Ep. 09 Mentorship Meets Innovation in Spine Surgery: Creating a Path to Better Care, Richard V. Chua, MD, FAANS, FACS

In this episode of The Spine Pod, hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf explore the transformative power of technology in spine surgery with Dr. Richard Chua. As a leading neurosurgeon and professor at Banner University Medical Center in Tucson, AZ, Dr. Chua discusses how minimally invasive surgery (MIS), robotics, and motion preservation are changing the landscape of spine care, offering patients quicker recoveries and improved long-term outcomes. He shares his personal journey into medicine, from his early years being inspired by his father to becoming a pioneer in the field of spine surgery. Dr. Chua also highlights the importance of clinical education and training in the adoption and advancement of new technologies in spine care.

Dr. Chua continues the conversation by discussing how spine surgery is becoming more personalized to match the treatment options to patients’ individual needs. The conversation wraps up with Dr. Chua talking about the philanthropic endeavours he is currently pursuing overseas with the Nepal Spine Foundation, founded by Richard Wohns, which provides education and training for local medical providers to improve access to care to the local population of Nepal.

In this episode you’ll learn about:

• How multiple technologies, including robotics, navigation, and motion preservation, are coming together to provide a higher level of patient care in spine surgery
• The importance of clinical education and training in the adoption of novel technologies
• How introspection and self-reflection can help improve surgical care
• The necessity of data aggregation and pre-operative planning to provide more personalized treatment options for spine patients
• Where spinal fusion fits into the modern spine care continuum and where motion-preserving implants provide a viable alternative
• The value of role models and mentors in advancing spine surgery outcomes

Whether you’re seeking out information on innovative technologies, spine treatment options, or life advice - Dr. Chua provides a wealth of knowledge and insight that you won’t want to miss.

Learn more about Dr. Chua and Banner University Medical Center:

• Website: https://doctors.bannerhealth.com/provider/richard-chua/2117141
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-v-chua-md-faans-facs-051b7940/

You can find The Spine Pod on all Podcast Streaming Platforms, including:

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In this episode of The Spine Pod, orthopedic surgeon Dr. Christopher Good, President and CEO of the Virginia Spine Institute (VSI), sits down with hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf to discuss his multi-faceted and holistic approach to spine care. Dr. Good explains how his practice integrates multiple specialties under one roof to offer comprehensive, patient-centered spine treatment. Inspired in his early childhood years by family experiences, Dr. Good has become a leader in the spine industry, driving innovative approaches in spine surgery, encompassing minimally invasive techniques, motion preserving implants, regenerative medicine, navigation and robotics. He discusses how these innovative technologies are playing complementary roles in the operating room and how they are coming together to enhance the future of spine care. Dr. Good wraps up the conversation by sharing his personal journey in health and wellness with his ‘Good Family Initiative’ (G5) that promotes excellence and quality of life in his own family outside of his practice.

In this episode, you’ll learn about:

• The benefit of a multidisciplinary team and how collaboration allows for a more holistic approach to spine care
• The importance of patient education on the adoption and accessibility of novel technologies
• How advanced technologies – motion preservation devices, MIS approaches, regenerative medicine, and robotics – are coalescing to provide safer, improved surgical options for spine patients
• The importance of surgeon specialization and proper training with new technologies to drive better long-term patient outcomes
• The varying factors that contribute to the creation and growth of new devices and surgical techniques in spine care

How defining pre-operative and post-operative patient goals helps guide the decision-making process in spine treatment.

From his early experiences with his father’s spine care journey to his current role as the CEO of VSI, Dr. Good's lifelong dedication to patient-centered care and his vision for the future of spine surgery is laying the foundation for improved patient outcomes. Whether you’re a patient struggling with leg and/or back pain, an industry professional or a surgeon, Dr. Good’s insights into the future of spine care make this an episode you won't want to miss.

