Spinal Health Channel

A new study out revealing painful facts about lower back pain

 
 
Dr. Rey Bosita, Jr., MD, MBA, a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute Plano, Flower Mound and Rockwall locations joins eHealth Radio and the Health News & Orthopedic Channels. Dr. Bosita specializes in lumbar and cervical disc surgery.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Rey Bosita discuss the following:
There is a new study out revealing painful facts about lower back pain that has been covered by various media outlets across the world. Reference article here. Your specialty is dispelling anxiety about neck and back pain. I've read that psychology plays a big part in chronic pain, especially chronic back pain. How does your minimally invasive approach help patients deal with pain?
Which tools do you recommend? In your experience, what kind of patients are dealing with lower back pain the most?
What makes a patient a good candidate for orthopedic spine surgery?
Tell me about recent technological and medical advancements in the orthopedic surgery world. How is Texas Back Institute paving the way for innovative minimally invasive surgeries?
Rey Bosita, Jr., MD, MBA, is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon at the Texas Back Institute Plano, Flower Mound and Rockwall locations. He specializes in lumbar and cervical disc surgery.
Dr. Bosita is a proud graduate of Stanford University. He also earned his medical degree from The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine and received his M.B.A. from the prestigious Northwestern University J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management.
He is an avid fund-raiser for the Arthritis Foundation of North Texas. Dr. Bosita focuses on dispelling anxiety about neck and back pain. He tries to empower, educate, and encourage patients in order to get the best possible outcomes through a conservative, minimally invasive approach. Spine surgery is just one of many tools he will use to treat your pain.
Website: https://texasback.com
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Minimally Invasive Back Surgery: Advances and Insights

 
 
The World Health Organization revealed that over 619 million people globally had low back pain and that number has only increased over the  past couple of years.  Lower back pain is also cited as the leading cause of disability for people.  While traditional surgery has existed as a treatment option, medical leaders are such as Dr. Peter Derman of the Texas Back Institute are advancing the use of minimally invasive procedures to help people obtain treatment and relief from back pain.
Joining the program is Dr. Peter Derman, a Minimally Invasive and Endoscopic Spine Surgeon of the Texas Back Institute joins eHealth Radio and the Orthopedic and Spinal Health Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Peter Derman discuss the following:
Dr. Derman, can you tell us what is meant by “minimally invasive” back surgery procedures – and how it differs from other approaches to back pain treatment?
It seems that back pain issues are an increasing concern for U.S. consumers.  Can you tell us a little bit about why Americans are ending up with back pain, and if there is indeed an increase in the number of people with lower back pain issues – why this is happening?
I’d like to circle back to you, Dr. Derman. As a board certified surgeon with an advanced degree in business administration, your credentials are very impressive. Can you tell us how you found your calling as a surgeon in dealing with spinal injury and pain?
Can you share some tips for our listeners on how to avoid spinal injury and back pain?
Finally, can you share with us how a minimally invasive or endoscopic surgery procedure made an impact for one  of your patients?
Dr. Peter Derman, a minimally invasive and endoscopic spine surgeon at Texas Back Institute, graduated with honors from Stanford University after completing a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences. He received his medical degree from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and concurrently obtained a Masters of Business Administration from the Wharton School of Business. Dr. Derman attended the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York for his residency and completed his Fellowship in Spine Surgery from Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, Illinois.
Dr. Derman spends his time helping patients, conducting medical research and exploring ways to better medicine for future generations. Outside of his professional career, he enjoys spending time with his wife and sons. In his personal time, Dr. Derman enjoys staying fit, sailing and brewing craft beer with his wife.
Website: https://texasback.com
Social Media Links: Blog: https://texasback.com/blog  Facebook: https://facebook.com/texasbackinstitute Youtube: https://youtube.com/texasbackinstitute  Instagram: https://instagram.com/texasbackTwitter: https://twitter.com/TexasBack
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Empathy and Medical Excellence: Helping Beno to Stand Tall

 
 
