
Technology Update (Sponsored by: Biowave)
Advances in Chronic Pain Management

An expert interview with Sunil Panchal, MD, CEO, President, and Founder of the National Institute of Pain. 

Dr. Panchal explains finding the balance between pain relief and side effects is clinically easier while patients receive home therapy with inpatient results.  Considered a viable opioid-sparing approach with a higher carry-over effect, Biowave’s Deepwave® System requires minimal staff-to-patient training and user-friendly controls...Read More

View Complete Article
Happy Holidays:
Because of the holidays, we will not publish a December 26, 2007 issue of spinemonitor.  Look for the next issue on January 9, 2008. Happy Holidays from SpineUniverse!
New Site Features:
SpineUniverse announces its NEW professional news feed and conference highlights areas on the Professional home page. There you will find news from leading medical journals.  Stay tuned as we continue to keep you updated as new features are added to spineuniverse.com.
Your Opinion Counts!
In our effort to make SpineUniverse your destination for continuing education, interactive spine cases, practice marketing, and more - we welcome your comments about ways we can improve our offerings. Click here to make a suggestion, or let us know how we are doing.
Past Spine Cases:

Previously featured spine cases are listed below.  Please feel free to browse each case and vote for your treatment choice.  Voting results are displayed in real time.

Degenerative Disc Disease in a 30 Year-old Female
By: David W. Polly, Jr., MD

Cervical Pseudoarthrosis and Adjacent Level Disease
By: Jason M. Highsmith, MD

Adult Onset Scoliosis
By: Amir A. Mehbod, MD

Spinal Stenosis – Unresponsive to Nonoperative Treatment
By: Jason M. Highsmith, MD

Pseudofusion Dilemma
By: Jason M. Highsmith, MD

Reactive Scoliosis
By: Amir A. Mehbod, MD

Featured Event
ONE Spine: Controversies in Spine Surgery
February 8th – 9th, 2008
Ritz-Carlton Hotel,
Cancun, Mexico
Arthroplasty vs. fusion vs. motion sparing, common adult deformity challenges, aging spine and trauma, candid debates, in-depth case discussions, interactive workshops, and quality surgical videos.		 One Spine Ritz-Carlton Cancun, Mexico Feb 8-9 2007

View Event Details
SpineUniverse Premium Membership
Maximize Your Practice Exposure!
spineuniverse.com premium membership

1) Featured Practice Listing
Move your listing to the top of zip code and keyword search results.

2) Patient Education Handouts
Information Rx Pads allow your patients to research their condition or treatment.

3) 20% off Targeted Advertising
Put your practice in front of patients in your area.

Order Patient Education Handouts

 Patient Education Handouts - Information RX Pads
Information Rx Pads allow you to direct your patients to quality education reviewed by leading spine specialists
SpineUniverse, LLC - 408 Bloomfield Avenue, Suite A - Montclair, NJ 07042 - 973.783.0330
spineuniverse.com

To update your email address and/or practice listing, click here.