"We aren’t the practice for surgeons who focus exclusively on operating. We believe strongly that research and education add value to our care."
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:
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.
Status: Hold
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.
Back to topStatus: Analysis
Synopsis: The objective of this study is to evaluate the dosages of CT scans that involve the spine.
Back to topStatus: Ended
Synopsis: To develop a radiographic and clinical database on consecutively treated pediatric scoliosis cases and to assess outcome measures with operative idiopathic scoliosis.
Back to topStatus: Ended
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.
Back to topStatus: Ended
Synopsis: The overall purpose of this research study is to evaluate different surgical and non-operative [techniques] treatment methods.
Back to topStatus: Ended
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.
Back to topStatus: Patient Follow-Up
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.
Back to topStatus: Ended
Synopsis: The objective of this study is to determine the long-term outcomes of fusion surgery to treat high grade isthmic spondylolisthesis.
Back to topStatus: Ended
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.
Back to topStatus: 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.
Back to topStatus: 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.
Back to topStatus: 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.
Back to topStatus: Ended
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.
Back to topStatus: Ended
Synopsis: The objective of this study is to evaluate the early results and complications of a new technique performed by a single surgeon.
Back to topStatus: Ended
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.
Back to topStatus: Currently Enrolling
Synopsis: Congenital deformities of the cervical spine are rarely mentioned in the world literature. Due to the unique experience and records of the Twin Cities Spine Center and Giellette Children's Specialty Healthcare, we have a unique opportunity to undertake a retrospective comparison of congenital defomities of the cervical spine and explore this poorly described problem.
Back to topStatus: Currently Enrolling
Synopsis: Anomalous development with instability has been the subject of many papers, but most of these describe only a handful of cases. Three good review articles are available, but they are "out of date" considering the new developments in diagnosis and surgical treatment. Thus, we have the opportunity to make an important contribution to medicine.
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