Dr. Isador Lieberman, a fellowship trained Orthopedic and Spinal Surgeon of the Texas Back Institute joins eHealth Radio and the Orthopedic and Health News Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Lieberman discuss the following:
Dr. Lieberman, the story of young Beno and the suffering he endured through scoliosis is heart-breaking – which makes the success of your team’s joint effort to bring him healing surgery even more miraculous. Can you share an overview of this medical and philanthropic journey?
It seems Beno is a very lucky boy. Can you let me know a little bit more about your medical mission to those in need in other countries, and how you and Texas Back institute work together to help those in need?
I understand scoliosis is a curving of the spine, in very casual laymen’s terms. Can you educate us about this condition and how it impacts individuals?
While all surgeries are complicated, the outcome you created for Beno seems nothing short of miraculous. Can you share a bit about your background and how you came to your calling as a surgeon in this arena?
Can you tell us what is next for you and your medical colleagues at Texas Back institute? Is there a country, condition or even an individual patient you’ve set your sights on as your next philanthropic mission of mercy?
Dr. Isador Lieberman, MD, |MBA | FRCSC, Texas Back Institute
Dr. Lieberman is a fellowship trained Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and holds specialist certification from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada. He completed medical school and residency at the University of Toronto and completed Spine surgery and Trauma surgery fellowships at the Toronto Hospital in Canada and at Queen’s Medical Center in Nottingham, England.
Dr. Lieberman specializes in the surgical treatment of spinal disorders. His clinical interests include adolescent and adult scoliosis, deformity reconstruction, spinal tumors, minimally invasive/robotic/endoscopic spinal surgery, treatment of vertebral compression fractures, cervical and lumbar degenerative disorders and trauma. Dr. Lieberman established the Uganda Charitable Spine Surgery Mission which provides services to the less fortunate in Uganda who are afflicted with spinal ailments, including tuberculosis and scoliosis.
Website: https://texasback.com
Social Media Links: Blog: https://texasback.com/blog  Facebook: https://facebook.com/texasbackinstitute Youtube: https://youtube.com/texasbackinstitute  Instagram: https://instagram.com/texasbackTwitter: https://twitter.com/TexasBack
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Summer: Back and Spine Health and Injury Prevention

 
 
Dr. Augustus John (A.J.) Rush, III, MD, an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at the Texas Back Institute, practicing in Dallas and Irving, Texas joins eHealth Radio and the Spinal Health and Health News Channel.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Rush discuss the following:
Summer is associated with sunburns and related heat ailments, but most people aren’t aware that back and spine injury risks rise with the temperatures.  Can you tell us a little bit about why that is?
There certainly are a number of concerns around potential injury during the summer season.  Dr. Rush, are there some general guidelines you can share to help us keep our back and spine safe and pain free during the summer?
I’ve had the opportunity to review both your background and your credentials, research and board certification is extraordinary.  With the proliferation of information on the web, can you help our listeners understand the best way to get information about back and spine care when they have a concern?
While back and spinal injuries can be both serious and consequential at any age, my sense is that children may be at higher risk than suspected – particularly during the summer months.  Can you share some guidance for parents hoping to keep their kids injury free during the remainder of the summer?
I know this is a huge question to ask of you as we near the end of our conversation, but can you share some of the transformative treatments available to people who have suffered back and spine injuries – or are experiencing pain?
Augustus John (A.J.) Rush, III, MD is an Orthopedic Spine Surgeon at the Texas Back Institute, practicing in Dallas and Irving, Texas.
Dr. Rush, a native of Dallas, graduated cum laude from Tulane University in New Orleans. He earned his medical degree from the Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, where he was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society.
Dr. Rush completed an orthopedic surgery residency at Jackson Memorial Hospital/the University of Miami, where he served as Administrative Chief Resident during his final year. He completed his fellowship training in spine surgery at Midwest Orthopedics/Rush University Medical Center in Chicago. He has specialized training in the most up-to-date minimally invasive spine surgery techniques and the use of advanced technology such as augmented reality.
Dr. Rush has authored numerous peer-reviewed publications and book chapters and has lectured at national meetings. His interest in medical education is demonstrated by his reception of the Paff Teaching Award at the University of Miami and the Golden Apple Teaching Award at Rush University. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, the North American Spine Society, and the International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery. He speaks English and Spanish.
Outside of the clinic and operating room, Dr. Rush enjoys spending time with his wife and son, snow skiing, and traveling.
Website: https://texasback.com
Social Media Links: Blog: https://texasback.com/blog  Facebook: https://facebook.com/texasbackinstitute Youtube: https://youtube.com/texasbackinstitute  Instagram: https://instagram.com/texasbackTwitter: https://twitter.com/TexasBack
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From Yesterday’s Six Million Dollar Man to Today’s Artificial Disc Replacement

