A continuing pain point for spine and orthopedic surgeons is prior authorizations and working with payers to get patients' care covered. 

Spine surgeons working with academic spine programs should remember their "true north"— exceptional patient care — to stay strong in the new year, Ali Baaj, MD, said.

Spine technology, robotics and artificial intelligence are at a pivotal point, and two key considerations will play a role in their future, Ali Baaj, MD, said.

Rajesh Arakal, MD, of Plano-based Texas Back Institute, has become an expert with spinal navigation technology and said he sees artificial intelligence as a potential game changer in the space.

Frank Phillips, MD, is heading into the new year with a new spine tool in his arsenal.

While spine and orthopedic surgeons may be prepared to execute flawless operations for their patients on surgery day, several other factors can determine whether a surgery is successful. 

The orthopedic leaders who will get ahead in 2025 will home in on opportunities and communication.

Getting familiar with enabling technologies and other innovations should be a top priority for spine surgeons who want to have a strong 2025.

Spine surgery has a glaring gender disparity, and there are notable gaps between orthopedic spine surgeons and neurosurgeons, says Rachel Bratescu, MD, of Washington, D.C.-based George Washington University Hospital.

The future of spine robots is headed to automation, but the transition to the technology can be smoother than anticipated, Jason Lowenstein, MD, said.

Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, shared his expertise with Becker's on topics including artificial intelligence and spine robots.

Endoscopic spine surgery is poised to play an increasing role in patient care, but questions about dominating techniques and payer responses remain, Brandon Hirsch, MD, said.

Ravi Chari, MD, CEO of Orthopaedic Solutions Management, is staying one step ahead of a challenging healthcare landscape.

Ezriel Kornel, MD, has spent his career at the forefront of spine surgery's advancement. 

A second term under President-elect Donald Trump has a broad range of implications for the direction of healthcare policy and spine care.

Four key elements have helped Justin Scheer, MD, of Los Angeles-based Cedars-Sinai, assess the value of new spine innovations in a growing landscape.

Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute has been at the forefront of spine care, and recently a team partnered with Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in the same city to develop a device for paralysis patients called NuroSleeve.

A national IV fluid shortage expected to affect the healthcare landscape through the remainder of the year has some spine surgeons thinking about how stay prepared when unexpected supply chain issues strike.

Across the nation health systems and physician practices are reeling amid an IV fluid shortage after Hurricane Helene damaged a Baxter International plant in North Carolina. Spine surgeons discuss how they are strategizing amid the ripple effects.

Endoscopic spine surgery has a significant learning curve to overcome, but it's not out of reach for spine surgeons at any stage of their careers, Dean Perfetti, MD, told Becker's.