Spine Research

The multi-disciplinary spine physicians at Texas Spine and Scoliosis in Austin, Texas are a leading provider of spine research.  The studies listed below represent extensive work by the spine team to document the efficacy of new advanced procedures. This spine research is published in spine journals for other spine physicians to read worldwide. This in turn improves how back and neck problems are treated across the nation and in other countries. 

The research studies below cover the wide range of spine, back pain, neck pain, scoliosis and spinal tumor problems. The goal of the research studies is to document the outcome of a variety of treatment approaches including how non-surgical treatment options can relieve symptoms from herniated discs and which patients are likely to benefit most from different approaches based on the symptoms they present.

Many of the studies below focus on new advanced treatment approaches for spinal deformity and scoliosis, i.e. curvature of the spine. 

Dr. Eeric Truumees at Texas Spine and Scoliosis is a nationally recognized spine surgeon and researcher, having acted as the editor of the prestigious Spine Journal and was a former president of the North American Spine Society, which is the largest group of spine surgeons worldwide.  Dr. Matthew Geck is nationally recognized as one of the most advanced scoliosis surgeons in the United States and was one of the first spine surgeons to become proficient in mini-scoliosis surgery which accesses the spine through smaller incisions than the typical long 10-inch incisions used by other scoliosis surgeons. All of the spine surgeons at Texas Spine and Scoliosis are fellowship-trained which is the highest level of medical education in the United States.

Many of the studies are sponsored by spine companies that work synergistically with the spine surgeon and spine physicians to continually improve spine care. The spine companies help to cover some the costs of this spine research.

Current funded clinical studies:

1) A Prospective, Concurrently Controlled, Multi-Center Study to Evaluate the Safety and Effectiveness of the Spinal Kinetics M6-C™ Artificial Cervical Disc Compared to Anterior Cervical Discectomy and Fusion (ACDF) for the Treatment of Contiguous Two-Level Symptomatic Cervical Radiculopathy.

Sponsor: Spinal Kinetics

The goal of this study is to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the Spinal Kinetics M6-C™ artificial cervical disc in patients with contiguous two level symptomatic cervical radiculopathy with or without cord compression.

2) Prospective, Randomized, Controlled, Blinded Pivotal Study In Subjects Undergoing A Transforaminal Lumbar Interbody Fusion (TLIF) At One Or Two Levels Using Infuse™ Bone Graft and The Capstone™ Spinal System with Posterior Supplemental Fixation For The Treatment Of Symptomatic Degenerative Disease Of The Lumbosacral Spine.

Sponsor: Medtronic Cranial and Spinal Technologies

This study aims to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the investigational treatment as compared to control and to obtain indication expansion for Infuse™ use in one and two level TLIF procedures.

3) Multi-Center, Retrospective and Prospective Evaluation for Clinical and Radiographic
Outcomes of Spine Surgeries Utilizing Capri Cervical and Thoracolumbar Corpectomy Cage Systems: Observational Post Market Clinical Follow-Up Study.

Sponsor: K2M Inc., a subsidiary of Stryker

The primary objectives of this post market clinical follow-up study are to: a) Confirm device performance, b) Confirm device safety

4) A Prospective, Multi‐Center Study of the Medtronic Braive™ Growth Modulation System When Used in the Treatment of Pediatric Patients Diagnosed with Juvenile or Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (BRAIVE IDE Study).

Sponsor: Medtronic Sofamor Danek

The purpose of this study is to establish probable benefits and evaluate the safety and preliminary effectiveness of the Braive™ GMS when used in the treatment of Juvenile or Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis.

5) A Prospective, Open-Label, Single-Arm Study of Intraosseous Basivertebral Nerve Ablation for the Treatment of Chronic Low Back Pain (CLBP Single-Arm Long-term Follow-up Study).

Sponsor: Relievant Medsystems

The objective of this study is to evaluate the long-term effectiveness of the Intracept® Intraosseous Nerve Ablation System for the treatment of chronic low back pain (CLBP) in typical spine practices

Most recent peer-reviewed publications:

1) Truumees E, Singh D, Ennis D, Livingston H, Duncan A, Lavelle W, Riesenburger R, Yu A, Geck M, Mroz T, Stokes J. Bridging the Cervicothoracic Junction During Multi-Level Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Global Spine J. 2022 Apr 11;21925682221090925. doi: 10.1177/21925682221090925.

