Policy Statements

ISASS Policy Statement – Lumbar Artificial Disc   Jack Zigler, MD Texas Back Institute, Plano, TX Rolando Garcia, MD, MPH, FAAOS Orthopedic Care Center, Aventura, FL   This paper was originally published here. A PDF version of this Policy Statement can be accessed here.   Purpose The primary goal of this Policy Statement is to educate patients, physicians, medical providers, reviewers, adjustors, case managers, insurers, and all others involved or affected by insurance coverage decisions regarding lumbar disc replacement surgery. Procedures This Policy Statement was developed by a panel of physicians selected by the Board of Directors of ISASS for their expertise and experience with lumbar TDR. The panel’s recommendation was entirely based on the best evidence-based scientific research available […]

ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS Neuro-Spine Solutions, Bristol, TN Ralph Rashbaum, MD Texas Back Institute, Plano, TX This paper was originally published here. A PDF version of the Policy Statement is available here. Background The sacroiliac (SI) joints are paired diarthrodial articulations of the sacrum and ilium and serve as the connection between the spine and pelvis. The small amount of motion in the joint (2-4 degrees) occurs primarily through nutation and counternutation of the sacrum.¹ There are no muscles that cross solely the SI joint, thus there are no prime movers. Instead, movement is dependent on the articulations and movement within the lumbopelvic hip complex (e.g. flexion at the hip results in […]

ISASS Policy Statement – Cervical Artificial Disc Domagoj Coric, MD Department of Neurosurgery, Carolinas Medical Center, Charlotte, NC USA Original Article Published at: http://dx.doi.org/10.14444/1006 A PDF version of the Policy Statement is available here. Introduction by Morgan Lorio, MD, FACS, Chair, ISASS Coding & Reimbursement Task Force The ISASS Task Force reached out to Domagoj Coric, MD to provide a timely summation on cervical disc arthroplasty given his special interest and recent IASP championship of this innovative technology to ensure enhanced spine patient access. The ISASS Task Force is pleased with this step towards published ISASS societal policy and applauds Dr. Coric’s effort; if ISASS is to continue to succeed we must continually harness the voluntary talents and energies of our members with gratitude. Background […]