In The News
What You Need to Know about Bruce Willis’ Frontotemporal Dementia Diagnosis
Actor Bruce Willis has been diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia, or FTD, a group of brain disorders caused by degeneration of the frontal and/or temporal lobes of the brain. Initially, Willis had been diagnosed with aphasia, but when his symptoms worsened it clarified the diagnosis of FTD. “Bruce Willis is such a relatable actor, it is … Read More
What’s Next for SI Joint Fusion? 8 Spine Surgeon Insights
Sacroiliac joint fusion continues to develop with new technology and recognition from payers. Here is how eight spine surgeons expect the procedure to develop in the near future. Question: What developments do you think will come next for sacroiliac joint fusion in 2023? Brian Fiani, DO. Mendelson Kornblum Orthopedic & Spine Specialists (Livonia, Mich.): The future is bright … Read More
Witnessing Trauma
It is OK to feel… Remember where you were when the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded? Or when President Kennedy was assassinated? Or when the second plane hit the Twin Towers, making it clear that what you were seeing was no accident? Bearing witness to trauma leaves a psychological mark, and the players, coaches and teammates … Read More
What’s the Difference Between Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia?
If you notice a loved one becoming forgetful, you may worry that they have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. But these conditions are not the same, says Dr. Aaron Ritter, a dementia expert who directs the Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program at Hoag Hospital. “Alzheimer’s Disease is a disease that causes a group of symptoms that usually … Read More
Spine Surgeons Predict ‘Tremendous Growth’ in Endoscopy Over the Next 10 Years
Despite pushback from payers and some reimbursement and training obstacles, many spine surgeons expect endoscopic spine surgery to become more prominent in the U.S. over the next decade. Eleven spine surgeons from independent practices and health systems across the country discuss what’s next for endoscopic spine surgery. Question: How will endoscopic spine surgery evolve in … Read More
‘One in a Million’: What Celine Dion’s Stiff Person Syndrome Diagnosis Teaches Us About Rare Disorders
Photo Courtesy: Rolling Stone To her fans, the heartbreaking news that Celine Dion is battling a condition that only affects about ‘one in a million’ people is, perhaps, no surprise. The iconic singer is in a lauded category of her own. It would take a rare condition to affect such a rare vocal treasure. A … Read More
First SyncAR for Spine Surgery in the world performed at Hoag
Hoag’s innovative spine team has performed the first spinal fusion surgery utilizing the recently FDA-cleared augmented reality (SyncAR) surgical navigator for Spine, co-developed by neurosurgeons from Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute and medical visualization platform leader Surgical Theater. SyncAR for Spine utilizes 3D virtual reconstructions of CT and MRI images to enable detailed visualization of … Read More
AI, Machine Learning Will Lead to More ‘Predictable, Efficient and Safer’ Surgeries: 10 Spine Leaders Weigh In
From improving patient outcomes, reducing complications and decreasing healthcare spending, the potential of artificial intelligence and machine learning in spine surgery is vast. Ten spine surgeons discuss how the technology will affect the future of the specialty: Question: What will artificial intelligence and machine learning look like in spine surgery in 10 years? James Dowdell, … Read More
4 Surprising Secrets to Healthy Aging that All Superheroes Know
It’s no secret that healthy lifestyle choices greatly lower your risk of dementia. But, says Aaron Ritter, M.D. the Larkin Family Endowed Chair in Integrative Brain Health and the director of the Memory & Cognitive Disorders Program at Hoag’s Pickup Family Neurosciences Institute, most people don’t think about the connection between diet, exercise and dementia … Read More
Avoid Back Injury in 4 Easy Steps
Often back pain begins with something innocuous. Twisting to reach something too high, bending to lift a heavy shopping bag. It seems to come out of the blue, but in reality, it can be the culmination of a lifetime of bad habits. The good news is that back pain prevention often requires only a few … Read More