AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain

Official account of AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain. Advancing the science and neurosurgical treatment of acute and chronic pain. Tweets are not medical advice

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

ICYMI: Some insurers are denying implants commonly used in neck/spine surgery by labeling them “experimental” — despite decades of use and broad clinical support.

Washington Committee member Luis Manuel Tumialán, MD, and spine surgery leaders are calling for coverage policies grounded in evidence-based medicine and clinical expertise — not outdated insurer guidelines.

Read more 👇
https://t.co/5LWby8GNLv

@TUMI4L4N @spinesection @AANS_President @AANSNeuro @CNS_Update

[NANS Official @NANS_ION]

🧠 NANS has published a new consensus curriculum for Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) implantation training.

Developed by a NANS Educ Committee subcommittee led by Dr. Jeffrey Raskin, the curriculum outlines competency progression across 57 dimensions for DBS surgeons and trainees.

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

🚨 FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, MD, will deliver the Charles L. Plante Lecture at #AANS2026.

The AANS/CNS Washington Committee secured his participation as part of its ongoing work to bring national leaders to neurosurgery’s premier forums and advance the shared mission of @AANSNeuro and @CNS_Update.

He will be joined in conversation by Washington Committee Chair Alexander Khalessi, MD, MBA.

Don't miss out. Join us on Friday, May 1, in San Antonio!

[Katie O'Meara Orrico @KatieOrrico]

Medical liability and the use (or lack of use) of #AI in patient care remains uncharted territory but is of critical importance to high-risk specialties, like #neurosurgery, which already face significant medical liability risk.

https://t.co/1zDiRzlKsb

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

@StaudtMD @UHhospitals @UHCLENeurosurg @NANS_ION The angle of entry in the upper thoracic and lower cervical spine for a cervical SCS electrode dictates this very steep approach. Care is required to avoid injuring the spinal cord

Mastering this technique allows one to treat more patients with this valuable therapy

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

#fixpriorauth

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

@DrDamienFair Great work! Can you please post functional links for the full article?

[YPC @youngpatients]

Dr Mike Staudt, neurosurgeon from Case Western / University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, talking about neuromodulation and peripheral nerve stimulation

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

ICYMI: #fixpriorauth in #MedicareAdvantage is back on the table thanks to @RogerMarshallMD @MarkWarner @SuzanDelBene @MikeKellyPA @RepBera and @RepJohnJoyce!

Congress: No need for complex navigation. This one’s a straight shot!

✅ Bipartisan support
✅ Zero cost
✅ 500+ orgs behind it
✅ Real fixes, ready to implement

Read our press release here👉https://t.co/0m8r107LfU

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

#Neurosurgeon Brian R. Gantwerker, MD of @cscla, calls for increased #Medicare reimbursement for spine procedures. For over twenty years, reimbursements have been on the decline despite the technical difficulty of these operations and the extensive postoperative, unreimbursed care involved.

Read more 👉 https://t.co/u6QQFexYL0

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

He will be missed. Mike was a great friend of the @painsection. He was a frequent lecturer and debater in our sessions on Neuromodulation vs structural surgery for spinal pain

[AANS/CNS Spine Section @spinesection]

We are heartbroken to share the tragic news of the sudden passing of Dr. Michael Groff, his wife Dr. Joy Saini, their daughter Karenna, their son Jared, and two close family friends in a plane crash near Copake, New York.

A dedicated neurosurgeon, educator, and leader, Mike earned his medical degree from the University of Pittsburgh and completed his residency at Mount Sinai. Following a spine fellowship at the Medical College of Wisconsin, he devoted his career to advancing spinal neurosurgery. He served as Division Chief of Neurosurgery Spine and Vice Chair of Neurosurgery at Brigham and Women’s Hospital from 2011 to 2024 and was an Associate Professor at Harvard Medical School. In 2024, he became the Executive Medical Director of Neuroscience at Rochester Regional Health. He was also in the process of completing his MBA at the MIT Sloan School of Management—further reflecting his dedication to leadership and innovation in healthcare.

