One Million and Counting

Spine Nation:

Those of us at TSB, would like to thank each and everyone of you for supporting our blog site.  As the ticker keeps ticking, TSB has reached a new milestone.  The month of November has graced us with our one millionth viewer for 2011. That's right, 1,000,000 and counting, in addition we are averaging over 60,000 unique visitors per month.  Last year we had 750,000 readers, meaning that contrary to what visionary industry analysts like Mike Matson, Joanne Wuensch, or Raj Denhoy may profess, and you all know that those boys and girls never pump up the volume, TSB may just be the fastest growing spine platform in the industry, growing with laser like precision, avoiding Japanese companies at all costs, avoiding hiring relatives to write stories on behalf of our personal interests. Yes indeed, we are humbled to provide those of you in the trenches with a forum. Whether you are a sales rep, marketing director, engineer, nurse, hospital administrator, patient, surgeon, owner of a POD, delusional CEO, or had some bad plastic surgery, we love you all.  You are what makes us get up in the morning and keep a watchful eye on the industry. We keep many of you entertained, get some of you angry, and keep some of you on your toes.  No fellow bloggers, TSB will not be erecting any Golden Arches, there will be no Spine Technology Awards, neither will we be investing in a stem cell company, there will be no analyst luncheons, no Taj Mahals being erected to honor the Spine Gods, we'll just keep on keeping' on. You know what Billy Squier once sang,

You crave attention, you can never say no, Throw your affections any way the wind blows

You always make it, you're on top of the scene, You sell the copy like the cover of a magazine

Puttin' on the eyes, 'til there's nobody else, You never realize what you do to yourself

The things we see make the daily reviews, You never get free, Everybody wants you

So in closing, there's no need to write a review on NASS.  Based on your many comments, we still feel that NASS rips off the attendees, charging, say what, how much? Whoa Baby! A G note to walk around in a drug induced stupor?  Listen to Karl Rove?  Is that where our money goes, shame on you NASS.  Boring! It would have been more interesting listening to a crash survivor from the Uruguayan Rugby Team than another political bloviator. As one of our roving reporters stated, the model in the silver outfit with the headlamp was lame, the girl with the low cut top had fame, and walking the McCormick Center caused foot pain. The Baxano and SI-Bone booth had activity, but maybe that was more of a reflection of how boring many companies have become, rather than how innovative some of those technologies really are. It was nice to see David Paul and his sidekick Tatoo walking the floor. TSB wants to know who had the best new technology?  Cervical?  Lumbar? MIS? Interbody? Pain Management? Biologics?  We want to know what our readers think?  Did anyone had technology that was ripe for the pickings? You be the judge.  Is there one company that really stands out?  Who is ripe for an acquisition?  Who will be subjected to an inquisition?  As another year winds down, it will be interesting to see who is left standing when the dust settles. Once again, TSB wants to thank you for your support, now let's finish the year on a strong note.