2012 Press Releases
4/16/12
“Illuminating” Study Highlights Depression as Predictor in Revisional Spine
Surgery Outcomes
What if a spine surgeon could predict patient outcomes by doing a simple, pre-op psychological test? A longitudinal study published in the March 2012 issue of The Spine Journal has put that theory to the test.
1/19/12
Must-Have Tool for Spine Practices Available
NASS Releases “2012 Common Coding Scenarios” Guide
To help spine care providers streamline paperwork and receive timely and accurate reimbursements, the North American Spine Society (NASS) just released its 2012 Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care.
2011 Press Releases
2011 Annual Meeting Press Releases
10/4/11
The Spine Journal Announces Editorial Changes to Protect Scientific Integrity and
Public Trust
After shining a critical light on the limitations of industry-sponsored, published research in its June focus issue on recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), The Spine Journal has announced changes to its own editorial processes. The modifications are designed to protect the integrity of scientific publishing.
8/26/11
The Spine Journal Increases Impact Factor and Earns National Award
The Spine Journal has earned an impressive Impact Factor of 3.024, making it the top-rated spine publication in the world. Impact Factors are based on the number of times the average article in a journal is cited in other journals and provides a gross approximation of a publication’s prestige.
8/3/11
The Spine Journal Statement on Medtronic/Yale Research Project
In response to research published in the June 2011 issue of The Spine Journal and investigations by the US Senate Finance Committee and the US Department of Justice, Medtronic , Inc. has announced a $2.5 million grant to Yale University to independently review the safety and effectiveness of its rhBMP-2 product.
6/28/11
The Spine Journal Calls for End to “Years of Living Dangerously” in Promotion of Bone Growth Factors
In a bold move, the nation's leading spine journal is shining a critical light on the limitations of industry-sponsored research and is bolstering transparency initiatives to protect the integrity of scientific publishing. The June issue of The Spine Journal is dedicated to a review of recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), a controversial synthetic bone growth product often used in spine fusion surgeries.
6/28/11
Evolving Safety Profile of rhBMP-2 Revealed in Study
A critical review of 13 industry-sponsored studies on a spine surgery product found that the actual risk of adverse events was 10 to 50 times the estimates originally reported. The product in question is recombinant bone morphogenetic protein-2 (rhBMP-2), a controversial synthetic bone growth factor often used as a bone graft substitute in spine fusion surgeries.
5/24/11
Study Urges Spine Surgeons to Counsel Male Patients on Risk of Infertility with BMP Fusion Procedure
Spine surgeons should counsel their male patients who are considering a particular spinal fusion procedure about the risk of infertility, say the authors of a new study. The findings are published in the June 2011 issue of The Spine Journal, the international multidisciplinary scientific journal of the North American Spine Society (NASS).
5/2/11
NASS Offers Specific Proposals to Improve Patient Care and Reduce Medicare Spending
In a letter responding to a request from the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, the North American Spine Society (NASS) carefully laid out recommendations for a physician reimbursement system that will accurately cover the cost of providing health care to our nation’s seniors, while maintaining and promoting access to the high-quality specialty care that our nation has provided for generations.
2/24/11
NASS Releases 2011 Common Coding Scenarios Guide
To help spine care providers streamline paperwork and receive more accurate reimbursement, the North American Spine Society (NASS) just released its 2011 Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care.
2/14/11
Controversial Study Suggests Chronic Lower Back Pain Could Be Managed with Disc Steroid Injections
In what may be a landmark study, researchers report short-term pain relief with intradiscal steroid injections—a minimally-invasive, nonsurgical therapy—that could alleviate chronic lower back pain (CLBP) for millions of people worldwide. The findings are published in the February 2011 issue of The Spine Journal, an international multidisciplinary scientific journal of the North American Spine Society (NASS).
