About Us

Our Mission: The ISSG is a group of surgeons dedicated to the advancement of treatment for adults with spinal deformity. Questions regarding treatment approach and techniques to achieve the best possible outcomes are studied through comprehensive multicenter prospective research studies. The ISSG is committed to being internationally recognized for the highest quality published research on new spinal deformity surgery techniques.

Members of the ISSG practice at sites across the United States. They combine their efforts to produce meaningful, cutting-edge research with the goal of advancing the evaluation, treatment and outcomes for adult spinal deformity. This collaboration promotes a high level of productivity and quality of research. Members can be found at orthopedic, neurological and spinal deformity society meetings sharing the group's research.

The group divides into working groups, each of which focus on particular interests within the treatment of adult spinal deformity. These sub-groups include cervical, minimally invasive surgery, complications, health economics and health related quality of life, proximal junctional kyphosis, pediatric collaboration, and international collaborations.

The patient always lies at the heart of the ISSG's efforts. The members constantly analyze the clinical applications of their research, working to put their findings into the context of improved patient care and outcomes.

The ISSG relies upon industry partnerships for funding in order to continue their efforts. Generous sponsors have allowed the group to initiate and follow through on many unique studies; however, additional funds are always needed to sustain these large, multicenter projects. Please visit our Support Page or Contact Us for additional information about donations to the ISSG Foundation.

The following studies have been initiated by the ISSG:

1. *Multicenter Prospective Evaluation of Complex Adult Spinal Deformity Surgery (CADS)
2. *Prospective Radiographic and Clinical Evaluation of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Deformity:   A Multicenter Study 2.0
3. *Prospective, Multi-Center Adult Spinal Deformity Outcomes Database Registry
4. *Prospective Radiographic and Clinical Evaluation of Surgical Treatment for Cervical Deformity: A Multi-Center Study
5. Multicenter Retrospective Evaluation of the Results of Revision with Extension of Fusion from L3, L4, L5 to the Sacrum and Pelvis
6. Multicenter Retrospective Evaluation of Operative vs NonOperative Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity: Clinical and Radiographic Features that Differentiate the Two Groups
7. Multicenter Retrospective Evaluation of Complications Following Adult Spinal Surgery: Working Towards a Risk Scoring System for Adult Spinal Deformity
8. Retrospective Evaluation of Changes in Spino-pelvic Parameters Related to Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy: A Multicenter Study
9. Proximal Junctional Kyphosis and Proximal Junctional Failure Following Spinal Arthrodesis: Evaluation, Prevention, and Treatment Strategies
10. Cost Effectiveness of Nonoperative Management for Adult Spinal Deformity Associated with Low Grade Scoliosis: A Prospective Study to Evaluate Disease Burden and Longitudinal Study Feasibility
11. Operative Treatment of Adult Low Grade Lumbar Spondylolisthesis: Evaluation of Treatment Strategies, Radiographic Parameters, and Patient Outcomes

*Denotes current ongoing studies

The ISSG arose from the Isola Study Group (ISG), which originally formed in 1989 to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the Isola implant system. These accomplished spine surgeons developed extensive experience with the Isola system and after concluding the project in 1992, the group was maintained to monitor the system and grow with the rapid evolution of spinal instrumentation.