BackTable Bone & Sports

What evidence is currently available regarding the use of genicular artery embolization (GAE) for treating knee osteoarthritis? Principal investigator Dr. Mark Little discusses the GENESIS 2 trial, a large randomized controlled study aimed at assessing the outcomes of embolizing abnormal genicular arteries to reduce pain in patients with mild to moderate knee osteoarthritis. Dr. Little explains th...

For patients suffering from intractable pain due to knee osteoarthritis, genicular artery embolization (GAE) offers a minimally invasive treatment with potential long-term benefits. Dr. Mark Little, an interventional radiologist at Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, joins us to provide an introduction to GAE. He shares his experience with the procedure and compares it to other treatments, such...

How can we ensure long-term spine health after tumor ablation? In this follow-up to our previous discussion, Dr. Glade Roper returns to the show to focus on early kyphoplasty treatment for ablation patients, aiming to prevent kyphosis and postural fatigue syndrome. --- This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Medtronic. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Roper provides detailed advice on performing ky...

Spine metastases are often painful and can impair a patient's ability to lie flat for radiation therapy. However, radiofrequency ablation (RFA) can address the bulk of the tumor and provide significant pain relief, enabling the patient to undergo radiation therapy. In this episode of BackTable MSK, musculoskeletal radiologist Dr. Glade Roper discusses his experience with spinal tumor RFA, his role...

With the breadth of minimally invasive pain management techniques that are now available, it can be challenging to sort through the options and determine the most appropriate treatment for your patient. In this BackTable Brief, Dr. Aron Chary provides an overview of cryoneurolysis and its role in interventional pain management. He describes the advantages of cryoneurolysis compared to other method...

Learn how your patients might benefit from new pain management therapies. Dr. Aron Chary and host Dr. Michael Barraza discuss the role of cryoneurolysis as an emerging therapy for knee and cancer-related pain. The doctors also discuss other practical applications and evolutions of cryo treatments in both non-cancer and cancer-related pain management. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Introduction 05:08 - Expandi...

If your patients are living with painful diabetic neuropathy that is refractory to medications, spinal cord stimulation (SCS) may be an option. Dr. Dana Dunleavy interviews interventional radiologist Dr. Blake Parsons about managing diabetic neuropathy in a multidisciplinary setting and the role of SCS. They also discuss new research findings that support the use of spinal cord stimulators and the...

How are orthobiologics transforming the back pain treatment algorithm? In this episode of BackTable MSK, host Jacob Fleming is joined by Dr. Guilherme Ferreira Dos Santos to discuss the management of lumbar pain and the role of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections. Dr. Santos is trained in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation as well as Interventional Pain Medicine, and currently practices at the H...

Spinal cord stimulation can be a useful tool for treating chronic low back and leg pain. In this BackTable Brief, Drs. Dana Dunleavy and Blake Parsons discuss the specifics of implanting lumbar spinal cord stimulation. They explore patient positioning, anesthesia, needle angulation, and the importance of targeting spinal levels correlated to pain. TIMESTAMPS 00:00 - Pre-Operative Setup 02:10 - Obt...

Acetabular lesions present unique challenges for interventionalists due to their location within the pelvis. In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, host Dr. Jacob Fleming interviews Dr. Jason Levy, an experienced practitioner in musculoskeletal interventional oncology based in Atlanta, Georgia, about techniques for ablating acetabular lesions. --- This podcast is supported by an educational gra...

Tumor embolization is a versatile procedure that can provide symptomatic and long-term benefits for patients. In this episode of BackTable MSK, host Dr. Michael Barraza discusses musculoskeletal tumor embolizations with Dr. Gina Landinez from the Miami Cardiac and Vascular Institute, where she is helping to grow the MSK interventions program. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Landinez explains that the main indica...

Interventional radiologists can play a vital role in pain management and palliative care through spinal cord stimulation (SCS). In this BackTable Brief, Dr. Dana Dunleavy speaks with Dr. Blake Parsons about this technology and the learning opportunities it presents. Dr. Parsons reflects on his introduction to outpatient spinal cord stimulation during his training at the Medical College of Wisconsi...

More often than not, a surgical innovation is not the result of an overnight success, but rather the result of iterative improvements on a tool or technique that leads to better outcomes. In this episode of the BackTable MSK Podcast, we interview Dr. Jim Marino, a retired orthopedic surgeon and prolific medtech innovator. Dr. Marino gives us an inside look at his extensive career, detailing his ro...