2010 Press Releases
10/8/10
North American Spine Society Statement on Vertebroplasty Guidelines
NASS reviewed two studies on vertebroplasty by Buchbinder et al and Kallmes et al shortly after they were published in the August 6, 2009 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine. Based on the evidence at the time, NASS responded with comments calling for a "thorough and systematic review of all the literature in order to better define the subgroup of patients for which vertebroplasty might be most appropriate.”
9/17/10
NASS Expresses Support for Dr. David Cohen
The North American Spine Society today expressed support of NASS member David Cohen, MD, MPH, who was the victim of a shooting yesterday at Johns Hopkins Hospital.
9/14/10
NASS celebrates 25 years of delivering quality spine care
The North American Spine Society, the leading multidisciplinary spine organization worldwide, will celebrate 25 years of providing quality spine care at its upcoming Annual Meeting. The meeting will be held October 5-9 in the West Building of the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.
8/26/10
North American Spine Society Releases New Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy from Degenerative Disorders
The North American Spine Society (NASS) has released a new Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline, Diagnosis and Treatment of Cervical Radiculopathy from Degenerative Disorders.
6/3/10
In Memoriam: NASS Mourns Loss of Henry H. Bohlman, MD
The North American Spine Society (NASS) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Henry H. Bohlman, MD.
4/8/10
NASS Joins the Texas Medical Association's Million-Signature Campaign to Stop Medicare Meltdown
The National Association of Spine Specialists, the advocacy arm of The North American Spine Society, today joined numerous state medical societies and specialty societies to participate in the Texas Medical Association’s Million-Signature Campaign to Stop the Medicare Meltdown. The goal of the petition drive is to gather 1 million signatures from physicians and patients, sending a united message to Congress and the president to develop a rational Medicare physician payment system in order to preserve Medicare patients’ access to care.
3/23/10
NASS Survey Finds Physicians Ready to Make Major Changes in Medicare Practices
In a survey published by the North American Spine Society (NASS), as many as 24 percent of spine care physicians participating in Medicare indicated they will no longer participate in the program if the mandated reductions in Medicare reimbursement to physicians occur later this year. Additionally, more than one-third of those surveyed would opt out of Medicare for two years and privately contract with Medicare patients.
2/24/10
NASS Releases 2010 Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care
The North American Spine Society (NASS) today released their annual coding publication, 2010 Common Coding Scenarios for Comprehensive Spine Care. Using CPT® codes of the 22000 series and 63000 series, the spine care specific coding guide features correct coding for common surgical procedures performed for degenerative disease, deformity and fracture. The guide also includes correct coding for common medical procedures for injection, pain management, radiology and electrodiagnostic procedures.
2/18/10
NASS Winter Sports Tips for Spine Health
With the 2010 Winter Olympics well underway in Vancouver, children and adults worldwide are watching the exciting festivities and cheering their country to victory. For some, however, the Olympic spirit will ignite a passion within to take up a winter sport of their own. “Getting active outside during winter is an excellent way to exercise and help those cold months pass by faster. While year round exercise is recommended for overall spine health, winter sporting activities come with some degree of injury risk,” said Lincoln Likness, DO, North American Spine Society (NASS) member and Cleveland Clinic Center for Spine Health Physician.
1/15/10
NASS Highlights Sweeping Disclosure Policy Reforms
The North American Spine Society (NASS) today responded to Senator Charles Grassley’s December request concerning disclosure of financial relationships between medical device and pharmaceutical industries, physicians and professional medical associations. Grassley (R-IA) on December 7, 2009 sent letters to 33 health care organizations asking for information on financial backing they may have received from the pharmaceutical, medical device and insurance industries over the past three years.
2009 Press Releases
11/10/09
North American Spine Society Launches New Consumer Web Site
The North American Spine Society (NASS) is pleased to announce the launch of its new consumer Web site. Launched at NASS’ 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, www.knowyourback.org continues the Society’s dedication to providing patients with credible health information related to the causes, treatment and prevention of neck and back disorders.
