"We aren’t the practice for surgeons who focus exclusively on operating.  We believe strongly that research and education add value to our care."


—Dr. Timothy Garvey

Ongoing Projects

Twin Cities Spine Research Department

Research projects result in findings that positively affect treatment at TCSC and the field overall. TCSC maintains a vigorous commitment to ongoing research. Our projects include those that are:

  • In the process of enrolling patients
  • Seeking follow-up from patients
  • Are in the process of being analyzed and summarized

New projects are continually being added. If you or someone you know qualifies for any of the projects listed below or if you would like further information, please contact the Research Department.


Linkage Analysis and Gene Mapping of Familial Spinal Disorders (Scoliosis, Scheuermann's Kyphosis, Spondylolisthesis, Lumbar Disc Disease, Osteoporosis)

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: Collect DNA samples and phenotypic information from study patients to detect an informative DNA polymorphism that segregates the disease phenotype from the other phenotype.

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Radiation Dosages from CT Scans

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: The objective of this study is to evaluate the dosages of CT scans that involve the spine.

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Pediatric Scoliosis (PPSS)

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: To develop a radiographic and clinical database on consecutively treated pediatric scoliosis cases and to assess outcome measures with operative idiopathic scoliosis.

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Pediatric Kyphosis (PPKS)

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: To assess outcome measures in patients with pediatric kyphosis and obtain data on currently available surgical approaches to treat pediatric kyphosis in the thoracic spine.

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Prospective Treatment Outcome Study (ProSTOS)

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: The overall purpose of this research study is to evaluate different surgical and non-operative [techniques] treatment methods.

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Developmental Spondylolisthesis:A Prospective Multi-Center Study: A two part study: (A) predicting

Status: Started


Synopsis: The goal is to identify measurements between historic controls with a changes in radiological progression or clinical outcome in Spondylolisthesis patients and identify pelvic measurements that are useful in predicting surgical or clinical outcomes.

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A Multi-Center, Prospective, Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Cervical Arthroplasty to ACDF for the Treatment of Cervical DDD - (DISCOVER)

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: To determine the safety and effectiveness of the DISCOVER Artificial Cervical Disc in the treatment of degenerative disc disease in one or two adjacent levels in the cervical spine.

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High Grade Isthmic Spondylolishesis in Adults: Long-term Outcomes of Fusion Surgery

Status: Started


Synopsis: The objective of this study is to determine the long-term outcomes of fusion surgery to treat high grade isthmic spondylolisthesis.

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Adult Deformity Outcomes Analysis (ADO)

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: We will follow and track the natural history of the pathology in surgical and non-surgical patients alike to assess the progression in adult deformity.

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Anatomical and Biochemical Correlates of Low Back pain

Status: Ended


Synopsis: The purpose of this study is to see if a larger scale study can be performed to ealuate whether the human body of a patient with longstanding low back pain due to spinal disc problems has clinical and structural changes that correlate to the level of pain and difficulty performing physical tasks.

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Removal of Spine Implants for Recurrent Local Pain. Does it Work?

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety and efficacy of spinal implant removal and to determine possible predictors of its efficacy.

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Efficacy of Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthoses in the Treatment of Progressive Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: A Prospective Study Including Monitored Wearing Time

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: The purpose of the study is to determine the effect of Thoraco-Lumbo-Sacral Orthosis (TLSO) wear time on treatment outcomes in patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS), including whether a newly developed genetic marker for scoliosis is a confounding factor in the efficacy of TLSO treatment.

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The Discrepancy between Patients Reporting on Standard Functional Testing versus a Satisfaction Questionnaire versus Clinic Comments

Status: Started


Synopsis: A prospective comparison of patient perception of their outcome as reported by SF-36, NDI, ODI, a 5-question satisfaction interview, and the comments recorded in the clinic notes. The standard fuctional tests are not telling the true story.

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Early Results, Complications and Observations of the Extreme Lateral Interbody Fusion (XLIF) Technique

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: The objective of this study is to evaluate the early results and complications of a new technique performed by a single surgeon.

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Can Preoperative ODI Scores Predict Postoperative Improvement?

Status: Currently Enrolling


Synopsis: This study will examine whether the magnitude of disability measured by the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) before surgery is predictive of the magnitude of improvement that a patient is likely to obtain following successful surgery.

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