Axis Spine Technologies

"Just decompress and fuse" is no longer acceptable in short-segment lumbar surgery. Every fusion - even a single level - shapes your patient's future. Get the sagittal alignment wrong, and you're not just failing to solve the problem - you're creating the next one. Philip Louie sparked this crucial conversation two years ago, challenging the spine community to rethink their approach to sagittal alignment in short-segment fusions. The responses from leading surgeons were illuminating: Peter B. Derman, MD, MBA challenged convention: forget complex formulas, target 45 degrees L4-S1. Direct. Measurable. Effective. Alan H. Daniels, MD and Bassel George Diebo, MD warned against the "more is better" mindset. Just because we can add lordosis in the upper lumbar spine doesn't mean we should - a warning particularly relevant as prone lateral approaches gain popularity. Greg Poulter shared the sobering reality: over a quarter of routine fusions end up out of balance. Most return to theatre within 4 years. Yet in 2024, we still see surgeons compromising on alignment. Still accepting "adequate" when precision is possible. Still using techniques that prioritise ease over outcomes. The technology exists. The knowledge exists. The evidence is clear. The only question is: are we ready to demand better? To every spine surgeon who refuses to compromise: what's holding you back? What needs to change for precise alignment to become the standard, not the exception? Thank you 🙏 , Philip Louie, for starting this vital discussion. Now it's time to take action. Join the conversation. Challenge the status quo. Help us understand why this fundamental aspect of spine surgery remains such a challenge. #SpineSurgery #SurgicalPrecision #SpinalAlignment #PatientOutcomes

If you're like us, finding the perfect podcast for the morning commute is an art form. Here's 15 minutes that will make you think differently about surgical mastery. Michael H. McCarthy takes us from defensive end to spine surgeon on The Athlete Spine podcast, and it's fascinating to consider how elite athletic training mirrors our surgical journey. The parallels between pushing physical boundaries on the field and pursuing technical excellence in the OR really hit home. What will catch your attention is how he breaks down deliberate practice - whether you're an emerging surgeon finding your technique or a veteran looking to push boundaries. That sweet spot between confident expertise and constant refinement? He nails it. For those interested in how we continue to elevate our craft, this conversation between him and the moderators Philip Louie and Venu Nemani, MD, PhD hits different. Particularly compelling is the discussion around peer feedback and collaborative learning - something many of us wish we had more of post-training. Give it a listen. Would love to hear your thoughts, especially from those who've made similar transitions from competitive sports to surgery. What crossover principles have shaped your approach? Link in comments. #SpineSurgery #SurgicalExcellence #ContinuousImprovement #AthleteMinds

In the spirit of Thanksgiving 🦃 , we reflect on the privilege of working alongside an extraordinary surgical community. Every day, we witness the dedication of surgeons who push boundaries, mentor the next generation, and maintain unwavering commitment to advancing spinal care. From the fellowship programs shaping tomorrow's innovators to the medical societies fostering collaboration and knowledge-sharing - your collective pursuit of excellence inspires us. We're especially thankful for those who generously share their expertise, challenge conventional thinking, and never stop asking "how can we do better?" Your insights and feedback continue to drive innovation forward. To all the surgeons, distributors, and healthcare professionals who've given their time and trust this year - thank you. We wish you precious time with family and loved ones this Thanksgiving weekend. With genuine appreciation, The Axis Spine Technologies Team #Thanksgiving #SpineSurgery #MedicalInnovation #Gratitude And if you find a moment for some well-deserved me-time 😇 , explore these 8 inspiring TED Talks that encourage fresh perspectives and challenge conventional thinking—all in the pursuit of improvement and innovation. Read more at: https://lnkd.in/eVcuHije

Sometimes the bluntest tool in the box can do the most damage...

We are fighting against the 'Mallet Mentality'. Using Mallets feels outdated and... brutal... in modern spine surgery. Hammering implants into place belongs in the past. As JC Leveque (Head of Department, Neurosurgery at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health) observes: "You're having to try to force larger and larger devices into a space that can be fairly collapsed... it puts stress upon the end plates, stress upon the vertebral bodies." But there's a more elegant approach. Leading surgeons are embracing technologies that allow for methodical, precise adjustments: - Place endplates first in a collapsed fashion - Position precisely under direct visualisation - Trial different core options - Verify placement with imaging - Select and insert the ideal core The future of spine surgery isn't about brute strength - it's about precision instruments that let surgeons express their expertise through subtle, exact movements that complex spinal procedures demand. As Dr. Leveque puts it: "Everything just goes down the centre of that inserter. You put the end plates where you want them, and then you can focus on each next step." For our spine surgeon colleagues: How has your approach to precision evolved throughout your career? What innovations have helped you move beyond the 'mallet mentality'? #SpineSurgery #SurgicalInnovation #PatientCare #SurgicalPrecision #ALIF #SpineCare

