In this program, three University of Washington professors, Rick Bransford, professor of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, Trent Treadway, professor of neurological surgery and Theodore Wagner, professor of orthopaedic surgery and sports medicine, discuss three varying topics on spine surgery. There are several accepted causes of back pain that can benefit from surgical intervention with appropriately selected surgery.

Dr. Bransford discusses the limited role of surgical intervention in Spondylolysis. Dr. Marré provides an in-depth discussion of the advantages and drawbacks of various surgical treatment concepts, such as leaving the vertebrae in place and providing a fusion, as opposed to repositioning the vertebrae and maintaining the new spinal alignment with special implants.

Dr. Treadway reviews the clinical complications of minimal access surgery, which attempts to minimize pain associated with more traditional surgical techniques.