Spinal News International e-newsletter

New multicentre databank will evaluate personalised rods

 A team of researchers is planning a multicentre databank to track and evaluate the performance of patient-specific rods (UNiD Rod, Medicrea) in the treatment of scoliosis.

 MIS decompression trumps open laminectomy

 A study has found that, in patients with lumbar spinal stenosis associated with degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis, MIS decompression may offer a better approach than open laminectomy.

 Feature

 Stem cell therapy: Myth or panacea?

 The ability of stem cells to differentiate into a plethora of distinct adult cells has led to great excitement in both scientific literature and lay media. Wellington Hsu (Evanston, USA) and Mark Erwin (Toronto, Canada) evaluate the science behind the hype.

 Product news

 Fracture rates plummet with personalised rods

 A new White Paper from Medicrea has revealed very significant rod fracture reduction for the UNiD technology in comparison to traditional rods.

 US FDA clears EOI’s FLXfit15 expandable cage

 Expanding Orthopedics Incorporated (EOI) has received US clearance for the FLXfit15, which offers adjustable expansion and lordosis correction of up to 4mm and 15 degrees.

 Spineology initiates full release of Elite expandable interbody

 The Elite expandable interbody fusion system implant is inserted into the lumbar disc space at its minimum height and is then expanded to restore anatomic disc height.

 Events

 11–13 October

 EUROSPINE

 Dublin, Ireland

 25–28 October

 NASS

 Orlando, Florida

 15–17 October

 SPCH

 Plzeň, Czech Republic

 2–3 November

 SBPR

 Northampton, UK

 24–26 October

 ISCOS

 Dublin, Ireland

 10 November

 DSS

 Rotterdam, The Netherlands