Orthopaedic Spine Research

Our Orthopaedic Spine Surgeons integrate research into their clinical care. Many of their works are now referenced nationally and globally in relation to orthopaedic spinal disorders. More information can be found on the International Spine Study Group (ISSG) may be found online at SpineDeformityBlog.com.

Our team collaborates with many different departments and specialties in their research endeavors.

Some of the current studies can be found below.

Current Studies

PON STUDY

Prospective, Multi-Center Adult Spinal Deformity Outcomes Database Registry

Identify predictive coronal and sagittal radiographic features that differentiate non-operative from operative patients, stratifying by age.
Identify predictive clinical features in non-operative and operative patients, stratifying by age.
Identify predictive factors in HRQL measures utilizing the ODI, SRS-22r, VAS, and SF-36 outcomes tools, stratifying by age.
Assessment of perioperative complications and risks in adult deformity surgery
Evaluate efficacy of limited operative procedures for adult deformity
Evaluate perioperative blood transfusion requirements, practice and associated complications for adult deformity surgery
Evaluate the cost effectiveness of surgical intervention for improving pain and function compared with non-operative management, stratifying by age
Identify the incidence of psychiatric distress (PD) among all patients with adult spinal deformity treated by spinal deformity surgeons
To identify the incidence of patients who develop PD after adult spinal deformity surgery and to evaluate their pre-operative profile
To compare pre-operative and post-operative incidence of psychological distress among revision versus primary adult deformity spine surgery (ADSS)
Evaluate the maintenance of curve correction following surgical instrumentation

CERVICAL DEFORMITY STUDY

Prospective Radiographic and Clinical Evaluation of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Deformity: A Multi-Center Study

Specific Aims:

Define clinical and demographic features of the population afflicted with cervical deformity (e.g., age, gender, comorbidities, disability, health related quality of life)
Assess for correlations between radiographic parameters and degree of disability/pain at baseline
Assess and describe surgical strategies used to address cervical deformity
Assess the role/utility of preoperative traction in surgery for cervical deformity
Define complications and rates of complications (perioperative and delayed) associated with the surgical treatment of cervical deformity
Assess the role/need for pre/post-operative tracheostomy and PEG
Define baseline swallowing function, compare with postoperative function, and assess for changes over two-year follow up interval (based on CSRS SWAL-QOL)
Evaluate and compare radiographic changes of sagittal spinal alignment (focal, regional, and global) and pelvic parameters pre and post cervical deformity surgery.
Develop predictive formulas of post-operative alignments based on surgical techniques employed for correction
Identify risk factors related to poor clinical outcomes
Define potential impact of complications on clinical/radiographic outcomes
Determine reoperation rates over two-year follow-up period
Assess change in subaxial alignment after occiput to C2 fusion
Assess the effect of C1-2 lordosis and C1-2 fusion on subaxial alignment and outcome
Assess outcomes of long fusions involving the occiput related to head center of gravity and regional and global balance
Assess outcomes of occipital-cervical-thoracic fusion on cervical alignment and global alignment
Evaluate clinical outcomes (up to 2 years) following cervical deformity surgery.

INTEGRA PROSPECTIVE/RETROSPECTIVE ARM

All patients in follow-up phase only.

PAIN TOLERANCE STUDY

The study aims to compare postoperative narcotic consumption with a subjective preoperative pain tolerance assessment completed by surgical subjects. Measured outcomes will include postoperative narcotic consumption, and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) scores.

The patient will complete the back pain questionnaire. The physician will document daily VAS scores and narcotic consumption till the day of discharge. Daily physical therapy goals and nurses comments will also be documented.

DISC DEGENERATION STUDY

This project aims to correlate changes at the cellular-, tissue-, and joint-level by evaluating changes in the biochemical composition and the mechanical function of the tissue with injury and degeneration. The aim of this project is to develop engineered disc tissue in the laboratory using disc cells from diseased tissue. That is, we plan to collect discarded tissue from spinal surgery and reprogram the cells in the laboratory to regrow healthy tissue. We hypothesize that growth factor priming can we hypothesize with the appropriate mechanical loading environment in three-dimensional culture; we will be able to develop engineered disc tissues with similar tissue composition as the healthy native tissue. be used to reprogram disc cells to a ‘healthier’ condition.

LOW GRADE SPONDYLOLISTHESIS STUDY

Operative Treatment of Adult Low Grade Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: Evaluation of Treatment Strategies, Radiographic Parameters, and Patient Outcomes

Specific Aims:

To determine the importance of segmental sagittal alignment in the treatment outcomes of adult low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis
Evaluate the health related quality of life (HRQOL) outcomes and complication rates associated with treatment of adult low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis
Evaluate symptoms that are most responsive to surgical treatment for adult low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis including leg and back pain, and identify treatment strategies that are most effective in relieving corresponding symptoms
Evaluate cost effectiveness for different surgical treatment strategies for adult low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis
Evaluate the clinical and radiographic outcomes of minimally invasive surgery (MIS; defined as percutaneous placed lumbar pedicle screws with or without use of interbody fusion) for adult low grade lumbar spondylolisthesis
To evaluate whether pelvic incidence and morphotype classification can be used to determine ideal segmental alignment targets

HIGH DEFINITION VIDEO STUDY

The Role of High Definition Video in Resident Education for Distal Radius Fracture Fixation

To validate the ability of high definition video recorded surgical exercises as an objective structured assessment of surgical skill and to introduce a standardized teaching curriculum to the clinical competency of distal radius internal fixation.

CERVICAL RADIOGRAPHIC PARAMETERS and VARIABILITY in T1 SLOPE-RETROSPECTIVE CHART REVIEW-PILOT STUDY

To assess radiographic measurements on standing cervical and scoliosis radiographs.

To implement the correlation of the radiographic parameters in planning the surgical method.

BIOMECHANICAL EFFECTS AND TISSUE ENGINEERING OF FACET JOINTS