Learn more about Dr. Good and VSI:

• Website: https://www.spinemd.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.chris_good/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/VirginiaSpineInstitute
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vsi_spine
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VirginiaSpineInstitute
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drchristopher-good/

Watch this episode on all Podcast platforms, and stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on The Spine Pod.

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcA8vODr8pDabWImOrHv3ZQ
• Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0DBzWfVt1ExQE0qTjhOERa?si=P2WUmAbFSmORUvd3PH0s5A&nd=1&dlsi=842b910ca7704b44
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Ep. 05 - The Intersection: Motion Preservation & Complex Spine Surgery, Alan Daniels, MD & Bassel Diebo, MD

On this episode of The Spine Pod, we dive into the synergistic nature of complex spine surgery and motion-preserving techniques driving innovative options and enhanced patient outcomes. Dr. Alan Daniels and Dr. Bassel Diebo, renowned complex spine surgeons at University Orthopedics in Rhode Island, sit down and share their compelling journeys to becoming leaders in spine care, blending academic excellence and practical innovation to drive the highest-quality care in their practice. As members of the ISSG (International Spine Study Group) and generating a combined 500+ publications and 1,000+ podium presentations, Dr. Daniels and Dr. Diebo provide extensive research experience to shed light on the newest techniques and procedures driving the future of spine care.

This episode explores the role of sagittal balance, alignment, and motion preservation in long-term patient outcomes, the importance of a holistic, whole-body approach in spine care, and the necessity of patient education and clinical training in providing novel treatment options. The conversation concludes with a focus on the future of spine care, including the potential for motion preservation and arthroplasty. From complex deformity cases to the latest advancements in motion preservation, learn how their collaborative approach is pushing the boundaries of spine care.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How motion-preserving techniques are being incorporated into complex spine and deformity procedures.
• The significance of restoring alignment and balance and preserving natural motion in spine surgery.
• The role of hybrid motion constructs and their long-term benefits for patients.
• The importance of understanding adjacent joints - the knees, hips, pelvis, and ankles, when treating spine conditions.
• The role of patient education in providing and scaling new treatment options.
• The necessity of pairing functional metrics with patient reported outcomes and radiographic measures to evaluate post-operative success.

Join us as we delve into the intersection of motion preservation and complex spine surgery, discovering how these two experts integrate innovative techniques from both motion preservation and spinal fusion to enhance patient care. Tune in as Dr. Daniels and Dr. Diebo, alongside co-hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf, discuss the rapidly-evolving landscape of spine surgery.

Learn more about Dr. Daniels, Dr. Diebo, and University Orthopedics:

• University Orthopedics: https://universityorthopedics.com/about_us/spine.html
• Alan Daniels: wwwhttps://universityorthopedics.com/physicians/daniels/index.html
• Bassel Diebo: https://www.adultscoliosissurgery.com/

Watch this episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and stay tuned for more enlightening conversations on The Spine Pod.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcA8vODr8pDabWImOrHv3ZQ

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/1RKbtJesvDCf5GQBKYcAfm

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Ep 04 - Who’s The Best? Surgeon Rankings, Malaligned Incentives, & Cost Transparency: Ahilan "Siva" Sivaganesan, MD Part 2

If you missed part I with Dr. Ahilan Sivaganesan: Where’s The Money? Health Economics, Motion Preservation, & Value-Based Care you can find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-spine-pod/id1745442311?i=1000657800891

In this episode of The Spine Pod, hosts Brady Riesgraf and Courtney Schutze sit back down with Dr. Ahilan “Siva” Sivaganesan to analyze the health economics that are driving cost decisions and surgical options in the operating room. This is the second part of a two-part series that explores the critical issues facing innovation in spine care and the role health economics plays in getting new procedures to patients who need them most. Dr. Siva shares his insights on the perverse incentives that can drive care decisions, how we can start to objectively measure surgeons and centers providing care, and the importance of motion-preserving surgeries in possibly reducing long-term costs to patients, payers, and society as a whole.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The complexities of identifying the best surgeons and hospitals and the metrics that matter.
• How opposing incentives in healthcare impact patient care and outcomes.
• The true personal and societal costs of spinal fusion and strategies to reduce expenses.
• The role of Time-Driven Activity-Based Costing in enhancing care efficiency.
• The creation of value-based care practices and the future of spine care and improved reimbursement models.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Dr. Siva’s extensive research and practical experience, offering a comprehensive view of the evolving landscape of spine care. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, patient, or curious about medical innovations, this episode is a must-listen.

