Spine-Talks

Dr. Rita Roy
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Welcome to Spine-Talks®, the official podcast of the National Spine Health Foundation — your source for scholarly guidance on spinal health and wellbeing. Here, we have the opportunity to interview top spine surgeons, rehab specialists, patients, and researchers as we speak about innovative technology in the treatment of the spine, hear real patient stories, and provide evidence-based recommendations for a pain-free, active life. No matter if you are in recovery from a spinal condition or simply wish to maintain a healthy back, Spine-Talks® offers hope, education, and empowerment—straight from the nation's top spine experts. Chip in today and be a part of the effort to help create healthy backs! Donate | National Spine Health Foundation

  1. 2d ago

    SpineREADY: Taking the Fear Out of Spine Surgery

    Send us Fan Mail How can you feel more prepared for spine surgery—and what can you do before and after your procedure to support recovery? In this episode of Spine Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Michael Yung-Shun Wang, Dr. Praveen Mummaneni, and Dennis McLoughlin for a conversation about making the spine surgery journey less intimidating through education, preparation, and personalized care. The panel explores SpineREADY, an initiative focused on helping patients prepare for surgery and navigate recovery using evidence-based approaches. From physical fitness, nutrition, and bone health to pain management and movement after surgery, they discuss how care teams plan for each stage of the patient experience—and why recovery begins before surgery. You’ll learn: - What SpineREADY means for patients preparing for spine surgery - How physical preparation, nutrition, and bone health fit into surgical planning - How enhanced recovery approaches support pain management and aim to reduce reliance on opioids - Why setting expectations and creating a personalized recovery plan matter - The role of movement and rehabilitation after surgery - Why consulting a spine surgeon can help you understand both surgical and non-surgical options Preparing for spine surgery starts with understanding your options and working with your care team on a plan that fits your needs. Watch this conversation to learn how informed decisions and thoughtful preparation can help you approach treatment and recovery with greater confidence. Take the next step toward understanding your spine health. Visit the National Spine Health Foundation for trusted patient education, helpful resources, and support: https://spinehealth.org/ Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  2. Oct 27

    The Continuum of Spine Care: What Patients Need To Know

    Send us Fan Mail What is interventional spine care—and could a less invasive treatment help you avoid or delay spine surgery? In this episode of Spine Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, is joined by spine experts Dr. Robert Eastlack, Dr. Pearce Nunley, and Dr. Doug Beall for a conversation about the growing role of interventional spine care and how patients can navigate their treatment options. The panel discusses why getting the right diagnosis is the critical first step in treating back and nerve pain, as well as the importance of collaboration between interventional specialists and spine surgeons. They explore treatment options ranging from injections and nerve ablation to spinal stimulation, minimally invasive procedures, and surgery—and explain why the best treatment pathway is different for every patient. You’ll learn: • What interventional spine care is and where it fits in the continuum of care • Why an accurate diagnosis should come before treatment • Minimally invasive and non-surgical options for back and nerve pain • When spine surgery may—and may not—be necessary • Why multidisciplinary spine care can give patients more treatment options • The value of seeking a second opinion and becoming an informed participant in your care The key message: Educate yourself, understand your options, and work with a care team you trust. Finding the right diagnosis and treatment pathway can help you make informed decisions and get back to the life you love. Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  3. Aug 7

    Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery: What You Need to Know

    Send us Fan Mail In this video, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, and a panel of the leaders of the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (SMISS) discuss the benefits and advancements in minimally invasive spine surgery.  The experts highlight how.... Minimally invasive surgery reduces tissue damage, speeding up recovery and improving outcomes. It uses advanced technologies like robotics and imaging for precise, effective surgery. Patients benefit from smaller incisions, less pain, and quicker return to normal activities. Choosing the right treatment involves shared decision-making between patient and surgeon. It’s important to find a trusted surgeon and ask about their experience with minimally invasive techniques. Join us for an in-depth discussion on this revolutionary approach to spine care, and the hope it brings to patients dealing with neck and back pain. Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  4. Jun 19

