Pain Unfiltered

The Current State of SIJ Fusion

In this episode we discussed the latest updates on the coding and reimbursement for SIJ Fusion. Our guest, Dr. Douglas Beall, talked about his experience with the different approaches of SIJ fusion therapies. We also discussed where the SIJ fusion space may be headed in the future.  Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Douglas Beall, MD: Dr. Beall attended medical school at Georgetown University School of Medicine in Washington, DC, and completed his residency at The Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland. Following residency, he was Chief of Interventional Services at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He then completed a fellowship in Musculoskeletal Radiology at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where he was trained in interventional spine techniques before returning to the US Air Force as Division Chief of Musculoskeletal Radiology. Following his service as a Major in the US Air Force Dr. Beall was chief of Musculoskeletal Radiology and Fellowship Director at the University of Oklahoma prior to entering private practice as the Chief of Services. http://drdouglasbeall.com/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord’s physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient’s neural signature.  https://www.saludamedical.com/  

The Exploration of Lateral SIJ Fusion

In this episode we discussed the advances in the lateral approach for sacroiliac joint fusion. Our guests, Dr. Usman Latif talked about his experience in the research and development of Liberty SI. We also discussed the most updated data on lateral SIJ fusion and how Dr. Latif decides which approach to use for his patients.  Full Disclosure: Dr. Latif is a consultant of Spinal Simplicity.  Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Usman Latif, MD: Dr. Latif is certified by the American Board of Anesthesiology with a subcertification in pain management. He completed a fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. He earned his medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine and completed his residency at Wake Forest University Medical Center About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord’s physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient’s neural signature.  https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it’s a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/   Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html   Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient’s pain and quality of life.  We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration.  Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI.   https://spinalsimplicity.com/  

Are All Closed Loops Created Equal?

In this episode we discussed the differences between physiological closed loop spinal cord stimulation and traditional stimulation. Our guests, Dr. Jason Pope and Dr. Johnathan Goree talked about the data behind Saluda’s closed loop stimulation and how it differs with Medtronic’s therapy. They also discussed knowing and controlling the dose of stimulation and what they think the future is for this therapy.  Full Disclosure: Dr. Pope and Dr. Goree are consultants of Saluda Medical.  Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Jason Pope, MD: With over a decade of experience, and regarded as one of the most influential key opinion leaders in the field of pain medicine and neuromodulation, Dr. Jason Pope in Santa Rosa is triple boarded in Pain Medicine, has published over 80 peer reviewed journals, spoken at numerous national and international conferences, and has consulted with many start-ups and established companies. https://evolverestorativecenter.care/ Guest, Jonathan Goree, MD: Board certified in anesthesiology and pain medicine, Dr. Johnathan Goree is a proud alumnus of Catholic High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. In 2014, Dr. Goree returned home to Little Rock, Arkansas to join the faculty at UAMS where he serves as the Director of Interventional Pain Management Services and an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anesthesiology. He primarily focuses on the treatment of chronic pain conditions using minimally invasive procedures, spinal cord stimulation, and vertebral augmentation.  https://medicine.uams.edu/pain/meet-our-team/johnathan-h-goree-m-d/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord’s physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient’s neural signature.  https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it’s a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/ Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient’s pain and quality of life.  We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration.  Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI.   https://spinalsimplicity.com/  

APPs: Collaboration and Role in Interventional Spine

In this episode we discussed the roles advanced practice providers (APPs) play in the interventional pain practice. Our guests, Ashley Comer, Casey Grillo, and Morteza Rabii talked about how to approach minimally invasive procedures in their practice. They also discussed how to partner with industry.  Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en Guest, Ashley Comer: Ashley is a Board Certified Nurse Practitioner, who is certified by the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners. Born and raised in Charleston, West Virginia, Ashley attended West Virginia State University Community and Technical College where she obtained her Associate’s Degree in Nursing. Continuing her education, she went on to receive her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from West Virginia University. https://centerforpainrelief.com/ashley-comer-np/ Guest, Casey Grillo: Casey is a Nurse Practitioner at The Spine & Pain Institute of NY and has recently transitioned into the role of Lead Advanced Practice provider for the practice. She collaborates with her physicians, managing and educating patients of all ages with chronic pain. Casey received her Bachelor’s degree in Nursing from Seton Hall University and a Master’s degree in Science of Nursing from Wagner College. She is currently a member of the Nurse Practitioner Association of NYS. https://spinepainny.com/casey-grillo/ Guest, Morteza Rabii: Morteza earned his Bachelor of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice as a Nurse Practitioner from the University of Kansas. In graduate school he focused on the importance of patient education on improving pain relief. Prior to joining Crimson Pain Management, Mort worked in orthopedics for nearly 10 years, gaining an understanding of chronic back and joint pain. https://crimsonpainmanagement.com/about/ About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord’s physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient’s neural signature.  https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it’s a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/   Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html   Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient’s pain and quality of life.  We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration.  Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI.   https://spinalsimplicity.com/  

