Here’s how a bio implant stopped Long Island woman’s ‘horrific’ athritis in its tracks: ‘This is the future’

New York Post - May 14th, 2025

Dawn Steiner, a 58-year-old speech pathologist from Long Island, has experienced a significant improvement in her rheumatoid arthritis symptoms thanks to a pioneering bio-implant. Suffering from debilitating pain for over 15 years, Steiner had tried numerous medications with severe side effects before taking part in a medical trial. The implant, designed by SetPoint Medical, is minimally invasive and works by stimulating the vagus nerve to reduce inflammation. This device, which requires only a minute of daily stimulation, has drastically reduced Steiner's pain levels, allowing her to resume activities she once loved.

This innovative treatment represents a significant advance in managing rheumatoid arthritis, offering hope to many patients with similar conditions. Dr. Kevin Tracey, a key figure in the development of this technology at Northwell's Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, highlights its potential for widespread use pending FDA approval. With the implant showing promising results in its early stages, it may soon become a mainstream treatment option, providing a new therapeutic pathway for those suffering from chronic inflammatory conditions.

Rheumatoid Arthritis Dawn Steiner Kevin Tracey Set Point Medical Northwell Health Feinstein Institutes Bio Implant Vagus Nerve Medical Trial Fda Approval

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

7.6

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively communicates the promising outcomes of a novel bio-implant for rheumatoid arthritis, supported by credible sources and clear explanations. It excels in readability and timeliness, capturing the reader's interest with a compelling personal story. However, it could benefit from a more balanced perspective by including voices from additional medical experts and detailed clinical data. Transparency regarding the trial's methodology and potential conflicts of interest would enhance its credibility. While the story has the potential to influence public opinion and spark meaningful discussions, its impact is somewhat limited by the lack of comprehensive data and broader viewpoints. Overall, the article provides valuable insights into an emerging treatment but could be strengthened by addressing these areas.

Accuracy

The story accurately reports on the pioneering bio-implant for rheumatoid arthritis, aligning with known facts about the clinical trial and the roles of the involved medical professionals. For instance, it correctly identifies Dawn Steiner as a patient who benefited from the implant and Dr. Kevin Tracey as a key figure in its development. The description of the implant's mechanism—stimulating the vagus nerve to reduce inflammation—is consistent with scientific understanding. However, the story could improve by providing more specific data from the clinical trial to support its claims about efficacy and safety.

Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive outcomes of the bio-implant, as experienced by Dawn Steiner, and includes expert commentary from Dr. Kevin Tracey. However, it lacks perspectives from other medical professionals or patients who might offer different views on the treatment's efficacy or potential risks. Including such viewpoints could provide a more balanced picture of the implant's impact and potential limitations.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, accessible language to explain complex medical concepts, such as the function of the vagus nerve and the implant's operation. The logical flow from problem to solution helps readers understand the narrative. However, some technical terms could be better explained for a general audience.

Source quality

The story leverages credible sources, such as direct quotes from Dr. Kevin Tracey and patient testimony from Dawn Steiner. These sources are authoritative, given Dr. Tracey's role at Northwell’s Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research. However, the story does not cite independent medical experts or peer-reviewed studies, which could enhance the depth and reliability of the reporting.

Transparency

The article provides some transparency regarding the clinical trial's context and the implant's development. However, it does not fully disclose the methodology or potential conflicts of interest, such as financial ties between Dr. Tracey and SetPoint Medical. More detailed information about the trial's design and participant demographics would improve transparency.