Issue link: https://beckershealthcare.uberflip.com/i/1537194
13 ORTHOPEDICS next 10 years. For instance, with the push to perform more minimally invasive surgery, navigated/robotic decompression and instrumentation and advances in anesthesia techniques enabling expanded awake surgery indications are quickly gaining popularity. Augmented and virtual reality are also on the horizon with the promise of increased precision, reduced complications, and enhanced patient safety. is will require a migration from ergonomically awkward head mounted devices, steep learning curves, and lack of ability to simulate physical touch. While much of the progress in spine surgery over the last century has revolved around hardware innovations, the next century will be dominated by soware innovations. Patient engagement through telemedicine and remote patient monitoring skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic and are now part of standard practice for a sizeable number of spine surgeons. Ease of obtaining telehealth privileges in multiple states through initiatives such as the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact has also elevated its appeal. Predictive analytics and technologies such as AI and machine learning have emerged as tools positioned to produce a paradigm shi in multiple aspects of care. is includes patient selection for specific spinal procedures, preoperative workup, outcome prediction, as well assisting in the detection of difficult to visualize spinal fractures and malignancies. Christian Zimmerman, MD. St. Alphonsus Medical Group and SAHS Neuroscience Institute (Boise, Idaho): To my understanding, both management of complex spinal disorders and healthcare delivery will be fashioned around a number of trends as we see them currently implemented. Technological advancements presently utilized, as AI will further streamline process and outcome driven surgical choice for patient and surgeon alike. Innovative care models based on cost- shiing will likely become clearer especially in regard to the most complex of diagnosis and treatment. Health-literacy prevalence and acknowledgment will drive the consumer-centric care and its expectations. Larger health-systems will remain centers of more complex care delivery, as these patient flow patterns of economics and intricacy will become more demarcated. Cynicism aside, healthcare cost will continue to rise, demand will increase with an aging populace, therefore giving rise to more socio-economic challenges like exclusion and more fragmented care. n New 360-degree arthroplasty a 'shift in the culture of spine' By Carly Behm J ared Ament, MD, and Amir Vokshoor, MD, of Santa Monica-based Neurosurgery & Spine Group performed the world's first clinical case combining Premia Spine's Tops and Centinel Spine Prodisc-L implants. The 360-degree arthroplasty was used to treat a 36-year- old man with grade III spondylolisthesis, according to a June 2 news release shared with Becker's. Prodisc-L was used to replace a disc, and the Tops implant was used for facet joint replacement. It enables anterior and posterior stabilization while maintaining natural motion. Three months after the 36-year-old's surgery, he reported full resolution of back and leg pain, and his quality of life scores increased. "360 Arthroplasty reflects a paradigm shift in how we think about spine care," Dr. Vokshoor said in the release. "We're combining precision technology with a philosophy centered on functional preservation and patient empowerment. This isn't just a procedure; it's a movement, a shift in the culture of spine surgery." n Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center's major merger: 6 things to know By Claire Wallace J ackson-based Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center said it plans to add Oxford (Miss.) Ortho & Sports Medicine and the Orthopaedic Institute of North Mississippi in Tupelo under its brand on Aug. 4. e new partnership, detailed in a June 3 news release, will form the largest network of orthopedic specialists in the state. Here are six additional things to know about the merger, according to a June 5 news release: 1. All locations and physicians currently practicing at Oxford Ortho and the Orthopaedic Institute will be retained, and will now operate under the MSMOC brand. 2. Following the merger, MSMOC will feature 32 physicians, 33 advanced practice providers and 18 locations. 3. MSMOC has treated patients in the area for over 40 years, with 21 specialists offering sports medicine, spine care, joint reconstruction and hand surgery. 4. e new practice is partnered with orthopedic management services organization U.S. Orthopaedic Partners, which currently supports 10 systems in the Southeast U.S. 5. Oxford Ortho and OINMS have served patients in the area for decades, providing sports medicine, joint care and general orthopedics. 6. rough the partnership, USOP hopes to help area patients gain access to a larger network of subspecialty colleagues, research opportunities and shared innovations. n