Association for the Study and Treatment of the Spine, formerly: Polish DERO Group Association

The Polish DERO Group Association (PG DERO) was established during the 2nd Conference of the Neuro-Orthopaedics Section of the Polish Society of Neurosurgeons in Łódź-Dobieszków on 14 May 1994.

In order to meet medical needs and the necessity to coordinate activities and integrate the medical and engineering communities, eminent specialists involved in the creation and use of the Polish spinal implant system and scientists mainly engaged in research and development tasks established the Polish DERO Group Association. The aim of its activity was the rapid development and widespread implementation in surgical practice, as well as the promotion of an original Polish corrective-stabilization system for the surgical treatment of the spine. A Polish school of spine treatment and a teaching and training system were established to enable surgeons to improve their qualifications and to quickly spread Polish solutions both at home and abroad.

Dr Daniel Zarzycki from Zakopane was elected as the first president of the Polish DERO Group, and Dr Lechosław F. Ciupik from Zielona Góra became the Chairman of the Council.

As a result of the changes taking place, during the General Meeting of Members of the Association in 2005, a decision was made to change the name to the Association for the Study and Treatment of the Spine (SSiLK). Dr Jerzy Pieniążek, a neurosurgeon from Bytom, was elected the next President.

Over the course of several decades of activity, the Association has systematically participated in numerous scientific conferences in Poland and abroad, contributing to the development of spondyloimplantology. With the cooperation of SSiLK, 30 courses have been organised by the end of 2025, during which 614 people (539 surgeons and 75 nurses) from Poland, Germany, Lithuania, Israel, Mexico, India, Palestine, Colombia and Portugal have been trained. The first nine one-week courses were held in Zakopane between 1995 and 1999. Since 2005, the courses have been accredited by the Supreme Medical Chamber in Warsaw and provide valuable postgraduate training experience for neurosurgeons and orthopaedic surgeons. The training programme is adapted to the current level of knowledge in spondyloimplantology, technical/technological progress and trends recommended by the medical community as a result of an analysis of medical needs.

To this day, SSiLK continues to conduct highly effective research and development activities aimed at advancing the treatment of spinal disorders, involving a wide range of physicians and medical facilities. The Association’s members include many distinguished neurosurgeons, orthopaedic surgeons and engineers from Poland and abroad, who constitute its teaching and expert staff.