 
 
Dr. Scott Blumenthal, MD, a Spine Surgeon with the Texas Back Institute and the first and only surgeon in the United States to devote his practice solely to the research and application of artificial disc replacement joins eHealth Radio and the Health News and Spinal Health Channel.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Scott Blumenthal discuss the following:
I understand you are the United States first (and only) surgeon to specialize in the artificial disc replacement medical procedure.  Can you explain what that is and why it is important in the world of spinal health?
On this same note, can you explain what spinal arthroplasty is and why it is different from other spine surgery procedures?
Who would be a good candidate for this type of surgery – and what type of  individual have you most frequently performed spinal arthroplasty on?
I see you are board certified through the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery – what was your journey to becoming such a leading expert in spinal health and surgery?
The holidays and summer are coming – are there back health tips individuals should be paying attention to as they head outdoors?
Scott Blumenthal, MD, is a Spine Surgeon with the Texas Back Institute and the first and only surgeon in the United States to devote his practice solely to the research and application of artificial disc replacement. Dr. Blumenthal was instrumental in bringing artificial disc replacement surgery to the United States after its creation and use in Europe. Dr. Blumenthal is a leader in spinal arthroplasty working with a large number of discs currently on the market and in trials. He serves as a clinical assistant professor of orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern in Dallas and is an ongoing contributor to the first non-profit foundation created for arthroplasty patients.
Dr. Scott Blumenthal graduated from Northwestern Medical School in Chicago and completed his general surgery internship and orthopedic surgery residency at the University of Texas Health Science Center in Dallas, TX. His fellowships include work at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and at Midwest Regional Spinal Cord Injury Care System at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago for spinal trauma surgery.
 
 
Website: https://texasback.com
Social Media Links: Blog: https://texasback.com/blog  Facebook: https://facebook.com/texasbackinstitute Youtube: https://youtube.com/texasbackinstitute  Instagram: https://instagram.com/texasback 
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Medical device company focused on developing restoration treatments for patients with spinal cord-injuries

 
 
Dr. Richard Toselli, CEO of the InVivo Therapeutics Corporation a research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company with a focus on treatment of spinal cord injuries joins eHealth Radio and the Health News & Spinal Health Channels.
 
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Richard Toselli discuss the following:
Can you tell our audience about InVivo Therapeutics and what your company does?
You have an interesting background for a CEO, not a typical one. You’re a former neuro surgeon. Can you tell our audience which has an interest in healthcare and business a bit about your background and how it translates to your current role as CEO of InVivo Therapeutics?
What’s more difficult and challenging being a neuro-surgeon or the ceo of a publicly traded company haha?
You became CEO earlier this year, and reading some news on you and the company it was reported that you have made some major changes with the company under your leadership such as decreasing the cash burn rate, launching a second spinal trial. Can you discuss that and also discuss the second trial as well.
Can you talk a bit about product development with your company and how the process works so our listeners can understand.
The spinal chord industry is constantly evolving and changing. Can you chat a bit about the industry and where it’s going and where your company fits within this industry.
We know wall street is not always patient. How do companies like yours juggle the interests of investors with what you do with research and development and clinical trials etc.
Where do you see this company going in the next 3 to 5 years, what do you hope to accomplish.
 