In a sea of LinkedIn content, here's genuine surgical discourse. Complex revision cases, like the one Dr. med. Samir Smajic details here, present the very challenges that keep us awake at night - and drive us forward. How do we restore disc height whilst minimising trauma? What's the optimal approach for achieving lordosis in revision scenarios? These aren't simple questions, yet they're precisely the ones we must grapple with. Particularly fascinating was the exchange between Dr. med. Samir Smajic and Alin Sirbu about OLIF versus XALIF approaches. It's this kind of candid discussion about technique preferences and learning curves that truly advances our field. And @Vinay Kulkarni's probing question about posterior rods demonstrates exactly the kind of detailed technical discourse we need more of on LinkedIn. "Go in small, then correct" isn't just our philosophy - it's born from listening to exactly these sorts of conversations amongst surgeons tackling real-world challenges. Whilst it's easy to default to self-promotion on LinkedIn, posts like this - rich in technical detail and sparking genuine professional dialogue - remind us why we're all here: to advance spinal surgery and improve patient outcomes. Bravo, Dr. Smajic, for fostering such meaningful discourse. More of this, please! #SpinalSurgery #SurgicalInnovation #ProfessionalDevelopment #ContinuousLearning

Ivo Scheepens flew to our UK VR lab to reup on more headsets. As adoption of our loaner program grows, surgeons are getting technology introductions, technical discussions and collaborative product exploration - all from their own facility. With our VR headsets - delivered to you - you can examine our precision implant technology in granular detail. You can also engage directly with our technical experts if you wish. The immersive environment enables thorough evaluation of modular technology and precision instrumentation - crucial for understanding unique approaches to spinal alignment. Our VR headset loaner program, managed through our Minneapolis distribution center, makes getting started simple. Connect with us here on LinkedIn or visit axisspinetech.com to request your headset and experience our virtual headquarters firsthand. #SpineSurgery #SurgicalInnovation #VirtualReality #SpineInnovation #MedTech

A shout out to the interesting clinical discussions driven by ComboSpine 👏 The risks of nerve injury in LLIF remain a significant concern - with studies showing sensory deficits in up to 38% of patients. As pioneers in anterior approaches, we believe that achieving optimal spinal alignment shouldn't require compromising nerve safety. We've been following an outstanding discussion initiated by Lali Sekhon, MD PhD MBA on approach selection and nerve injury prevention in lateral procedures. The collective expertise shared exemplifies the highest standards of surgical practice - where experience meets innovation through open dialogue. The discussion reveals clear patterns in approach selection based on spinal levels. Lali Sekhon, MD PhD MBA and Ahmed Allam, MD, PhD both emphasise careful level selection, particularly avoiding lateral approaches at L4/5 where ALIF or TLIF are preferred. This anatomically-driven decision making aligns with our understanding of the challenges at these levels. The technical evolution of lateral approaches demonstrates increasing complexity in nerve protection. Sanjay Khurana MD FACS and Prof Constantin Schizas FRCS detail different solutions - from EMG to microscope-based visualisation, and mini-open techniques with specific retractor systems. While these refinements show progress, they highlight the inherent challenges that anterior approaches can avoid. Anatomical understanding proves crucial, with Greg Finch and Mario Zotti both emphasising the importance of recognising anatomical risk factors such as high crests and psoas variations. Their insights from laboratory work and clinical experience reinforce why anterior approaches offer a more direct path to achieving alignment goals, particularly at challenging levels. Most notably, multiple contributors Lali Sekhon, MD PhD MBA, Ahmed Allam, MD, PhD, Prof Constantin Schizas FRCS report successful outcomes through careful patient selection and approach matching. Their combined experience shows that while lateral approaches have their place, anterior approaches remain optimal for lower lumbar levels where alignment precision is paramount. The collective expertise shared demonstrates a crucial point: successful spinal surgery isn't about championing a single approach, but rather understanding when each technique best serves patient outcomes. Join the discussion at https://lnkd.in/eebVp9Mf or comment below. #SpineSurgery #SurgicalInnovation #SpinalAlignment #MedicalEducation

Precision doesn't require force. While others rely on mallets and compromise, we believe surgeons deserve tools that match their expertise. Our modular system lets you focus on what matters - achieving optimal patient alignment through skilled technique, not brute force. Because the best surgical outcomes come from *enabling talent* not constraining it. #SpinalSurgery #SurgicalInnovation #SpinalAlignment

From the simplest materials - bamboo and cord - Hippocrates pioneered the principles of precision in spine surgery 2,400 years ago. He established a principle that still guides modern practice: precision in spinal correction comes from working with natural biomechanics, not against them. Precision outperforms force. Doesn't that align nicely with modern thinking? In 'On Joints', he documented a principle that still guides modern spine surgery: the spine responds best to precise, controlled correction rather than forceful manipulation. Fundamental biomechanical thinking that modern science continues to validate. His genius wasn't in the materials - bamboo and cord were common. His breakthrough was understanding how to work with the spine's natural tendencies rather than against them. Hippocrates understood what modern science continues to validate: Natural alignment is achieved through precision. This precision outperforms force. Today's surgical innovations may seem far removed from bamboo tethers. Yet they build on the same principle: precise, controlled correction achieves optimal outcomes. This is why we study pioneers like Hippocrates - not just to honour history, but to understand the principles that drive innovation forward. Every time we pursue gentle, precise correction in the OR, we're following a path first mapped by ancient pioneers. Are you a force, or precision surgeon?