News

May 15, 2015

Published by Liz Vogt at May 15, 2015

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Public Policy

Policy & Advocacy

ISASS Policy & Advocacy The current environment for spine surgeons and their patients is challenging. Mergers and downward pressure from payers on coverage and reimbursement for spinal surgeries is making it harder for patients to receive medically indicated surgical care and more difficult for new technology and techniques to emerge. We hear these stories every day from our members, and many of them wonder, who is representing us and our patients? Who is fighting to ensure that patients have access to the spine care they need? Who is advocating for patient access to newer, better technologies? We also hear that currently there is not one strong, unified voice of leadership within the surgical spine community, and that spine surgeons need to […]

April 16, 2015

Published by ISASS at April 16, 2015

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News

Announcing ISASS15 Award Winning Papers

ISASS is pleased to announce this year’s award winning papers. Sponsored by Dr. and Mrs. Hansen Yuan Best overall Paper, The ISASS Leon Wiltse Award #100: Minimally Invasive SI Joint Fusion Using Triangular Implants vs. Non-surgical Management of Chronic SI Joint Dysfunction: Results of a Prospective Multicenter Randomized Trial Presenting Author: Peter Whang, MD Best Clinical Paper, The Charles D. Ray Award #498: Predictors of Revision Surgery in Adult Spinal Deformity and Impact on Patient-reported Outcomes and Satisfaction – 2-year Follow-up Presenting Author: Cyrus Jalai Best Basic Science Paper #362: Intervertebral Kinematics Correlate with T2 Relaxation Times in the Lower Human Cervical Spine Presenting Author: Thomas Cha, MD Best Poster #46: Comparison of One-level versus Two-level Anterior Cervical Discectomy and […]

March 15, 2015

Published by Liz Vogt at March 15, 2015

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Policy Statements

ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (March 2015)

ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (March 2015) Updated March 15, 2015 (This supplements the ISASS Policy Statement – Minimally Invasive Sacroiliac Joint Fusion (2014)) A PDF version of the policy statement is available here. Morgan P. Lorio, MD, FACS Neuro-Spine Solutions, Bristol, TN Introduction The sacroiliac joint (SIJ) is a cause of chronic lower back pain. SI joints are paired diarthrodial articulations of the sacrum and ilium. The SI joint serves as the biomechanical mediator between the spine and pelvis. The subchondral bone, capsule, and surrounding ligaments of the SIJ are innervated by spinal nerves.(1) Because SIJ pain can be confused with lumbar and hip pain, proper diagnosis of SIJ pain is key to appropriate patient management. […]

March 12, 2015

Published by Liz Vogt at March 12, 2015

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ISASS Policy Statement – Lumbar Artificial Disc

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 […]