Don’t miss this episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts. Stay tuned for more insights into advancing health economics and patient-centered care.

*Dr. Ahilan Sivaganesan is currently transitioning to Naples, FL, to help the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) launch its new spine program and continue his research in health economics and patient-centric care.

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Ep 03 - Where’s The Money? Healthcare Economics, Motion Preservation, and Value-Based Care, Part 1: Ahilan "Siva" Sivaganesan, MD

In this episode of The Spine Pod, we dive deep into the complex landscape of spine surgery with Dr. Ahilan "Siva" Sivaganesan, a minimally-invasive / endoscopic neurosurgeon and health economics expert at Thomas Jefferson University. Join us as we explore the cutting-edge advancements in motion preservation surgery and patient-centric care models, and how these innovations are transforming health economics in spine care.

Dr. Siva shares his unique journey from a background in statistics to becoming a pioneering spine surgeon, shedding light on his groundbreaking work that challenges traditional healthcare models. Discover how his approach to health economics is revolutionizing patient outcomes and reducing costs.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• The importance of motion preservation techniques in spine surgery.
• How patient-centric care models are enhancing treatment outcomes.
• The impact of health economics on healthcare decisions and the patient journeys.
• Data-driven examples of cost-effective treatments and their benefits for patients.
• The influence on Time-Driven Activity Based Costing on driving more efficient care.

Tune in to gain valuable insights from Dr. Siva’s extensive health economics research, and understand how these advancements are paving the way for a more efficient and effective healthcare system. Whether you're a patient, healthcare professional, or simply curious about the future of spine care, this episode offers a comprehensive look at the intersection of medical innovation and economic efficiency.

Don't miss Part 2, where we delve into Dr. Siva’s detailed research and visual data analysis, providing a deeper understanding of the cost factors that influence spine care.

Watch this episode on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts, and stay tuned for the continuation of this conversation around improving health economics and patient-centric care models.

*Dr. Ahilan Sivaganesan currently practices at Thomas Jefferson University, but is making the move to Naples, FL to help the Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) launch its new spine program and continue to drive his research in health economics and patient-centric care.

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Join us on this episode of the Spine Pod with Dr. Avinash Patwardhan as we discuss the fundamental components of spine biomechanics and the driving principles behind why restoring natural motion in the spine is the key to long-term successful outcomes and improved quality of life for patients seeking spine care.

Dr. Avinash Patwardhan is a professor at the Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine and a world-renowned biomechanical engineer and researcher who has made significant contributions to the field of spine surgery. His work on sagittal balance and alignment, motion preservation, spinal kinematics and the follower load model has placed him at the forefront of biomechanics in the spine community for nearly 50 years, with more than 300 publications to date.

Over the last twenty years, Dr. Patwardhan has committed his research to the advancement of motion preservation devices, including cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement and lumbar total joint replacement. His research lab at the Edward Hines Jr. VA Hospital has played a major role in testing the safety and efficacy of many motion-preserving devices used in spine care in the United States today.

Listen as Dr. Patwardhan talks about the evolution of motion-preserving devices in spine surgery, highlighting the importance of understanding the biomechanical principles of the native spine and the impact that fusion can have on adjacent segments. He also discusses his early work with the first ever artificial disc approved in the United States, the Charité disc, and the challenges faced in developing and testing new motion-preserving devices throughout his career. Dr. Patwardhan wraps up the conversation by emphasizing the importance of patient selection and his future vision of utilizing both radiographic and pre- and postoperative clinical data to improve surgical outcomes.

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