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Private equity investment is an evolving force in orthopedics and can give practices an advantage in the market, according to physicians part of the July merger of two management services organizations.

The increase in value-based care for orthopedic cases will continue to be pushed by the transition of cases to ASCs, but staffing shortages could threaten care delivery, according to one orthopedic surgeon leader.

A lack of access to innovative technology, mounting pressures from health systems and payer denials are among some of the top worries for spine surgeons today. 

Richard Berger, MD, created a telehealth program for total joint replacement patients. He calls it Berger's Elective Surgical and Telemedicine Experience, or BEST, and the concept was conceived long before COVID-19 accelerated the use of telehealth.

While many spine and orthopedic practices have turned to consolidation or private equity investments to leverage their position in the market, Eric Freeman, DO, is remaining private.

Expansion of procedures, new technology and physicians taking back autonomy are three ways one ASC administrator sees orthopedic and spine surgery changing in the next two years. 

Increasing patient access and incorporating value-based care are among the top priorities the Orthopedic Centers of Colorado has for the second half of this year, according to Brian Larkin, MD.

Some of the top priorities for spine and orthopedic surgeons during the second half of 2022 include staying ahead of the competition against MSOs and large hospital systems, improving patient care and recruiting staff. 

Although there are several new technologies and techniques improving outcomes for sports medicine and orthopedic patients, many surgeons are not incentivized to use them, according to Kevin Stone, MD.

Spine and orthopedic experts and leaders in July spoke with Becker's Spine Review on topics from smart knee replacements to bundled payments.