Clinical Trials

Clinical studies involve patients and help doctors and researchers find new ways to improve treatments and the quality of life for people with spine disease, injury or deformity. In clinical studies, researchers methodically test drugs, medical devices, screening approaches, behavioral modifications and other interventions.

Clinical studies are used to answer many different clinical questions which can help you stay healthy and get better sooner. Participating in a clinical study at TBI can get you the most advanced treatment and help further spine research in our own community. Clinical studies are important for discovering new ways to detect, diagnose and treat spine conditions. Clinical studies can show researchers what does and doesn’t work and they add to the overall medical knowledge of how to best treat the medical conditions of patients.

Clinical studies vary from study to study but there are many similar benefits to participating in clinical studies:

• The potential of getting a newer and better treatment.
• Contributing to the advancement of medicine for a family member or friend and knowing that the knowledge gained by your participation may benefit others in the future.
• Getting the same high-quality care you would get with any treatment provided by TBI.
• Being provided research study resources including education and access study coordinators.

In order to participate in a clinical study, you must meet a strict set of criteria. These criteria are necessary in order to ensure you are the right patient for the study and to protect your safety. Your study doctor at TBI must always follow the study criteria for each specific study and must feel that in his/her medical opinion, you will benefit from the study treatment.

There are potential risks to participating in a clinical study. The risks may include:

• You may be required to spend more time at your doctor’s office for research-related procedures and follow-ups than you would have if you were not participating in a study.
• You may experience a side effect of the treatment.
• You may not receive any benefit.

Your study doctor and study team will explain to you all the risks and benefits of participating in a study.

Your health and protection are our top priority. All studies are reviewed and approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB). An IRB is a group of outside physicians, nurses, lay people and members of the community who are tasked with protecting all patients who consent to a clinical study. Studies are continuously monitored to ensure they are ethical and safe. Before you can begin a clinical study, you will be asked to sign an informed consent form. This informed consent form is study-specific and will outline the clinical study and provide all the information we can give so that you can make an informed decision on your participation.

Texas Back Institute is committed to providing the best possible care in an environment of innovation, research and education. We are truly unique in that we combine the expertise of fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons and neurosurgeons who will work together to find the best treatment for you. Together, the research today may become the standard tomorrow. See Our Current Clinical Trials

There are potential risks to participating in a clinical study. The risks may include:

• You may be required to spend more time at your doctor’s office for research-related procedures and follow-ups than you would have if you were not participating in a study.
• You may experience a side effect of the treatment.
• You may not receive any benefit.

Your study doctor and study team will explain to you all the risks and benefits of participating in a study.