Todd Lansford, MD, of South Carolina Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in N. Charleston, S.C., on the most interesting spine technology today and where the industry is headed in 2018.
Question: What do you see as the biggest challenge for spine over the next year?
Dr. Todd Lansford: The key clinical and business challenges will continue to be reimbursement issues and health insurance reform. There is considerable uncertainty in this sector, which insurance companies hate. This all leads to challenges for the patients and providers. From a business standpoint, corporate tax changes will be a challenge for many private practice groups. The challenge is not a bad one, but confusing none the less.
Q: What is the best opportunity for spine surgeons in 2018?
TL: The best opportunities for spine surgeons will continue to be ASCs. We are expanding the types of cases and patients suitable to this environment. As spine surgeons, there is still growth in this arena, so the opportunities are quite plentiful.
Q: What are the biggest trends in spine technology going forward?
TL: The most important trend in spine technology would be the continued integration of biplaner flouro to navigation. I say this specially because the use of robotics is an expanding field, advances in imaging will increase the speed for robot procedures. Once navigation improves in speed and ease, robots will be used more frequently. The second trend I see is use of titanium/tritanium implants. This has shown superiority over PEEK and will gain in use throughout the year.