About The SASMission Statement
What is Spine Arthroplasty?
Vision of The SAS
Continuing Education Mission Statement
History of The SAS
Recent Activities of The SAS
Long Term Direction of The SAS
How do I Join The SAS? SAS American Medical Association Initiative
The SAS is pleased to bring to your attention a new initiative we’re embarking on, official representation in the American Medical Association’s (AMA) House of Delegates... More > Mission StatementThe SAS - The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery - Is a global, scientific and educational society organized to provide an independent venue to discuss and address the issues involved with all aspects of basic and clinical science of motion preservation, stabilization, innovative technologies, MIS procedures, biologics and other fundamental topics to restore and improve motion and function of the spine for: surgeons, scientists, inventors and others. SAS is dedicated to advancing major evolutionary steps in spine surgery. What is Spine Arthroplasty? As a medical specialty, the spine industry has experienced steady growth over the past several years, with arthrodesis (spine fusion) recognized as the best current available option for resolution of degenerative disc disease and associated low back pain conditions. However, with a multitude of new technologies and techniques being researched, developed and introduced, there is an evolutionary segment about to be realized.
This segment, referred to as "Spine Arthroplasty", encompasses non-fusion techniques and minimally invasive technology surrounding total disc replacement, nucleus replacement, dynamic stabilization, motion preservation technologies, facet joint replacement as well as annulus and nucleus repair and regeneration. Most importantly in consideration of the patient, Spine Arthroplasty will offer significant improvement in pain reduction, re-establishment of a near full range-of-motion, and restoration of natural disc height, while keeping the facet joints and surrounding ligament structures and tissues intact. A key element of Spine Arthroplasty is not only the introduction of a new class of devices and techniques, but a resulting paradigm shift that will change the mindset as to what is seen or expected as successful when treating degenerative disc disease. Vision of The SASThe SAS is a special interest group of medical and associated specialists devoted to the field of clinical and structural amelioration and restoration of the joints of the spinal column. The SAS focus is on restoration, or replacement and potential return to normal function lost by degenerative conditions of spinal joints, especially where prostheses or orthoses may be required to accomplish these goals. While spine fusion may be the most widespread option for treating low back pain conditions today, in the near future, the options associated with Spine Arthroplasty will be available alternatives in treating spinal problems. The SAS was established on this platform and the SAS focus will be on all advances in spinal treatment with a baseline credo of promoting "the science" and not "the product". Continuing Education Mission StatementThe SAS goal is to promote the ethical exchange of knowledge, research and education to restore function and comfort to degenerative conditions of spinal joints, especially the Intervertebral disc. The SAS will advance the philosophy of natural spinal mobility through dissemination of educational materials to spinal surgeons, the medical community and the lay public. Reflecting globalization, The SAS will not be “regionalized” but be a contemporary and open forum for educating specialists throughout the world. Goals The Goals of SAS’s Continuing Education Program are: - To provide a learning environment in which the physician and other health professionals may enhance their professional growth in cognitive, procedural, compassionate and humanistic areas of spinal care for the purpose of improving the quality of patient care;
- To develop innovative continuing education activities based on a learning management experience that has a multi-faceted approach to change behavior using state-of-the-art technologies to design, implement, assess and evaluate continuing education activities and programs as a whole;
- To integrate knowledge from all programs/publications and repurpose knowledge into programs on a learning continuum;
- To increase SAS’s capabilities in measuring and understanding the needs of its physician and non-physician audiences through research into the educational needs of those segments of both the SAS membership and non-member audiences served by SAS;
- To develop mechanisms to promote evidence-based practice and outcomes measurement to improve the delivery of care;
- To meet or exceed the Essential Areas and Policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME).
Content The content of SAS’s continuing education program is related to all aspects of basic and clinical science of motion preservation, stabilization, innovative technologies, MIS procedures, biologics involved with all aspects of basic and clinical science of motion preservation, stabilization, innovative technologies, MIS procedures, biologics and other fundamental topics to restore and improve motion and function of the spine. Topics of education include clinical issues, education of the results of research in the field, and the management of care delivered. Core clinical areas and function of the spine for: surgeons, scientists, inventors and others. SAS is dedicated to advancing major evolutionary steps in spine surgery. Target Audience The target audience of SAS’s continuing education program includes members involved with all aspects of basic and clinical science of motion preservation, stabilization, innovative technologies, MIS procedures, biologics and other fundamental areas to restore and improve motion and function of the spine, this group serves surgeons, scientists, inventors and others. Types of Activities The types of activities offered by SAS’s continuing education program includes live conferences and workshops, presentations of selected scientific papers and platform sessions, and enduring materials including videotaped programming segments. Expected Results of the Program As a result of these educational activities, SAS ensures the continuing professional development of its audience as described above. The offerings are intended to enhance training and performance for the purpose of improving health delivery and patient outcomes. SAS is committed to assessing the achievement of educational objectives of the continuing education program through qualitative and quantitative methods. History of The SASThe SAS started with a discussion of the founding board members in 1999. The first meeting was held in Munich, Germany in May of 2001 with approximately 100 attendees. The SAS completed the 9th Annual meeting in London, England with almost 2,000 attendees. Recent Activities of The SASThe SAS started adding chapters in 2004 with the KOSAS- Korean SAS Chapter. In 2007 we added the Chinese Chapter and two more chapters were added in 2008, the Middle East and India Chapters. We are pleased to add the Latin America Chapter in 2009. Long Term Direction of The SASIncrease the voice of the spine surgeon in worldwide issues, improve the knowledge of all spine surgeons and improve the care of patients. How do I Join The SAS?See our Membership Information and Apply for Membership. | 
