Working Groups

Purpose:
To advance clinical and surgical understanding of spinal deformities, including scoliosis, kyphosis, and sagittal imbalance.

Focus Areas:

• Development of standardized treatment algorithms

• Comparative studies of fusion vs. non-fusion methods

• Education on deformity correction techniques

Contribution to ISS:
This group promotes international collaboration on improving outcomes in patients with spinal deformities and establishing global guidelines for deformity management.

Purpose:
To promote innovation and excellence in minimally invasive techniques for spinal pathologies.

Focus Areas:

• Endoscopic and tubular retractor systems

• Navigation and robotic-assisted surgery

• Reduction of postoperative pain and recovery time

Contribution to ISS:
The group develops consensus statements and organizes training workshops to enhance the global adoption of safe, effective minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Purpose:
To improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment effectiveness for spinal pain syndromes.

Focus Areas:

• Neuropathic and mechanical pain differentiation

• Interventional pain procedures and neuromodulation

• Chronic pain rehabilitation strategies

Contribution to ISS:
Through clinical studies and multidisciplinary collaboration, the group helps refine pain management protocols and reduce chronic disability rates worldwide.

Purpose:
To strengthen rehabilitation practices in preoperative and postoperative spinal care.

Focus Areas:

• Evidence-based physiotherapy approaches

• Kinesiotherapy and functional recovery programs

• Prevention of secondary complications after surgery

Contribution to ISS:
This group supports training programs and promotes integration of physiotherapists into spine care teams to ensure holistic recovery for all patients.

Purpose:
To improve patient outcomes after spinal cord injury through rehabilitation innovation and early intervention.

Focus Areas:

• Neuroplasticity-based rehabilitation

• Robotics and virtual reality therapy

• Functional electrical stimulation (FES) applications

Contribution to ISS:
The group fosters international data sharing and clinical trials to redefine long-term care standards for spinal cord injury patients.

Purpose:
To enhance early diagnosis and treatment of inflammatory spinal diseases such as ankylosing spondylitis.

Focus Areas:

• Biologic and immunomodulatory therapies

• Imaging-based diagnostic protocols

• Patient education and long-term monitoring

Contribution to ISS:
This group collaborates with rheumatology societies to unify diagnostic criteria and optimize multidisciplinary care for inflammatory spinal conditions.

Purpose:
To improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of spinal infections.

Focus Areas:

• Management of spondylodiscitis and epidural abscesses

• Antimicrobial stewardship and surgical protocols

• Outcome registries for infection-related spine cases

Contribution to ISS:
By developing evidence-based recommendations, the group enhances awareness and promotes standardized management of spinal infections globally.

Purpose:
To deepen anatomical understanding and surgical safety in spinal procedures.

Focus Areas:

• Comparative and applied spinal anatomy

• Advanced imaging and 3D reconstruction

• Anatomical education and cadaveric workshops

Contribution to ISS:
The group supports ongoing education and fosters research linking anatomical discoveries to clinical innovation and surgical excellence.

Purpose:
To explore and integrate emerging technologies in spinal neuromodulation and bioengineering.

Focus Areas:

• Spinal cord stimulators and brain–spine interfaces

• AI-assisted diagnostics and smart implants

• Neuroprosthetics for motor recovery

Contribution to ISS:
This group connects engineers, neuroscientists, and clinicians to accelerate the translation of neurotechnological advancements into real-world spine care.

Purpose:
To drive innovation, clinical research, and technological development across all fields of spinal medicine.

Focus Areas:

• Clinical trials and outcome research

• Biomaterials, tissue engineering, and regenerative therapies

• Data-driven approaches and AI in spine care

Contribution to ISS:
The R&D group coordinates international research collaborations and supports scientific dissemination to continually improve spine-related health outcomes.

Purpose: To advance the management of acute spinal injuries resulting from trauma, optimizing patient stabilization, neurological preservation, and long-term functional recovery.

Focus Areas:

• Emergency protocols and spinal stabilization techniques
• Classification systems and predictive outcome models
• Multidisciplinary trauma care and secondary injury prevention

Contribution to ISS: This group promotes international guidelines for trauma care, facilitates data registries for injury patterns, and supports training initiatives to improve survival rates and reduce disability in spinal trauma patients worldwide.

Purpose: To enhance diagnosis, treatment strategies, and survivorship for primary and metastatic tumors affecting the vertebral column.

Focus Areas:

• Separation surgery and spinal stability reconstruction
• Multimodal therapies including radiotherapy and systemic treatments
• Minimally invasive approaches for tumor resection

Contribution to ISS: The group fosters collaboration with oncology societies, develops consensus on staging and management algorithms, and promotes global registries to improve evidence-based care and quality of life for patients with vertebral malignancies.

Purpose: To improve outcomes in rare intramedullary and intradural spinal cord tumors through refined diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.

Focus Areas:

• Advanced neuroimaging and intraoperative monitoring
• Surgical resection techniques with neurological preservation
• Adjuvant therapies and clinical trial development for spinal cord tumors

Contribution to ISS: This group encourages international multicenter studies, shares expertise on complex microsurgical techniques, and works toward standardized protocols to enhance survival and functional preservation in patients with spinal cord malignancies.

Purpose: To optimize pharmacological interventions in spinal disorders, from perioperative management to chronic condition treatment.

Focus Areas:

• Perioperative analgesia and anti-inflammatory regimens
• Pharmacotherapy for neurodegenerative and inflammatory spinal conditions
• Drug delivery systems and pharmacogenomics in spine care

Contribution to ISS: The group collaborates with pharmacologists and clinicians to develop evidence-based guidelines, evaluate emerging medications, and promote safe, effective drug therapies that complement surgical and rehabilitative approaches in spinal medicine globally.