Genicular artery embolization (GAE) is quickly emerging as a treatment option for knee osteoarthritis when other therapies have failed. In this episode of the BackTable Podcast, Dr. Osman Ahmed discusses the origins of GAE and how he employs it in his practice. --- This podcast is supported by an educational grant from Guerbet. --- SYNPOSIS Dr. Ahmed, an interventional radiologist at the Universit...

Decisions that prioritize patient welfare can often be challenging with our physician bias toward action. Interventional radiologists Dr. Eric Keller and Dr. Sean Tutton highlight the importance of education in discussions about end-of-life care and futility. Dr. Tutton shares a poignant story illustrating the necessity of team-based approaches to futile procedures. They also discuss ethical consi...

Building a top-tier musculoskeletal (MSK) interventional service line involves taking risks, continuously learning, and always being available for your patients, according to Dr. Igor Latich, an interventional radiologist at the Yale School of Medicine. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Stryker Interventional Spine https://www.strykerivs.com --- SYNPOSIS He discusses his passion for MSK interventions and...

What is the difference between palliative care and hospice? Dr. Sean Tutton clarifies the distinctions and interactions between the two. He explains that palliative care focuses on symptom management and improving quality of life, while addressing common misconceptions about it. Dr. Tutton also provides insights on the role of palliative care physicians and emphasizes the importance of integrating...

Intentional probe selection is an important part of any ablative procedure. This MSK Brief focuses on tools for genicular nerve ablation. Dr. John Smirniotopoulos shares his perspectives on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation probes, including the Cool Leaf probe and its benefits. He goes on to explain the procedure, including ablation techniques, motor stimulation tests, and handling p...

Cervical and thoracic epidural steroid injections (ESIs) can offer relief for patients with chronic pain; however, these procedures can carry serious risks. Providers should be well-trained to anticipate and mitigate these risks before treating patients with ESIs. In this episode of the Backtable MSK Podcast, co-hosts Dr. Chris Beck and Dr. Jacob Fleming dive deep into various techniques and consi...

An epidural steroid injection (ESI) is a minimally invasive technique used to treat back pain. Providers from various specialties and settings can learn and offer this procedure. In this episode of the Back Table MSK Podcast, hosts Jacob Fleming and Chris Beck share their experiences and techniques for performing ESIs. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Stryker Interventional Spine https://www.strykerivs.c...

Genicular nerve ablation is becoming more common for patients with osteoarthritis, underscoring the preference for nonsurgical,minimally invasive treatment. Our host Dr. Michael Barraza welcomes Dr. John Smirniotopoulos to discuss his experience performing genicular nerve ablation, including a detailed ‘how-to’ on his procedure technique. The conversation delves into the anatomy and key nerves tar...

Intentional probe selection is an important part of any ablative procedure. This MSK Brief focuses on tools for genicular nerve ablation. Dr. John Smirniotopoulos shares his perspectives on radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and cryoablation probes, including the Cool Leaf probe and its benefits. He goes on to explain the procedure, including ablation techniques, motor stimulation tests, and handling p...

In this episode of The Back Table MSK Podcast, Dr. Alexa Levey discusses the importance of multidisciplinary treatment planning for sarcomas with Dr. Yvette Ho and Dr. Jessica Jones. --- CHECK OUT OUR SPONSOR Stryker Interventional Spine https://www.strykerivs.com --- SYNPOSIS The conversation explores the necessity of a multidisciplinary approach and the challenges associated with managing both o...

Basivertebral nerve ablation is a potential solution for anterior column spine pain. Dr. Olivier Clerk-Lamalice outlines a typical ablation procedure and discusses alternative approaches for challenging target locations. The procedure generally uses a transpedicular approach with an 8-gauge introducer needle, visualized under fluoroscopy. The needle angle should ensure that the probe can later be...

The basivertebral nerve has gained recognition over the past decade as a source of vertebrogenic pain. Dr. Olivier Clerk-Lamalice explains both the anatomy of the nerve and his treatment algorithm for basivertebral nerve ablation. The basivertebral nerve is intraosseous, non-myelinated, and located in the central portion of the vertebral body within the basivertebral canal. It does not regenerate...