Reinventing Back Surgery: Dr. Steve Falowski on SynerFuse’s Breakthrough in Chronic Pain Treatment

Episode notes

Chronic back pain affects more people than heart disease, cancer, and diabetes combined - yet treatment hasn’t meaningfully changed in decades. In this episode of Liftoff, Keith talks with Dr. Steven M. Falowski, MD, FAANS - Director of Functional Neurosurgery and Strategic Advisor at SynerFuse, the company pioneering a transformational approach to spinal surgery. SynerFuse’s patented e-TLIF procedure blends spinal fusion + neuromodulation in a single surgery, placing electrodes during the operation to prevent the chronic pain that affects nearly 30% of fusion patients today. Early proof-of-concept results show over 80% improvement - a milestone that could reshape the future of spine care. Dr. Falowski breaks down: - Why traditional fusion fails so many patients - How neuromodulation evolved into a proven, minimally invasive therapy - The entrepreneurial challenge of competing with med-tech giants - How a 15-person company is preparing for a nationwide U.S. clinical study - Why AI is accelerating breakthroughs in chronic pain treatment If you're interested in med-tech, innovation in regulated markets, or the business of healthcare, this episode is a must-listen.

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