Mike’s leadership was deeply felt across the neurosurgical community. He served as Chair of the AANS/CNS Section on Disorders of the Spine and Peripheral Nerves, led the Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation (NREF) as Chair, and contributed to the JNS:Spine Editorial Board from 2016–2021, including as co-chair in 2021. Over his career, he authored more than 100 peer-reviewed publications and was widely recognized for his thoughtful and impactful contributions to the field.

Those who knew Mike remember his wisdom, humility, and warmth. He was a devoted husband and father.

We extend our deepest condolences to their loved ones and all who were fortunate to know and work alongside Mike. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched—patients, colleagues, trainees, and friends alike.

@CNSResidents @CNS_Update @AANSNeuro @NREFORG

[Nathan Shlobin, MD MBA 🇺🇦 @NathanShlobin]

The @painsection is seeking interested residents to build its inaugural Resident Committee. Please contact me if interested!

@AANSNeuro @CNS_Update @CNSResidents

[Joshua Rosenow @joshuarosenowMD]

#thankyou to @SenatorDurbin @SenatorShaheen @JudiciaryDems @SenJudiciaryGOP for
the bipartisan support of this bill.

Congress should also facilitate access to proven non-opioid surgical therapies such as #neuromodulation

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

@Neurosurgery and their partners are leading the way in supporting bipartisan efforts to address the illegal #fentanyl crisis. Read our press release quoting @DrAlexKhalessi on the Senate Judiciary’s hearing and the letter here-> https://t.co/AVvFZBfbxs

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

We urge Congress to address regulatory barriers that limit access to certain FDA-approved opioid therapies—often the last line of relief for patients.

TY to @joshuarosenowMD and @DrAlexKhalessi for your leadership! Read more in #neurosurgery’s press release 👉 https://t.co/K5dmoItgB6

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

#Neurosurgery is committed to the responsible stewardship of controlled substances, ensuring patients have access to evidence-based pain management. #Neurosurgeons take care of some of the sickest patients with advanced cancer, complex surgeries, and neurological disorders.

[Neurosurgery @neurosurgery]

The HALT Fentanyl Act passed cloture ✅ in the Senate with strong bipartisan support. 👏 TY to Judiciary Committee leaders, @RogerMarshallMD and @SenatorShaheen for engaging #physicians on our clinical perspective as @DEAHQ registrants. Looking forward to full chamber passage and appreciate the spirit of bipartisanship!

[Katie O'Meara Orrico @KatieOrrico]

Great interview w/@DrAlexKhalessi highlighting concerns w/capping @nih funding. Kudos to the AANS/CNS Wash. Committee for advocating to ensure the USA continues to lead in medical research.
✔️The interview👉https://t.co/jsGHgMHGdJ
✔️The press release👉 https://t.co/n35De7lamQ

[AANS @AANSNeuro]

In this month’s Waves of Discovery installment, AANS President Dr. @jacquesmorcosmd highlights the innovations that have transformed intraoperative spinal navigation. From Hounsfield’s breakthroughs in computerized imaging to Brown’s mastery of intracranial navigation, each ripple in discovery has shaped the way we navigate the spine today.

With just two chapters left in our journey and two months until #AANS2025 in Boston, April 25 – 28, the ripple effect continues. Be part of the momentum—join us as we honor the past, advance the present and shape the future of #neurosurgery. https://t.co/XsRRWmDiuD

@IsaacYangMD @DornbosIII_MD @CheeragU @DoctorZada @andrewchanMD @joseph_linzey @DrWallyMD @KatieOrrico @AliBaajMD @NeurosurgUTH @McGovernMed @alisonedye

[AANS/CNS Joint Section on Pain @painsection]

@DProvenzanoMD Great work! It is important to understand that people can have asymptomatic abnormalities that can affect #SCS trial planning. Sometimes it is necessary to call in #neurosurgery colleagues to perform an open trial.