Compliance and Healthcare Fraud

In this episode we discussed the current state of healthcare fraud. Our guest, Ronald Chapman, discussed federal cases involving pain management providers.  He provided the DO’s and DONT’s for healthcare providers to be compliant within the current healthcare landscape.  Host, Patrick Buchanan, MD: Dr. Buchanan is double board certified in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Pain Medicine. His goal is to help his patients get their life back by managing their pain and focus on things they love and enjoy. https://www.californiapaindoctors.com/patrick-buchanan-m-d/ https://www.instagram.com/patdbmd/?hl=en Host, Timothy Deer, MD: Dr. Deer is the president and CEO of the Spine and Nerve Centers of the Virginias. Dr. Deer has led a revolution in interventional spine and nerve care by teaching thousands of physicians an algorithmic approach to care including methods that are less invasive at a lower risk for complications. https://centerforpainrelief.com/about/tim-deer-md/ https://twitter.com/doctdeer?lang=en https://www.instagram.com/timdeer30a/?hl=en   Guest, Ronald Chapman: Mr. Chapman is a healthcare defense attorney and President of CCG Healthcare. He has secured multiple acquittals for pain management providers accused of healthcare fraud. https://bio.site/ronald_chapman www.ccghealthcare.com About ASPN: ASPN was created to bring the top minds in the fields of pain and neuroscience together. ASPN has a mission to improve education, highlight scientific curiosity, establish best practice, and elevate each other in a quest to improve the field of pain and neuroscience. All initiatives of ASPN are dedicated to improving patient outcomes, education, research, and innovation. ASPN's website and social links: https://aspnpain.com https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCixMNhEtOiRm1aQmDWtzxmg https://www.instagram.com/aspn_painneuro/ https://www.facebook.com/PainNeuro https://www.linkedin.com/in/aspn/ https://twitter.com/aspn_painneuro Our sponsors: Mainstay Medical: The Only FDA Approved Restorative Therapy for Chronic Mechanical Low Back Pain caused by Multifidus Dysfunction. Restore Control, Restore Function, Restore Stability, ReActiv8 Life. https://mainstaymedical.com/ Saluda Medical: Saluda is the first to directly measure the spinal cord’s physiologic response to stimulation. A 10+ year journey since the first ECAP measurement to transform the science and practice of SCS using Evoked Compound Action Potentials (ECAPs) to pioneer smart neuromodulation therapy. The Evoke® System listens and responds to each patient’s neural signature.  https://www.saludamedical.com/ Nalu Medical: Nalu Offers a Long-Term Solution For Pain. More than just new technology; it’s a whole new world of opportunities. https://nalumed.com/   Medtronic: Medtronic leads global healthcare technology, boldly attacking the most challenging problems. Our Mission — to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life — unites a global team of 90,000+ people, and our technologies transform the lives of two people every second, every hour, every day. https://www.medtronic.com/us-en/patients/treatments-therapies/pain.html   Spinal Simplicity: Spinal Simplicity is a Healthcare Technology company dedicated to creating simple, innovative procedure solutions for our physician partners to help improve their patient’s pain and quality of life.  We believe strongly in AO orthopedic principles of Early & Safe Mobilization, Bone Decortication, Joint Stability and Anatomy Restoration.  Our brands include Minuteman, Liberty-SI, Patriot-SI and Hero-SI.   https://spinalsimplicity.com/