Qasim Zaidi, MD, an orthopedic surgeon specializing in cervical and lumbar procedures, has joined St. Louis-based Signature Orthopedics, the practice said July 5.

Hospitals and independent practices are branching out spine and orthopedic care with new locations across the country in 2022.

South Bend (Ind.) Orthopaedics expanded its partnership with PatientIQ, an education and patient outcomes platform.

Daniel Elskens, MD, a neurosurgeon who allegedly performed unnecessary spine surgeries while practicing at Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Walla Walla, Wash., is closing his practice at Firelands Regional Medical Center in Sandusky, Ohio, according to the Sandusky Register.

Omaha-based OrthoNebraska was struck with a data breach that put some patient information at risk, Omaha World Herald reported June 30.

Rome (N.Y.) Health is partnering with Syracuse Orthopedic Specialists to expand access to joint replacements in the community, The Oneida Daily Dispatch reported July 1.

Raleigh, N.C.-based Compass Surgical Partners partnered with Bon Secours St. Francis Hospital in Greenville, S.C., and local physicians to offer ENT, spine and orthopedic procedures, including robotic joint replacements, according to a June 27 news release.

The Back Company, a spine care franchise from Brentwood, Tenn.-based IMAC Holdings that launched in Walmart stores, reported more than 100 percent visit growth compared to the first quarter.

Sioux Falls, S.D.-based Sanford Health has opened an acute spine center at Sanford Bemidji (Minn.) Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Center.

Bucks County Orthopedic Specialists opened a new location on the campus of Langhorne, Pa.-based St. Mary's Medical Center, Bucks County Herald reported June 23.

Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists and Advanced Orthopedics expanded to its eighth location.

Berlin-based Central Vermont Medical Center opened an orthopedic clinic in Waterbury Center, Vt., Waterbury Roundabout reported June 22.

Bradenton, Fla.-based Coastal Orthopedics began offering Intracept, a nonsurgical spine treatment for back pain. 

Genesis Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in St. Charles, Ill., developed a payment model that serves primarily Medicaid patients to expand value and access, CEO Andrew Shadid told Becker's. 

EmergeOrtho Wilmington (N.C.) is now called EmergeOrtho Coastal Region.

Lehigh Valley (Pa.) Health Network created the Lehigh Valley Fleming Neuroscience Institute to further advance leading neurology and neurosurgery care.

Three orthopedic platforms have cropped up via private equity backing since December 2021, and all of them are headquartered in the South.

IMAC Holdings, the company behind a retail spine care chain, is launching a line of spinal health and wellness products.

Aligned Orthopedic Partners is partnering with PatientIQ, a platform that analyzes patient outcomes.

Many minimally invasive spine procedures such as cervical disc replacement and microdiscectomies are performed at ASCs, but a significant portion of complex cases such as multilevel fusions and scoliosis are still being done in the hospital setting.