Becker’s Spine Review

Pediatric spine surgeons have always had to plan for decades, not years. Now, the rest of spine appears to be catching up. Nicholas Fletcher, MD, medical director of the spine program at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta’s Orthopedic and Sports Medicine…

The Centers for Advanced Orthopaedics, a Bethesda, Md.-based orthopedic practice, called on Congress to stop Medicare physician payment cuts set to take effect Jan. 1, 2027. CMS has proposed a 1.68% cut to Medicare physician payments for 2027. The OrthoForum,…

As spine malpractice verdicts reach eight figures, surgeons are becoming more cautious about patient selection, complex procedures and managing expectations, though some warn that fear of litigation can also limit access to necessary care. Several surgeons emphasized the importance of…

Expandable interbody cages restore disc height more reliably than static cages, but evidence on spinal alignment and subsidence is mixed, according to an article in the fall 2026 issue of Vertebral Columns. Four authors from the orthopedics department at New…

Spine surgeons adopting robotic-assisted and endoscopic techniques face widely varying learning curves, with research showing large differences in the number of procedures needed to achieve proficiency, according to an editorial published in the fall 2026 issue of Vertebral Columns. The…

For years, hand surgeons treating advanced thumb arthritis have relied on removing the arthritic trapezium to relieve pain. Replacing the damaged joint has offered another possibility, but implants have struggled to deliver reliable results. Now, a new generation of implants…

Spine and orthopedic care has long been paid under fee-for-service arrangement, which reimburses physicians and facilities for each visit, test and procedure. Payers, employers and CMS are increasingly pushing toward value-based payment models, which tie reimbursement to patient outcomes and…

Hrayr Basmajian, MD, has received a Gold Award at the 2026 TITAN Health Awards for his work in cosmetic and reconstructive limb lengthening. Dr. Basmajian is an orthopedic surgeon and founder of Premier Limb Lengthening, which aims to make specialized…