Spine-Talks

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In this video, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, and a panel of the leaders of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) discuss the benefits and advancements in minimally invasive spine surgery. 

The experts highlight how....
Minimally invasive surgery reduces tissue damage, speeding up recovery and improving outcomes.
It uses advanced technologies like robotics and imaging for precise, effective surgery.
Patients benefit from smaller incisions, less pain, and quicker return to normal activities.
Choosing the right treatment involves shared decision-making between patient and surgeon.
It’s important to find a trusted surgeon and ask about their experience with minimally invasive techniques.

Join us for an in-depth discussion on this revolutionary approach to spine care, and the hope it brings to patients dealing with neck and back pain.

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In this episode of Spine Talks, we explore one of the most important questions in spine health: What’s New in Scoliosis Research? 

Host Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Nicolas Plais-Cotrel, orthopedic spine surgeon at the University Hospital of Granada and member of the Scientific Board of the Fondation Yves Cotrel, one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to advancing scoliosis research. Together, they discuss groundbreaking discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of scoliosis and bringing new hope to patients and families worldwide. 

The conversation explores how scoliosis is far more than a simple sideways curvature of the spine. Dr. Plais-Cotrel explains the complex three-dimensional nature of the condition, the unique role of human spinal alignment and bipedal posture, and why scoliosis remains one of the most fascinating mysteries in musculoskeletal medicine. 

Topics include: 

• The difference between normal spinal alignment and scoliosis, and why spinal curves are essential for balance and movement 

• Why scoliosis is considered a uniquely human condition linked to our upright posture 

• New insights into the biomechanics of spinal growth and curve progression 

• Emerging discoveries in genetics and the search for biological pathways that may explain why scoliosis develops 

• How neuroscience, proprioception, balance, and vestibular function may influence spinal deformity 

• The Fondation Yves Cotrel’s international research efforts to uncover the causes—or etiology—of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis 

• The role of bracing, early detection, and scoliosis screening in improving outcomes for children and adolescents 

• Why multidisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, geneticists, engineers, neurologists, and researchers is accelerating progress toward future treatments and prevention strategies 

Throughout the discussion, Drs. Roy and Plais-Cotrel emphasize a powerful message: while significant questions remain, the future of scoliosis research has never been more promising. By bringing together leading scientists from around the world and investing in innovative research, organizations like the Fondation Yves Cotrel are helping move the field beyond treating scoliosis toward understanding—and ultimately preventing—it. 

This inspiring conversation offers patients, families, clinicians, and researchers a front-row seat to the discoveries that may define the next generation of scoliosis care. 

Learn More: https://spinehealth.org/spine-talks/

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In this episode of Spine-Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Paul Anderson from the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Benjamin Elder from the Mayo Clinic to challenge the widespread misconception that osteoporosis is exclusively a women's disease. 

The discussion focuses on the underrecognized reality of male osteoporosis and its significant impact on spinal health, revealing critical gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment that put millions of men at risk.

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In this Spine Talk, we bring together leading spine experts from across the United States for a coast-to-coast conversation on the future of disc replacement in the U.S.

As motion-preserving spine technologies continue to evolve, disc replacement is reshaping how spine surgeons approach degenerative disc disease. This expert-led discussion explores current trends, clinical outcomes, patient selection, and what lies ahead for cervical and lumbar disc replacement.

Featured Speakers:
Ehsan Jazini, MD
Virginia Spine Institute | Reston, VA

Todd Lanman, MD
Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery | Beverly Hills, CA

Lindsay Orosz, PhD, MSc, PA-C
Spine Health Foundation - Director of Research | Reston, VA

Together, they share insights on motion preservation vs. fusion, regional adoption trends, regulatory considerations, and the future of disc replacement technology in the United States.

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Support the show

 Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

At 77, Betty is still playing tennis — but getting there wasn't easy. In this episode, Dr. Rita Roy sits down with Betty to talk about her decades-long journey with osteoporosis: two foot fractures, a vertebral compression fracture, years of DEXA scans, and the medications that helped her rebuild her bones.

Along the way, they discuss why a fracture can tell you more than any scan, how menopause accelerates bone loss, and why staying active may be the best thing you can do for your skeleton at any age.

Betty's story is proof that with the right care and attitude, you can keep moving for decades to come.

Visit spinehealth.org/podcasts for more stories and spine health resources.

 Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health! 

In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and injections—Rich ultimately underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve nerve compression.

While surgery addressed the primary issue, recovery proved gradual and unpredictable. Rich shares candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of healing, the importance of self-advocacy, and learning that spine recovery is rarely linear.

Inspired by his own frustration tracking fluctuating symptoms, Rich created Recoverly, a free iPhone app designed to help patients log daily symptoms and identify trends—supporting clearer communication with healthcare providers.

Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that healing takes patience; progress isn’t always steady, and resilience can grow from even the most difficult setbacks.

Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

In this episode of Get Back To It, Dr. Rita Roy speaks with Rich Rabin, a technology and product leader whose life was upended by severe nerve pain caused by an L5–S1 disc herniation. What began as manageable glute pain progressed into debilitating nerve symptoms that affected his sleep, mobility, and overall quality of life. After months of conservative treatments—including physical therapy and injections—Rich ultimately underwent a microdiscectomy to relieve nerve compression.

While surgery addressed the primary issue, recovery proved gradual and unpredictable. Rich shares candidly about the mental and emotional challenges of healing, the importance of self-advocacy, and learning that spine recovery is rarely linear.

Inspired by his own frustration tracking fluctuating symptoms, Rich created Recoverly, a free iPhone app designed to help patients log daily symptoms and identify trends—supporting clearer communication with healthcare providers.

Rich’s story is a powerful reminder that healing takes patience; progress isn’t always steady, and resilience can grow from even the most difficult setbacks.

Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

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In this episode of Spine Talks, we  explore the vital topic of osteoporosis — a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures — with two world-class experts from complementary fields: Dr. Robert Adler, an endocrinologist from Virginia Commonwealth University and the Richmond VA Center who has spent more than 30 years studying osteoporosis in women and men, and Dr. Paul Anderson, an orthopedic spine surgeon from the University of Wisconsin who leads bone health programs aimed at preventing fractures and improving surgical outcomes, and co-chairs our Task Force.

Together, they uncover what most people don’t realize: bones are living, changing organs that constantly remodel throughout life. The doctors discuss:

• How bone health changes over time and why osteoporosis is often silent until a fracture occurs
• Simple, preventive steps — nutrition, vitamin D, calcium, and weight-bearing exercise
• Diagnostic tools like the DEXA scan, and who should be screened
• The intersection of spine surgery and bone health — why bone optimization matters before surgery
• Osteoporosis in men, a frequently overlooked population with higher mortality after fractures
• Modern treatments, including antiresorptive and anabolic medications, their safety, effectiveness, and how they restore bone strength

The episode emphasizes that osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, with the right combination of lifestyle, medical care, and awareness. Both doctors encourage patients to be proactive advocates for their bone health and start conversations with their physicians about screening and treatment options.

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A virtual tour of exciting minimally invasive advancements , brought to you by the nation’s leading experts in spinal health care. If you or someone you know is suffering from neck or back pain, you are not alone. Spine-Talks® is where you go for answers.

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 Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!