    What’s New in Scoliosis Research

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Spine Talks, we explore one of the most important questions in spine health: What’s New in Scoliosis Research?  Host Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Nicolas Plais-Cotrel, orthopedic spine surgeon at the University Hospital of Granada and member of the Scientific Board of the Fondation Yves Cotrel, one of the world's leading organizations dedicated to advancing scoliosis research. Together, they discuss groundbreaking discoveries that are reshaping our understanding of scoliosis and bringing new hope to patients and families worldwide.  The conversation explores how scoliosis is far more than a simple sideways curvature of the spine. Dr. Plais-Cotrel explains the complex three-dimensional nature of the condition, the unique role of human spinal alignment and bipedal posture, and why scoliosis remains one of the most fascinating mysteries in musculoskeletal medicine.  Topics include:  • The difference between normal spinal alignment and scoliosis, and why spinal curves are essential for balance and movement  • Why scoliosis is considered a uniquely human condition linked to our upright posture  • New insights into the biomechanics of spinal growth and curve progression  • Emerging discoveries in genetics and the search for biological pathways that may explain why scoliosis develops  • How neuroscience, proprioception, balance, and vestibular function may influence spinal deformity  • The Fondation Yves Cotrel’s international research efforts to uncover the causes—or etiology—of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis  • The role of bracing, early detection, and scoliosis screening in improving outcomes for children and adolescents  • Why multidisciplinary collaboration among surgeons, geneticists, engineers, neurologists, and researchers is accelerating progress toward future treatments and prevention strategies  Throughout the discussion, Drs. Roy and Plais-Cotrel emphasize a powerful message: while significant questions remain, the future of scoliosis research has never been more promising. By bringing together leading scientists from around the world and investing in innovative research, organizations like the Fondation Yves Cotrel are helping move the field beyond treating scoliosis toward understanding—and ultimately preventing—it.  This inspiring conversation offers patients, families, clinicians, and researchers a front-row seat to the discoveries that may define the next generation of scoliosis care.  Learn More: https://spinehealth.org/spine-talks/ Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  5. Jun 1

    Breaking the Myths: Men and Osteoporosis

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Spine-Talks, Dr. Rita Roy, CEO of the National Spine Health Foundation, is joined by Dr. Paul Anderson from the University of Wisconsin and Dr. Benjamin Elder from the Mayo Clinic to challenge the widespread misconception that osteoporosis is exclusively a women's disease.  The discussion focuses on the underrecognized reality of male osteoporosis and its significant impact on spinal health, revealing critical gaps in awareness, diagnosis, and treatment that put millions of men at risk. Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  6. Jun 1

    A Coast-to-Coast Conversation: The Future of Disc Replacement in the U.S.

    Send us Fan Mail In this Spine Talk, we bring together leading spine experts from across the United States for a coast-to-coast conversation on the future of disc replacement in the U.S. As motion-preserving spine technologies continue to evolve, disc replacement is reshaping how spine surgeons approach degenerative disc disease. This expert-led discussion explores current trends, clinical outcomes, patient selection, and what lies ahead for cervical and lumbar disc replacement. Featured Speakers: Ehsan Jazini, MD Virginia Spine Institute | Reston, VA Todd Lanman, MD Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery | Beverly Hills, CA Lindsay Orosz, PhD, MSc, PA-C Spine Health Foundation - Director of Research | Reston, VA Together, they share insights on motion preservation vs. fusion, regional adoption trends, regulatory considerations, and the future of disc replacement technology in the United States. Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  7. Jun 1

    A Patient and Her Surgeon Celebrate 10 Years After Successful Complex Deformity Surgery

    Send us Fan Mail Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

  8. 10/20/2025

    Stronger Together: How Specialists Work Together to Improve Bone Health for Women and Men

    Send us Fan Mail In this episode of Spine Talks, we  explore the vital topic of osteoporosis — a condition that weakens bones and increases the risk of fractures — with two world-class experts from complementary fields: Dr. Robert Adler, an endocrinologist from Virginia Commonwealth University and the Richmond VA Center who has spent more than 30 years studying osteoporosis in women and men, and Dr. Paul Anderson, an orthopedic spine surgeon from the University of Wisconsin who leads bone health programs aimed at preventing fractures and improving surgical outcomes, and co-chairs our Task Force. Together, they uncover what most people don’t realize: bones are living, changing organs that constantly remodel throughout life. The doctors discuss: How bone health changes over time and why osteoporosis is often silent until a fracture occursSimple, preventive steps — nutrition, vitamin D, calcium, and weight-bearing exerciseDiagnostic tools like the DEXA scan, and who should be screenedThe intersection of spine surgery and bone health — why bone optimization matters before surgeryOsteoporosis in men, a frequently overlooked population with higher mortality after fracturesModern treatments, including antiresorptive and anabolic medications, their safety, effectiveness, and how they restore bone strengthThe episode emphasizes that osteoporosis is preventable and treatable, with the right combination of lifestyle, medical care, and awareness. Both doctors encourage patients to be proactive advocates for their bone health and start conversations with their physicians about screening and treatment options. Support the show  Tune in to learn about the future of spinal health!

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About

Welcome to Spine-Talks®, the official podcast of the National Spine Health Foundation — your source for scholarly guidance on spinal health and wellbeing. Here, we have the opportunity to interview top spine surgeons, rehab specialists, patients, and researchers as we speak about innovative technology in the treatment of the spine, hear real patient stories, and provide evidence-based recommendations for a pain-free, active life. No matter if you are in recovery from a spinal condition or simply wish to maintain a healthy back, Spine-Talks® offers hope, education, and empowerment—straight from the nation's top spine experts. Chip in today and be a part of the effort to help create healthy backs! Donate | National Spine Health Foundation

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Rita Roy
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    30
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Spine-Talks
  • Show Website
    Spine-Talks

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