Spine Education in Russia

An interesting example of international collaboration here. Dr. Mark McLaughlin is a well known neurosurgeon practicing in Princeton, New Jersey. He is a member of the SpineUniverse Editorial Board and is also Scientific Program Chairman of the AANS/CNS Joint Spine Section.

With collaboration from the World Federation of Neurological Surgeons, he initiated the first ever Russian-American Spine Symposium held in St. Petersburg, Russia, May, 2000. In August 2005, this initiative was followed by the very successful Advances in Brain and Spine Surgery: Technology and Care symposium.

We congratulate Dr. McLaughlin on his educational activities and wish him success in his future international endeavours.

Back Pain

For some years I've been concerned about the availability of good quality patient information about back pain and spinal conditions. As a practicing orthopedic surgeon, I am well aware of how important information is in the patient's decision making process. In fact, I believe that the availabilty of good information has a significant effect on surgical outcomes. Knowledge is indeed power.

To start everyone down the road to good information we should start with the basics. What is lower back pain?

This is an outstanding article from Richard Fessler, M.D., Ph.D. Dr. Fessler is the Chief of Neurosurgery at University of Chicago Hospitals