Sunday Op-Ed Piece

In the summertime when the weathers high you can stretch right up and touch the sky, when the weathers fine you got women you got women on your mind, have a drink, have a drive go out and see what you can find, when the weathers fine we go fishing or go swimming in the sea, We're always happy life's for living, yeah, that's our philosophy.

Yes spineologists, every now and then its good to come up and breathe, breathe in the air.  As Mungo Jerry inferred, a sabbatical is refreshing.  Go fishing, jump in the ocean, hugs you chillin' and spend some time with your loved ones. Just like our readers, commentators, and the U.S. Congress, the boys and girls of TSB needed a little rest and relaxation.  A five week vacation paid for by the people would have been nice, but, unlike the POTUS and the lame Congress its time to get back to work.  TSB must question our readers  and wants to know, has everyone had a great summer?  As we approach the autumnal equinox, everyone will be gearing up for the spine silly season.  So what does this mean?  It means that we will be going on the road, and TSB doesn't mean Iowa or Minnesota.  We will be going to CNS on October 1-6 in D.C , the Minimally Invasive meeting on October 21-23 in Las Vegas, and NASS on November 1-5 in the Windy City, topping it off with a kick flight on Southwest to CSRS on December 8-10 in Scottsdale. Who knows maybe with all the money that NASS rakes in, rather than spending it on some ridiculous guest speaker, this year they could hire the Counting Crows to entertain us.  A little pay back would be great for public relations.  If there is one thing TSB has learned about the investment community is that when they have a meeting, they know how to party.  With all the sponsorship subsidies that probably exceed hundreds of thousands if not millions of dollars, isn't it time that NASS paid us back?  Hey, let's hire another boring speaker to anesthetize the audience, or let's come in a day earlier and attend the Reverend Robin Young's annual Spine Revival.  TSB thought our members were having a Houston moment attending the recent Rick Perry prayer revival, who knows and whom really cares,  maybe old Rick himself will show up at the technology awards espousing the magic of stem cells.   With all the recent articles on stem cells the only ones that are missing are how to increase cylindrical filaments and real whiskers.

The last week has been a roller coaster ride and a wake up call for publicly traded spine companies based on the punishment that has been doled out.  Unfortunately, the disruption that some speak about is not occurring in new technologies, but in the downward spiral of stock prices. Ouch!  Am I dreaming or is this really happening to me? Some of the companies that have been tossed around have been those that believe that they are shakers and movers within the industry.  NuVasive  has been battered to the point where they have settled at a 52 week low, while AlphaTec has resembled a Duncan Yo-Yo,  while Orthofix has lost steam in light of hiring a new CEO.  Where are all those prognosticators and investors when you need them?  Have they lost their religion for spine?  TSB bets that the shorts are having a field day.  As more companies look to cut the fat, it will be interesting to see who survives in a sagging U.S. economy that will only place additional stress on the U.S. healthcare industry.  This week it was reported in various publications how cuts in healthcare may undermine the role in the labor market, as hospitals and companies look to cut overhead to reduce operating cost.  If you have a job, hang on because this ride is going to last longer than expected.

Though we were away, we noticed that there really wasn't much activity in the spine market, unless one considers Integra's launch of Zuma earth shattering.  Was that a Sea Spine product?  With a product name like that, one must wonder whether someone was hanging out in Malibu or whether they were having an ephemeral moment listening to Neil Young's  and Crazy Horse's 1975 album.  Hopefully, it was the latter.  So as we close another summer in the chapter of our lives, its time to gear up, get those suits cleaned, buff those shoes, and bring down the suitcase, let's see who will come out of the pack this fall in a tight horse race.  Will the market rebound?  Will some of the companies hit by a bear market and punishing economy rebound? Or, are we truly experiencing a correction?  It will be interesting to observe whether investor pessimisms cause angst and consternation at some of these companies.  It's been a great time to be short.  See you down the road.