Orthopaedic Surgery

9+1: Derrek’s Patient Experience

Derrek is a patient of mine who has left a lasting impression – he recently ran his first half marathon after having a 2 level spinal fusion (see his xray to the left). He is a great example of patients who become more physically active after a spinal fusion than they were before, which is a common experience in our practice. Derrek’s back pain began eleven years before his surgery, when one day he woke up with terrible pain in his back. Over the course of the eleven years, after all else failed, his condition deteriorated to the point where he considered surgery. Failing to get the answers he was looking for after speaking to a doctor specializing in psychosomatic symptoms, Derrek came to my office. Here’s what he had to say about his experience: “Dr. McCance really did a great job explaining everything to me and my wife. He told us that surgery is what needs to happen now, or something much worse will happen later. “What I’m most impressed by is that Dr. McCance even explained the differences between psychosomatic therapy and surgery to my wife. He answered all of our questions and gave us two solid options.” Derrek’s options were

March 17, 2015

3-D Printing in Spinal Surgery

In spinal surgery, advancements in technology and medicine have given doctors new ways to combat conditions affecting the human body. Minimally invasive procedures use small incision for less complex procedures; in robotics, surgeons use robotic arms to carry out a minimally invasive procedures with potentially more accuracy. So what about 3-D printing? Technically, it’s been around since the 1980s, but hasn’t been used in medicine until recent years. Commonly used to support or replace body parts that don’t enter the bloodstream, 3-D printing has the ability to fabricate prosthetic limbs, layer by layer, from the ground up. What is 3-D printing? What is 3-D printing? In medicine, 3-D printing, also referred as additive manufacturing, is the process of using plastic or metal gel to shape a replacement body part based on a patient’s MRI or CT scan. 3-D printing is allowing prosthetics to be produced and personalized in complex shapes including hands and fingers. No longer will these devices cost thousands of dollars, removing much of the financial burden patients and their families may face. “If a parent wanted to purchase a 3-D printer of their own and produce hands for their own child, the cost of the printer and

January 27, 2015

The Pros and Cons of Laser Spinal Surgery

Sustaining a spine injury can be devastating – and can lead to significant pain, dysfunction, and loss of mobility. In recent years, laser spinal surgery has appeared on the scene, touted as a quicker and easier option than typical spinal surgery and performed for a variety of spinal conditions—with mixed results. Many patients with a spine injury try to educate themselves with internet research when trying to decide whether to have surgery, and what type to have. While laser spinal surgery can be less invasive, and effective in some cases with a certain diagnosis, there are many conditions that it is not effective in treating. Laser spine surgery is heavily marketed on the internet and TV as “better and safer” than traditional surgical techniques, and claims to give a “quicker recovery.” These claims are unproven and can be mis-leading. Patients often assume that “laser” means more technically advanced. Before you choose laser spinal surgery, it may be best to do your homework on the facility preforming the surgery. You should also get more than one opinion from an experienced spine specialist. Please contact my practice if you have any questions or are considering laser spinal surgery. What is laser spinal surgery? Laser spine surgery refers to

January 13, 2015

Dr. McCance Introduction

This is the first introductory video in an upcoming series that discusses spine health and the implications of various injuries and treatments, including surgery. Here, I discuss my background, residency and current position within the field of surgery. Thank you for watching, and to see the full series and stay updated on the latest health tips, please follow my practice on Facebook: www.facebook.com/McCanceMD

August 28, 2013

Becker’s Spine Review: 8 Ways for Spine Surgeons to Leave a Lasting Mark on the Field

I was honored to be selected by Becker’s Spine Review in July 2012 as a “Top Spine Surgeon Leader for Non-Profit Hospitals” and then again in October 2012 as a “Spine Surgeon Leader to Know.” This month, Becker’s Spine Review interviewed me again for “8 Ways Spine Surgeons to Leave a Lasting Mark on the Field.” Below please find my answers, as dictated to Editor-in-Chief Laura Miller. Spine surgeons have a huge responsibility to provide safe, effective and cost-effective care to patients on a daily basis. However, for surgeons who want to go the extra mile to impact spine care beyond their practice, there are several avenues worth exploring. Advocate for healthcare policy. As healthcare reform moves forward, it will be crucial for spine surgeons to participate in local and national advocacy efforts to positively influence healthcare policy. Surgeons understand what their patients need and have several options to ensure their voices are heard. “One of the big things surgeons can do today is advocating for health policy to protect the ability to provide patient care, access to care and procedure coverage,” says Sean McCance, MD, co-director of spine surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital and director of Spine Associates in New York. “There are several things

June 18, 2013

The July Effect: Patient Spinal Care Service Unaffected in July

A controversial topic has been dominating headlines recently, and is an important issue that I’d like to discuss. It’s the phenomenon known as the “July Effect” – the notion that being admitted to a teaching hospital in July, the month in which medical students begin residency, will increase the risk of poor patient care and medical errors. With this uptick in concern, numerous articles have been published about the topic and rightfully disprove the claim, including research from The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine and The Mayo Clinic. In my opinion, the July Effect is absolutely false. The Journal of Neurosurgery: Spine found that among the sicker, high-risk patients who had more illnesses and higher rates of mortality, there was no difference in any outcome of patients admitted in July compared to those admitted in another month. Jennifer S. McDonald, a researcher in the radiology department at the Mayo Clinic, made the poignant argument that “if there really was a July effect, we would expect it to manifest in these patients.” I agree. Let’s look at spinal surgery specifically – a practice that is immensely delicate and technically demanding. At Mt. Sinai Hospital, on my service, the residents are closely supervised

March 25, 2013