At the 20th Annual Spine, Orthopedic + Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference, attendees gathered to hear the Semi-Keynote session on “The Next Frontier of Spinal Fusions.”
It was moderated by Molly Gamble, Vice President of Editorial at Becker's Healthcare. The session featured Vivek Mohan, MD, MS, a spine surgeon at Orthopaedic Spine Institute, Michael Conti Mica, MD, a spine surgeon at Duly Health and Care and Ali Mesiwala, MD, a spine surgeon at DISC Sports and Spine Center.
Key Takeaways:
- Shift to Outpatient Procedures
The pandemic has shifted the ratios in favor of outpatient procedures for spinal fusions. This change benefits both patients and doctors.
- Increasing Popularity of Spinal Fusions
Advancements in technology have made spinal fusions more popular and insurance companies have become stricter in their criteria for approving the procedure.
- Strategies to Minimize Recovery Periods
Preoperative protocols, reasonable expectations, and post-operative recovery techniques can minimize recovery periods for patients undergoing spinal fusions.
- Technological Advancements that Can Replace Spinal Fusions
Technologies like Three Spine's implant and Top System's preset joint replacement are already being approved by the FDA and may provide options for patients instead of going through a fusion.