Prestigious Book Chapter Published

The 6th edition of Youman's Neurological Surgery has been published and includes a chapter by Dr Ball. Entitled 'Concepts of Disk Degeneration and Regeneration', the chapter covers the basic science and epidemiology of spinal disc disease.

Youman's is a 4 volume textbook of neurosurgery, with this edition described as the 'cornerstone of unquestioned guidance on surgery of the nervous system'.

EMST Senior Instructor Workshop

Dr Ball has attended a workshop for senior instructors and directors of the Early Management of Severe Trauma course of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The course, held in Melbourne on August 12 & 13, covered new developments in trauma care and course delivery.

Based on the American College of Surgeons Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) course, EMST trains doctors in the principles of trauma care. After completing his initial EMST training in 1999, Dr Ball was approached to become an instructor and teaches on up to 3 courses each year.

EOS scanner at Dalcross

Dr Ball's involvement at Dalcross Hospital has allowed him early access to the newly installed EOS scanner at Dalcross radiology.

From the official launch ....

'The EOS Imager will change the way orthopaedic and spinal patients are diagnosed and treated. It will have implications for patients with back pain, hip and knee problems – where vertical weight bearing images of bones are helpful. It has significant implications for children with paediatric scoliosis.

Significantly, the EOS:

• Results in up to 9 times less radiation dose (significant less radiation risk)
• Takes only 10-20 seconds for a scan (patients stand in a booth)
• Provides amazing images of full size standing weight bearing patients (Drs now have one continuous digital image and can now see weight-bearing impact on patients; piecing together of multiple individual x-rays no longer required)
• Provides geometrically accurate pictures (allowing true length and angle measurements; x-ray has geometric distortion)
• Views images in real time (quicker diagnosis)
• Gives better clarity of images (can result in better diagnosis/better view of spinal alignment/potentially less repeat surgery)
• Enables potentially treatment transforming research into spinal anatomy
• Is Nobel Prize winning technology'

Dr Ball has started to operate at Dalcross and continues to work with his mentor and colleague Dr Bill Sears both there and at the Spinal Injuries Unit of the Royal north Shore Hospital.

Teaching in May and June

Dr Ball's commitment to education has continued in May and June.

He was a Senior Instructor on the Early Management of Severe Trauma Course at Royal North Shore Hospital in May and co-directed the Australian and New Zealand Surgical Skills Education and Training (ASSET) course held at Royal North Shore in June.

He was invited by DePuy Spine to speak to training surgeons at an 'Elevating Best Practice in Spine' education event. Dr Ball spoke on thoraco-lumbar spine trauma and has continued his delivery of lectures on spine conditions to the medical students at the Northern Clinical School.

A particular highlight was being invited to the Hills Grammar School to speak to a Year 4 group about neurosurgery and the brain.

Dalcross Adventist Hospital

Dr Ball has started performing surgery at Dalcross Adventist Hospital in Killara on Sydney's upper North Shore. Dalcross Adventist Hospital is owned by the Sydney Adventist Hospital (The SAN).

Dr Ball's practice remains based in St Leonards, where he consults in the North Shore Medical Centre, operates at the North Shore Private and Royal North Shore Hospitals and works in the prestigious Spinal Injuries Unit.

The opportunity to operate at Dalcross allows Dr Ball to continue working with his mentor and colleague Dr Bill Sears and have access to specialised technology at Dalcross such as the O-arm and Stealth neuronavigation.

Welcome to New Staff (and a sad farewell)

The end of April has seen some changes in the Sydney Neurospine Practice. Our valued receptionist, Jill, has decided to retire. Jill came to Dr Ball's practice when he first returned to Sydney and has worked tirelessly for 2 years to help look after our patients. She will be sorely missed.

A big welcome to Erin who takes over her role. With a background experience in general practice and ophthalmology practice, we look forward to working with Erin into the future.

Erin is in the Sydney Neurospine office from Tuesday to Friday. Please call on 02 9438 3785 or email enquiries@neurospine.com.au with your enquiries.

North Shore Private Clinical Conference

Dr Ball attended the North Shore Private Hospital Annual Clinical Conference on April 10-11.

He presented a paper on 'Digital Practice and the Paperless Office'. Dr Ball uses electronic medical records to facilitate better access to information and improve patient care, both in and out the office. He shared his insights regarding the challenges and benefits of this modern technology.

Dr Ball was awarded the Medical Advisory Committee prize for the best paper presented at the conference.

Clinical Decision Making in Spine Surgery

Dr Ball attended an educational forum on 'Clinical Decision Making in Spine Surgery' on Friday March 18. This forum was hosted by DePuy Spine as part of their Elevating Best Practice in Spine series of educational events. He also attended a 'peer to peer' evening session on the use of minimally invasive surgical technologies in complex spine problems.

These educational events help ensure Dr Ball has up-to-date knowledge about the best treatments available for the treatment of spine disorders.

Study Tour to the Netherlands

Dr Ball has just returned from a trip to the Netherlands in Europe. One of the highlights of this trip was a visit to the St Elisabeth Hospital in Tilburg. He had the opportunity to perform minimally invasive spinal surgery with Dr C. Diekerhof (orthopaedic surgeon) and Dr J.C. de Nie (neurosurgeon).

Dr Ball subsequently attended a course on the Treatment of Adult Spinal Deformity held in Amsterdam and the University of Leiden. This course was held by Medtronic Academia. This course content covered the treatment of adult deformity and the challenges encountered in this difficult patient group. The program comprised of scientific lectures and dynamic clinical case discussions. Some surgical management techniques were highlighted in a hands-on anatomic workshop led by distinguished faculty.

Clinical Innovation Working Group

Dr Ball has being invited to join a Clinical Innovation Working Group for a project that looks to improve the care of spinal injuries.

The NSW Lifetime Care and Support Authority (LTCSA) provides care and support services for people who have experienced a severe injury in a motor vehicle accident. LTCSA have engaged Ernst and Young to undertake a project to review and identify best practices for delivery of spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury services in NSW so that the services deliver better lifetime outcomes for participants.

Dr Ball and his colleague Dr Bill Sears are the two neurosurgeons at the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNS) Spinal Injuries Unit, providing services to spinal injured patients from the northern half of NSW. The RNS unit is the only NSW spinal cord injuries unit in a major Level 1 trauma centre. One of Dr Ball's key interests is the management of spinal cord injury and he is excited by the opportunity to be part of a project that will hoperfully lead to better outcomes.

Invited Lecture in February - Spinal Cord Injury

Dr Ball has spoken at the Royal North Shore Hospital's Spinal Injuries Unit “From Injury to Independence” course held at Royal North Shore Hospital in February, 2011.

Dr Ball's presentation focussed on the early medical and surgical management of spinal cord injuries.

A wide range of participants

who are involved in the management and care of individual’s with spinal cord injury across the continuum of care

attended this course. This included those

from both metropolitan and rural areas working in various clinical areas from a mix of disciplines including nursing, social work, physio and occupational therapy.

Dr Ball and his colleague Dr Bill Sears are the two neurosurgeons at the Royal North Shore Hospital (RNS) Spinal Injuries Unit, providing services to spinal injured patients from the northern half of NSW. The RNS unit is the only NSW spinal cord injuries unit in a major Level 1 trauma centre. One of Dr Ball's key interests is the management of spinal cord injury and he is excited by the opportunity to share his passion for this area of his work.