2) Truumees D, Duncan A, Kunj A, Rajagopalan D, Geck M, Singh D, Stokes J, Truumees E. Quality and Accuracy of Cervical Radiculopathy-specific Information on the Internet: A Cross-sectional Analysis. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2022 May 1;47(9): E399-E406. doi: 10.1097/BRS.0000000000004146.

3) Truumees D, Duncan A, Mayer E, Geck M, Singh D, Truumees E. Social media as a new source of medical information and support: analysis of scoliosis-specific information. Spine Deform. 2021 Sep;9(5):1241-1245. doi: 10.1007/s43390-021-00331-5.

4) Truumees E, CORR Insights. Are the Choice of Frame and Intraoperative Patient Positioning Associated with Radiographic and Clinical Outcomes in Long-instrumented Lumbar Fusion for Adult Spinal Deformity? Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2022 May 1;480(5):993-995. doi: 10.1097/CORR.0000000000002109. Epub 2022 Jan 5.

5) Truumees E, Singh D, Lavelle W, Riesenburger R, Geck M, Kurra S, Yu A, Grits D, Dowd R, Winkelman R, Mroz T, Stokes J. Is it Safe to Stop at C7 During Multi-Level Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion? - Multi-Center analysis. Spine J. 2021 Jan;21(1):90-95. doi: 10.1016/j.spinee.2020.08.018.

Most recent conference publications:

1) Shah R, Rossano A, Singh D, Truumees E. Outcomes in Patients with Vertebral Injury after Blunt Cervical Spine Trauma Cervical Spine Research Society-Europe, June 2022, Barcelona, Spain.

2) Truumees E, Singh D, Alexander J, Chandler C, Duncan A, Geck M, Stokes, J. Using Machine Learning to Identify Patients Likely To Choose Surgery For One Level Anterior Cervical Disc Herniations. Cervical Spine Research Society-Europe, June 2022, Barcelona, Spain.

3) Geck M, Singh D, Duncan A, Stokes J, Truumees E. Feasibility and Outcomes of Mini Open Correction and Fusion for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS): 2-5 Years Follow-up. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), June 2022, Bahamas.

4) Geck M, Singh D, Duncan A, Stokes J, Truumees E. Quantitative Analysis of Tissue Injury Markers After Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Correction: A Prospective Study of Open vs. Minimally Invasive Surgery. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), June 2022, Bahamas.

5) Geck M, Singh D, Duncan A, Stokes J, Truumees E. Comparison of Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) Correction-Open vs. Minimally Invasive Cohorts: A 2 Years Radiographic and Surgical Outcome Study. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), June 2022, Bahamas.

6) Truumees E, Singh D, Ennis D, Livingston H, Duncan A, Lavelle W, Riesenburger R, Yu A, Geck M, Mroz T, Stokes J. Bridging the Cervicothoracic Junction During Multi-Level Posterior Cervical Decompression and Fusion- A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), June 2022, Bahamas.

7) Truumees E, Singh D, Duncan A, Alexander J, Chandler C, Mayer E. Determining What Markers Increase the Odds of Successful Non-Operative Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation. The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), June 2022, Bahamas.

8) Duncan A, Singh D, Mayer E, Truumees E. Should Physical Therapy be Incorporated in Patient Care Post 1-2 Level Lumbar Fusions for Degenerative Lumbar Instability? -A Comparative Outcome Analysis. Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS), April 2022. Chicago, IL

9) Duncan A, Singh D, Mayer E, Truumees E. Determining What Markers Increase the Odds of Successful Non-Operative Treatment of Lumbar Disc Herniation. Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS), April 2022. Chicago, IL

10) Singh A, Duncan A, Mayer E, Truumees E. Should Physical Therapy be Incorporated in Patient Care Post 1-2 Level Lumbar Fusions for Degenerative Lumbar Instability? - Association of Academic Physiatrists (AAP), May 2022, New Orleans, LA