All GLG News Analyses Filed Under: Orthopaedics

The Impliant TOPS-on-Fusion (TM) device has received CE Mark approval.The system allows the surgeon to avoid fusing 2 levels.

The annoying life style symptoms that accompany this drug, Humira, may only be tolerated if the disease is totally debilitating the patient.The persistent cough and flu like symptoms I see my arthritis patients exhibiting, are tough to live with.

- Smith and Nephew's patent on intramedullary hip screws was upheld.- However, it is difficult to enforce and Synthes has not taken any products off of the market. 

To evaluate further the role of surgery vs. medical treatment.  

The current data regarding efficacy of spinal fusion does not justify any changes in clinical practice.   There is insufficient data, new or old, to change reimbursement patterns for spinal surgery.The publication of the SPORT study (the fusion cohort of patients) in the next two years...

Once released on the market, this device will be a major competitor for the X-STOP which was recently approved by the FDA.There is a large group of patients with mild to moderate lumbar spinal stenosis who might benefit from this technology.

The X-STOP device, and other intespinous spacers, may replace conventional surgery for a large number of patients with lumbar spinal stenosis.More studies, long term follow-up, and comparison to current surgical options will still need to be assessed prior to making spacers standard treat...

The conclusion of the SPORT study comes short of favoring one treatment over another. One thing that was clear from the study was the equivalence of the two treatment options.This study has no implications on cost of care, as the differential cost of the two treatment options was not studied. This study,...

The study groups will only find that more data are needed, and a change in Medicare coverage will not change practice.

From our daily practice, we see a lot of patients with herniated lumbar disc. The article underlines that non-operative and surgical therapy seem to have near equal chances in the therapy of the condition.  The study design and methods appear to be appropriate to this orthopedic surgeon, and...