10/15/09
In Memoriam: NASS Mourns Loss of Past President Vert Mooney, MD
The North American Spine Society (NASS) is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Vert Mooney, MD. A founding member of NASS, Dr. Mooney served as NASS President from 1987-1988.
A Tribute to Vert Mooney, MD by Thomas E (Ted) Dreisinger, PhD
10/13/09
North American Spine Society Responds to Recent Vertebroplasty Studies’ Findings
The North American Spine Society (NASS) today released comments on two new studies on vertebroplasty and their significance to patient care. NASS’ comments, published in The Spine Journal online, were issued in response to two randomized controlled trials on vertebroplasty published on August 6, 2009 in the New England Journal of Medicine – A Randomized Trial of Vertebroplasty for Painful Osteoporotic Vertebral Fractures and A Randomized Trial of Vertebroplasty for Osteoporotic Spinal Fractures. Both studies examined the benefit of vertebroplasty when compared to sham procedures.
8/05/09
North American Spine Society Releases New Guideline for Antithrombotic Therapies in Spine Surgery
The North American Spine Society (NASS) released a new Evidence-Based Clinical Guideline for Multidisciplinary Spine Care for Antithrombotic Therapies in Spine Surgery.
7/28/09
North American Spine Society Expresses Concern over Proposed Federal Health Care Reform Legislation
“Several provisions will put patient access to care at risk”
As debate continues on proposed health care reform legislation, the “America's Affordable Health Choices Act of 2009” (H.R. 3200), the North American Spine Society (NASS) today, in a letter to House leaders signed by NASS President Charles Branch, MD and NASS Advocacy Committee Chairman Raj Rao, MD, expressed concerns that elements within the overall package will fail to control costs, fail to improve quality and fail to improve access to care.
7/15/09
North American Spine Society Advocates for Permanent Medicare Part B Solution
“Urges Congress to fix the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate Formula”
In July 2008, Congress passed the “Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008,” a temporary solution necessary to avoid an immediate 10.6 percent cut in Medicare payments. North American Spine Society (NASS) members today met with lawmakers on Capitol Hill to urge Congress to make permanent changes to the flawed Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) Formula under Medicare Part B a priority in health care reform discussions.
2/19/09
Analysis of High-Quality Trials Finds Exercise as the Only Proven Effective Method of Back Pain Prevention
With an annual cost to the United States of as much as $100 billion, low back pain imposes a significant burden on industrialized societies, in terms of symptoms, medical costs, productivity and particularly back pain-related work absence. Unfortunately, scientific efforts have provided little consensus on preventing this common musculoskeletal problem.
1/22/09
NASS Redefines Mission; Adopts Groundbreaking Disclosure Policy
The North American Spine Society, the leading multidisciplinary spine organization worldwide, has dramatically revised its existing disclosure policy for both members and nonmembers participating in NASS activities. Going several steps further than the original policy (which was adopted in January 2006), the new policy adopted by the NASS Board of Directors at the Toronto Annual Meeting in October 2008 requires that participants disclose actual dollar amounts of all relationships held in the 12 months preceding disclosure.
2008 Press Releases
10/15/08
Spine Specialist’s Clinical Instinct Not Sufficient When Assessing a Patient’s Psychological Distress
10/15/08
Surgical Outcomes Better for Patients With Leg Pain Predominant Degenerative Spondylolisthesis and Spinal Stenosis
10/15/08
Lumbar Fusion Offers Substantial Benefit for Medicare-Age Patients
10/15/08
Radiographic Findings Did Not Predict Outcome for Degenerative Spondylolisthesis Treatment
8/1/08
NASS to Present Hottest Spine Topics at Annual Meeting in Toronto
7/16/08
NASS Strengthens its Efforts in Conflict of Interest (COI) and Ethics Arena
4/15/08
Medical Societies Join Forces in Response Effort to Washington State Health Care Authority's Health Technology Assessment on Artificial Discs
2/1/08
Winter Safety – A Guide to Preventing Back Injuries in Winter Months