Press and Media
View the latest AANEM Achievement Award winners, the American Neuromuscular Foundation (ANF) Abstract Award winners, and the latest AANEM news articles on News Express.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When will be content of abstracts be viewable, as opposed to just the titles?
A: The abstract content will be available at the annual meeting during the Poster Hall hours. We do not provide abstract presenter information or slides ahead of time. All available information can be found in the AANEM Abstract Guide online when it becomes available.
Q: How do I reach out to abstract or session presenters for an interview?
A: We do not offer member contact information. To connect with abstract or session presenters, review the AANEM Annual Meeting Program when available. Find the topics of interest and connect with the presenter after their lecture or during their abstract poster session time. Currently there is no interview option for virtual attendees.
Q: When can I share information?
A: The embargo on the abstracts themselves is lifted when they have been published in Muscle & Nerve and online in the AANEM Abstract Guide. However, the additional information beyond what is in the abstract itself is still embargoed.
AANEM requires information that goes beyond that which is contained within the abstract, e.g., the release of data not included in the abstract, discussion of the abstract done as part of a scientific presentation, etc. to be embargoed until the start of the annual meeting. Please see the Abstract Embargo Policy.
Q: Will the Abstract Award Reception feature the best posters?
A: The Abstract Award Reception is a social hour in honor of the abstract award winners where all authors, including award winners, will be available to discuss research.
Q: Original research is ONLY presented as posters, correct?
A: Yes - the research is presented in the Poster Hall via abstract posters.
Science News: Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and Interdisciplinary Spine Clinic Referrals Are Associated With Increased Conversion to Spine Surgery
Submitted by: Oksana Sayko, MD
Edited by: Justin Willer, MD
Citation: Yamaguchi K, Biehl S, Alostaz M, et al. Physical medicine and rehabilitation and interdisciplinary spine clinic referrals are associated with increased conversion to spine surgery. PM R. 2025;17(8):936-943. doi:10.1002/pmrj.13390
Summary: Currently, in the US, many patients receive immediate referral to a spine surgeon upon concern for any spine pathology prior to undergoing conservative management. However, research has demonstrated that referrals to spine surgeons for common problems such as low back pain are often not indicated. This leads to inefficient care, delayed conservative treatments, and longer wait times for available surgical consultations.
This study highlights an opportunity to improve efficiency in care for patients and clinicians through proper triaging for spine surgery.
Design: Retrospective study (May 2022–April 2023) of consecutive new patients referred to a spine surgery clinic. Charts were evaluated to determine if surgery was indicated at the initial spine surgeon evaluation. The proportion of patients who had an indication to have surgery was calculated based on the source of referral. An odds ratio (OR) of patients indicated for surgery was calculated to compare different specialty groupings.
Setting: All new consecutive patients evaluated between May 2022 and April 2023 on the panels of two fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeons at a single outpatient clinic in the Pacific Northwest United States were included. All patients were evaluated for symptoms of lumbar degenerative disease including stenosis, radiculopathy, neurogenic claudication and/or instability. Patients whose symptoms were associated with infections, trauma, and tumors
were excluded. Once a patient has been evaluated by one of the integrated interdisciplinary spine group providers and had maximized conservative management, patients were then referred to the spine surgical team. If there were questions regarding the indications for a spine surgeon evaluation, they were presented in one of weekly multidisciplinary meetings and reviewed by a group of spine surgeons, physiatrists, as well as pain providers.
Results: Of 503 patients, 247 (49.1%) had indications for and underwent spine surgery within 6 months of initial evaluation. PM&R referrals were more likely to result in surgery compared to primary care physician referrals. Patients referred from interdisciplinary spine clinics were also more likely to undergo surgery compared to those referred by a primary care physician. Of the patients who were referred by generalists, 42.7% were indicated for and underwent surgery; similar to the 42.8% who were indicated for surgery following a referral from a PCP. Of those who were referred by the interdisciplinary spine clinic, 63.7% were indicated for surgery; and 68.2% of patients who were evaluated and referred by PM&R were indicated for surgery.
Conclusion: Referrals from PM&R and interdisciplinary spine clinics were significantly associated with greater odds of having an indication for surgery at the time of initial evaluation by a spine surgeon. These findings highlight how
interdisciplinary efforts may reduce nonoperative consultations seen by surgical spine clinicians. This study also demonstrated that many patients referred directly to orthopedic surgeons by PCPs or generalists are not appropriate surgical candidates.