Back pain tops the charts as the world's leading cause of pain and disability. But do we really know which treatments work? We interview esteemed spinal neurosurgeon Dr Ralph Mobbs, principal investigator of the SUcceSS study, run by Professor Manuela Ferreira and the Musculoskeletal research team at The George Institute for Global Health. By participating in this and other research, Dr. Mobbs is on a mission to generate much-needed evidence into the effectiveness of interventions such as surgery to treat degenerative spine conditions.

Back pain tops the charts as the world's leading cause of pain and disability. But do we really know which treatments work? We interview esteemed spinal neurosurgeon Dr Ralph Mobbs, principal investigator of the <a href="https://www.georgeinstitute.org/our-research/research-projects/success-surgery-for-spinal-stenosis-a-randomised-placebo-controlled-trial">SUcceSS</a> study, run by Professor Manuela Ferreira and the Musculoskeletal research team at The George Institute for Global Health.&nbsp;By participating in this and other research, Dr. Mobbs is on a mission to generate much-needed evidence into the effectiveness of interventions such as surgery to treat degenerative spine conditions.

The Scan podcast from The George Institute for Global Health explores the latest research, emerging evidence, and crucial progress towards developing practical approaches towards better treatments, better care and healthier societies globally.
If you’re a medical professional, work in research, or are just passionate about global health, then this is the podcast for you.

For more, find us on social media with #TheScanPodcast 
Know more about The George Institute for Global health.

The Scan podcast from The George Institute for Global Health explores the latest research, emerging evidence, and crucial progress towards developing practical approaches towards better treatments, better care and healthier societies globally. If you&rsquo;re a medical professional, work in research, or are just passionate about global health, then this is the podcast for you. For more, find us on social media with #TheScanPodcast&nbsp; Know more about <a href="https://www.georgeinstitute.org/what-we-do">The George Institute for Global health</a>.

The Scan

The Scan podcast from The George Institute for Global Health explores the latest research, emerging evidence, and crucial progress towards improving health all over the world.
If you’re a medical professional, work in research, or are just passionate about global health and how science can improve people’s lives, then this is the podcast for you.

For more, find us on social media with #TheScanPodcast 

The Scan podcast from The George Institute for Global Health explores the latest research, emerging evidence, and crucial progress towards improving health all over the world. If you&rsquo;re a medical professional, work in research, or are just passionate about global health and how science can improve people&rsquo;s lives, then this is the podcast for you. For more, find us on social media with <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23TheScanPodcast&amp;src=typed_query">#TheScanPodcast&nbsp;</a>

Back pain treatment: How do we decide when – or if – to intervene?

This bitesize episode features Dr Elisa Pineda, a researcher working at the forefront of nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Elisa shares new insights into how simple dietary changes—like swapping regular salt for potassium‑enriched salt—could significantly reduce high blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. She discusses why this work matters, what communities are telling researchers, and how governments and the food industry can help make healthier choices easier and more accessible for everyone.

This bitesize episode features Dr Elisa Pineda, a researcher working at the forefront of nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Elisa shares new insights into how simple dietary changes&mdash;like swapping regular salt for potassium‑enriched salt&mdash;could significantly reduce high blood pressure and the risk of heart disease. She discusses why this work matters, what communities are telling researchers, and how governments and the food industry can help make healthier choices easier and more accessible for everyone.

Salt, Potassium, and Prevention: A New Approach to Heart Health

This bitesize episode features Gabriela Cipriano Flores, a public health researcher exploring how extreme heat affects pregnant women in India. Gabby shares the story behind the Heat in Pregnancy study, the groundbreaking cohort research underway across three climate‑diverse regions, and what the team hopes to uncover about heat exposure, pregnancy outcomes and future policy implications. She also reflects on her journey as part of the Emerging Thought Leaders program, and how translating evidence into meaningful, real‑world impact drives her work.

This bitesize episode features Gabriela Cipriano Flores, a public health researcher exploring how extreme heat affects pregnant women in India. Gabby shares the story behind the Heat in Pregnancy study, the groundbreaking cohort research underway across three climate‑diverse regions, and what the team hopes to uncover about heat exposure, pregnancy outcomes and future policy implications. She also reflects on her journey as part of the Emerging Thought Leaders program, and how translating evidence into meaningful, real‑world impact drives her work.

Inside the Heat in Pregnancy Study – India

In this episode of The Scan, we speak with Registered Nurse and Associate Project Manager Clare Goodson and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Professor Andrew Metcalfe about the METEOR2 Study—a major international clinical trial investigating the most effective treatment for people experiencing persistent knee pain after a meniscectomy.

The study compares two evidence‑based options: Personalised Knee Therapy and Meniscal Allograft Transplant Surgery, aiming to determine which approach provides the best clinical and cost‑effective outcomes for patients without arthritis who continue to struggle with knee pain or functional loss.

If you’re a potential participant or a clinician interested in referring patients, you can contact the research team at meteor2.study@sydney.edu.au.

In this episode of The Scan, we speak with Registered Nurse and Associate Project Manager Clare Goodson and Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon Professor Andrew Metcalfe about the METEOR2 Study&mdash;a major international clinical trial investigating the most effective treatment for people experiencing persistent knee pain after a meniscectomy.
The study compares two evidence‑based options: Personalised Knee Therapy and Meniscal Allograft Transplant Surgery, aiming to determine which approach provides the best clinical and cost‑effective outcomes for patients without arthritis who continue to struggle with knee pain or functional loss.
If you&rsquo;re a potential participant or a clinician interested in referring patients, you can contact the research team at meteor2.study@sydney.edu.au.

Back pain treatment: How do we decide when – or if – to intervene?

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