11/19/09
North American Spine Society Concludes 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco
The North American Spine Society (NASS), a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing the highest quality, evidence-based and ethical spine care, held its 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Nov. 10-14, 2009 at the Moscone Center South. NASS hosted a record setting crowd of 3,973 attendees from 52 countries and showcased 290 exhibiting companies.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/13/09
NASS Announces 2009 Research Grant and Clinical Traveling
Fellowship Winners
The North American Spine Society (NASS) today announced the recipients of the 2009 Research Grant and Clinical Traveling Fellowship awards. Recipients were announced and recognized at NASS’ 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/12/09
The North American Spine Society and The Spine Journal Announce 2009 Outstanding Paper Award Winners, Editors’ Choice Award
The North American Spine Society (NASS) and The Spine Journal (TSJ) today announced the 2009 Outstanding Paper Award (OPA) winners at NASS’ 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco. NASS created the OPAs in 1989 to recognize excellence in unpublished research in spine care, taking into consideration three major disciplines: Basic Science, Surgical Science and Medical & Interventional Science.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
Ray Baker, MD, Elected President of the North American Spine Society
Ray Baker, MD, today began his term as 2009-2010 President of the North American Spine Society (NASS). Baker is the first anesthesiologist in NASS’ history to serve as President. The transfer of presidency took place at the Society’s 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
Balloon kyphoplasty an effective and safe early treatment for acute vertebral compression fractures
Results of the international, multicenter, randomized controlled clinical study, the Fracture Reduction Evaluation (FREE) trial, showed that balloon kyphoplasty improved patients’ quality of life and reduced back pain and disability. The findings were presented today at the North American Spine Society’s 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
Allograft shape does not influence clinical outcomes after ACDF
Researchers have found that lordotically shaped allografts did not increase cervical/sagittal alignment or improve outcomes. Maintaining a consistent segmental sagittal alignment or increasing segmental lordosis, however, was shown to be important to improved clinical outcome scores. The findings were presented today at the North American Spine Society’s 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
Spinal cord injuries are complicated by ossification of the posterior
longitudinal ligament
Results of a multicenter study demonstrated an alarmingly high prevalence of ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in spinal cord injuries (SCI) without bone injury. The findings were presented today at the North American Spine Society’s 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
ACDF procedure probable cause of postoperative dysphagia
Although dysphagia is common after anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF), few prospective studies have examined its severity and incidence. Further, those studies that have been performed have been limited by the lack of a control group or a retrospective design. The findings were presented today at the North American Spine Society’s 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
North American Spine Society Announces 2009 Recognition Award Winners
The North American Spine Society (NASS) today announced the 2009 Recognition Award recipients. NASS established the Leon Wiltse Award, the Henry Farfan Award and the David Selby Award to recognize unique and outstanding contributions to the field of spine care and research. Each award is named for founding members of NASS who not only made outstanding contributions to the field of spine care and research, but also played key roles in the Society’s early success.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/11/09
Surgery yields good results in patients with symptomatic cervical
spondylotic myelopathy
Surgery is an effective treatment option for patients with symptomatic cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM), according to results of a multicenter, prospective cohort study. The findings were presented today at the North American Spine Society’s 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco.

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/10/09
North American Spine Society Responds to Health Care Reform Efforts on Capitol Hill
The North American Spine Society (NASS), as a member of the Alliance of Specialty Medicine, recently sent a letter to House leaders in response to key provisions within H.R. 3962, the “Affordable Health Care for America Act” and H.R. 3961, the “Medicare Physician Payment Reform Act.”

EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE: 11/10/09
North American Spine Society Launches New Patient Education Web Site
The North American Spine Society (NASS) is pleased to announce the launch of its new patient education Web site. Launched at NASS’ 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, www.knowyourback.org continues the Society’s dedication to providing patients with credible health information related to the causes, treatment and prevention of neck and back disorders.

10/26/09
NASS returns to San Francisco for 24th Annual Meeting
The North American Spine Society (NASS), a multidisciplinary organization dedicated to advancing the highest quality, evidence-based and ethical spine care, invites spine specialists from around the globe to attend the 24th Annual Meeting in San Francisco, Nov. 10-14, 2009 at the Moscone Center South. More than 2500 expected attendees will have an opportunity to explore the hottest news in spine education, research and innovation.