Prior to joining InVivo, Dr. Toselli served as Chief Medical Officer for Cochlear Limited. In that role, he was responsible for global clinical, regulatory, and medical affairs teams reporting to the CEO. Prior to that, Dr. Toselli served five years at Sanofi in various levels of increasing responsibility, including Vice President of Global Medical Affairs – Immunology and Inflammation, Biologics Division; Vice President of Global Medical Affairs and Head of the Biosurgery Discovery Performance Unit; and Vice President of Global Medical Affairs, Biosurgery.
Before his time at Sanofi, he served as Chief Medical/Technology Officer for Covidien Surgical, and earlier held various roles at DePuy Spine including Director of Medical Affairs, Worldwide Vice President of Research and Development, and Worldwide Vice President of Clinical Evidence and External Relations. He subsequently held the position of Vice President of Evidence-Based Medicine at Johnson & Johnson for the device sector.
Dr. Toselli’s previous academic positions include Assistant Professor at Brown University, Associate Professor, Director of Spine Center, and Associate Chief of Staff at the University of North Carolina (UNC), and Associate Professor at the University of Vermont. He holds a bachelor of arts from Providence College, his medical degree from Brown University, and a masters of business administration from the UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School. Dr. Toselli is a board-certified neurological surgeon.
InVivo Therapeutics Holdings Corporation is a research and clinical-stage biomaterials and biotechnology company with a focus on treatment of spinal cord injuries. The company was founded in 2005 with proprietary technology co-invented by Robert Langer, Sc.D., Professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and Joseph P. Vacanti, M.D., who then was at Boston Children’s Hospital and who now is affiliated with Massachusetts General Hospital. In January 2018, the company announced updated clinical evidence, including improvements in patients with acute spinal cord injury (SCI), from its INSPIRE study of the Neuro-Spinal Scaffold™. The publicly traded company is headquartered in Cambridge, MA.
 
 
Website: www.invivotherapeutics.com

Spine surgeons prefer ApiFix® to treat their adolescent patients’ scoliosis

Ted Bird, the Chairman of ApiFix, a commercial-stage company headquartered in Israel that has developed a minimally invasive alternative for treating scoliosis in kids joins eHealth Radio and the Health Care, News & Scoliosis Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Ted Bird discuss the following:What is Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: AIS?What is ApiFix? Where is it approved for use?Why do spine surgeons prefer ApiFix® to treat their adolescent patients’ scoliosis?Why do adolescent patients prefer that their spine surgeon use ApiFix® to treat their scoliosis?If we know someone who is going to have scoliosis surgery, what should we tell them about ApiFix®?
Duration: 10:53
Ted Bird is Chairman of ApiFix and Chief Development Officer at the Institute for Applied Neurosciences at the Medical University of South Carolina. One of six siblings, he is the son of the late distinguished neuropathologist, Dr. Edward D. Bird, former Medical Director of Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (HBTRC) at McLean Hospital and Professor of Neuropathology at Harvard Medical School. “Dad made a lasting impression on me, that one person can make a big difference in people’s lives. My father’s life work was focused on brain-related hereditary disorders, such as Huntington’s Disease. When I was 10, we moved to the UK, and my father established the world’s first brain tissue bank at Cambridge. Scientists from around the world could study brain-related diseases with specific tissue from my father’s tissue bank. Dad was a role model for the core values of humility, integrity and hard work, and his commitment to patients and their families made me love medicine.”
Ted has nearly 25 years of commercial experience in the spine industry starting in 1991 as Marketing Director with pre-IPO Danek Medical and rising to VP of Marketing, Global Medical Education and Emerging Technologies at Sofamor Danek, which grew from $15 million to $750+ million in annual revenue and was acquired by Medtronic for $3.6 billion in 1999.  He subsequently joined DePuy Spine as VP of Strategic Development. Ted also worked for 7 years at Orthofix, ultimately rising to President of the Spine Fixation Division, transforming it from a $15 million operating loss to breakeven in just 18 months, while launching four significant new products. He is especially proud of spearheading the transformation of Orthofix’s acquisition of Blackstone Medical from a distressed entity with declining sales and a questionable reputation into a profitable, integrity-based spinal implant business.

