This module provides an in-depth overview of the basics of spinal disorders and constructs the base of knowledge for other modules. The summary of history of spinal disorders allows understanding of how developments occurred. The knowledge on Spinal Biomechanics and Cell Biology are important in understanding of diseases and treatment strategies in spine surgery. Pathways of Spinal Pain, genetics of spinal disorders and age-related changes are important in every aspect of understanding treatment strategies that are discussed in further modules in more detail. Principles of spinal balance and development of spinal dys-balance are reviewed and summarized. Basic technical concepts of biomechanics of spinal instrumentation, biologics in fusion, and also epidemiological concepts such as predictors of treatment outcome and spinal registries are provided. The pre-operative evaluation of the patient, including history and physical assessment, imaging studies and neurological investigations are summarized. Anesthesiological aspects before, during and after a spine surgery are described in a very understandable and efficient way.

This Module provides the basic knowledge and concepts of spinal disorders and is the foundation for subsequent Modules.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 22 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module covers the degenerative disorders of the cervical spine.

It is structured by reference to the anatomy, biomechanics and kinematics of the cervical spine. A section deals with the diagnostic evaluation and focuses on the specific imaging, neurophysiological assessment as well as diagnostic injection studies. The different pathologies like axial neck pain, cervical radiculopathy as well as cervical myelopathy are widely discussed in terms of clinical findings, pathophysiology and natural history, as well as the surgical and non-surgical treatment modalities.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 18 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module covers the degenerative disorders of the thoraco-lumbar spine. It comprehensively addresses the main pathologies like disc herniation of the lumbar as well as the thoracic spine, spinal stenosis, spondylosis and degenerative spondylolisthesis in terms of epidemiology, pathogenesis, and clinical as well as imaging assessment, surgical and non-surgical treatment.

Non-specific low back pain is dealt with extensively. The continuum from degenerative conditions to new onset deformity is looked at specifically and its significance in the context of an ageing society is emphasized.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 21 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module covers extensively the different aspects of deformities in spinal disorders. Introductory lectures concerning the epidemiology, natural history, classification as well as clinical and outcome assessment and radiology are preparing the field.  Adult idiopathic scoliosis and degenerative scoliosis are addressed at length in terms of clinical presentation, diagnostic evaluation, surgical and non-surgical treatment as well as expected outcomes.

Different surgical techniques like minimally invasive deformity surgery, the role of XLIF, ALIF, TLIF and OLIF techniques and the different types of spinal osteotomies with their specific indications are discussed in depth. Scheuermann disease and ankylosing spondylitis as a deformity equally are discussed in detail.

A whole section is dedicated to the epidemiology, etiology classification, imaging and treatment of non-degenerative spondylolysis and spondylolisthesis.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 22 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module deals with the pediatric and adolescent deformities of the spine, their etiology, pathomorphology, imaging and clinical presentation, and classification. For better understanding, there is a focus on the growing spine at the beginning. Included is a presentation on spinal cord anomalies which play an important role in the context of congenital scoliosis.

Following on from the biomechanics of a deformed spine, there is a focus on treatment modalities, spanning cast treatment, brace treatment and the surgical treatment of the different pathologies. The different techniques and concepts of surgical treatment of pediatric and adolescent scoliosis, including modern navigation technology, are all described and discussed in the context of their appropriate indications. The practical preoperative preparation of the patient in the operating room is appropriately considered.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 23 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module is sub-divided into trauma of the upper, middle/lower cervical spine, the thoracolumbar spine and the sacrum. Classical spinal trauma is extensively dealt with in terms of injury mechanism, classification concepts, clinical presentation and applied imaging techniques. Indication criteria for non-surgical and surgical treatment modalities are discussed widely together with the expected outcome.

There is a specific section dealing with fragility fractures in the elderly (osteoporosis), their identification, diagnostic work up, risk factors and the augmentation procedures available in the case of persistent pain, progressive deformity or instability.

At the other end of the age curve, the Module does also focus on the specificity of pediatric and growing spine injuries, their diagnostic workup, their natural history and treatment options.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 19 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module treats most of the rarely seen primary tumors, malignant as well as benign tumors such as osteoid osteoma, eosinophilic granuloma, giant cell tumors, aneurysmal bone cyst, Ewing Sarcoma, chondrosarcoma of the spine, as well as ependymoma and chordoma at the craniocervical junction and in the sacrum.

Different surgical technique issues are looked at for the different locations and neoplastic disease like multiple myeloma are equally presented, as are intradural extramedullary spinal tumors.

A whole section is dedicated to the diagnosis, staging and surgical treatment of metastatic spine disease and its results.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 19 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This module addresses the different pathologies which can be encountered. Infections are categorized by the differentiating criteria of specific (tuberculosis) and non-specific infections. Indications for the different treatment modalities are discussed and the interdisciplinary character of this pathology is emphasized. A clear differentiation is made between the treatment of osteomyelitis of the spine and the epidural abscess.

Inflammatory disorders, specifically rheumatoid arthritis and ankylosing spondylitis, are presented with a focus of early rheumatological diagnosis and pharmacological treatment. The fully-fledged deformity in late stage ankylosing spondylitis is alluded to but is dealt with more comprehensively in Module 4, Adult Deformity.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 18 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.

This Module is a unique teaching tool of 23 lectures from experienced surgeons. It unifies complications from approaches to the spine on the one hand, and from the different pathologies on the other - disc herniation, decompression surgery, deformity surgery, trauma surgery and surgery in osteoporosis.

Furthermore, typical complications like dural leak, pseudarthrosis, wound infections, implant complications, as well as neurological deficit, spinal cord damage, and complications arising from positioning the patient are dealt with in depth.

Finally, there is a pair of lectures suggesting the algorithm of imaging in spinal complications.

Module Structure:
This Module consists of 21 online lectures.

Mode of Examination:
Each lecture has an online pre-learning quiz and concludes with a final lecture assessment. The final assessment of every lecture in a given module must be passed, before the learner can earn their NASS Certificate of Completion.

All online quizzes and assessments use a standard multiple choice question format.