Website: www.apifix.com

How the AccuraScope Procedure treats chronic back and neck pain

Dr. Basem Abdelfattah, a partner physician with North American Spine that specializes in the AccuraScope Procedure, a minimally invasive approach to treating chronic back pain joins eHealth Radio and Pain Management & Spine Health Channels.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Basem Abdelfattah discuss the following: Talk about what you specialize in and how that equates to the types of patients you treat at North American Spine.The AccuraScope Procedure is becoming an increasingly popular way to treat back pain. Explain how the AccuraScope Procedure works.How is the AccuraScope Procedure different from other minimally invasive procedures?After a patient has the AccuraScope Procedure, what can they expect in the days, weeks, and months afterwards?North American Spine does more than just treat back pain, they also help treat chronic neck pain as well. Talk a little bit about that.
Duration: 9:05
Dr. Basem Abdelfattah (Dr. Basem) is a fellowship-trained Pain Specialist with North American Spine in Dallas, Texas. His goal is to help patients alleviate their chronic back or neck pain, allowing them to live life more fully.
Just as every patient’s pain is different, the causes of pain vary, too. After thoroughly evaluating a patient’s symptoms leading to a diagnosis, Dr. Basem recommends the most effective options for treatment, including minimally invasive surgical procedures. He is committed to patient satisfaction, and patients and families have recognized Dr. Basem for his compassionate bedside manner and professionalism.
Dr. Basem is a partner physician with North American Spine. North American Spine specializes in the AccuraScope Procedure, a minimally invasive approach to treating chronic back pain. North American Spine™ is the exclusive provider of the AccuraScope® Procedure, a minimally invasive spine surgery—which typically lasts less than 45 minutes— to treat chronic back pain. To date, more than 8,000 AccuraScope procedures have been performed by board-certified physicians with specialty training. Medical research has shown that the AccuraScope procedure has an 82% success rate and saves patients an average of $23,190 in out-of-pocket costs over 5 years by reducing expenses including medical visits and medications.
North American Spine physicians are spine experts with specialty training in Orthopedic Spine Surgery, Neurosurgery, or Interventional Pain Management.  Using tiny incisions and state-of-the-art visualization, these experts provide minimally invasive decompression and/or stabilization to patients using the least invasive means possible to alleviate their pain.

Website: www.northamericanspine.com

The holidays can be especially tough on your back with Dr. Alfred O. Bonati

Dr. Alfred O. Bonati, Founder and CEO of The Bonati Spine Institute, that has revolutionized the field of spine surgery joins eHealth Radio and the Spinal Health Channel. Dr. Bonati has created, patented and perfected minimally invasive laser spine surgery called The Bonati Spine Procedures and has successfully treated over 94% of his patients with complete satisfaction.
Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels and guest Dr. Alfred O. Bonati discuss the following: Can the holidays be tough on your back?What do you need to do to be aware of when hanging decorations or preparing for the holidays?If you already have a bad back, what precautions should you take when it comes to the holidays or lifting?If someone hurts their back, what signs lead you to see/visit your doctor?What exactly is The Bonati Spine Procedure and how is it different from other back procedures?
TIP: In summary, whenever taking on a task, especially during this time of year, you need to be careful of your back.  If you already suffer from back pain, have someone help you instead of doing the task like decorating yourself.  In conclusion, if you have any questions with back pain always visit with your doctor.
Duration: 13:39
After researching back, neck and joint pain for many years, and finding poor results and unsatisfied patients, Dr. Alfred O. Bonati revolutionized the field of spine surgery. Dr. Bonati created, patented and perfected minimally invasive laser spine surgery called The Bonati Spine Procedures by applying new methods and techniques including arthroscope and laser instrumentations nonexistent at that time.
As part of the advancement of his procedures, Dr. Bonati developed a new set of treatments based on his work with lasers, e.g., Holmium YAG, and received FDA approval for the use of that laser for the first time on the human spine as part of his patented procedures. Until he came along, there was only traditional invasive open spine surgery. The patented Bonati Spine Procedures are highly successful and reflect over 94% patient satisfaction. More than 45,000 successful procedures have been performed at The Bonati Spine Institute.
In 1981, The Bonati Spine Institute was established in Hudson, Florida. The state-of-the-art facility contains its own imaging center, clinic and operating rooms, and offers access to registered nurses, orthopaedic and neurosurgeons. Dr. Bonati continues to lead the way in the study of laser technologies to treat cervical, thoracic, and lumbar spine problems.
Dr. Bonati is a strong advocate for patient rights and quality medical services. Outside of his professional duty to look after the well-being of his patients, Dr. Bonati seeks to better the lives of the members of his community through his commitment to charitable service.

Website: www.bonati.comFacebook: www.facebook.com/BonatiSpineInstitute
Twitter: @drbonati