Spine

CMS has proposed capping certain state Medicaid payments by more than $775 billion over 10 years, including $510 billion in federal savings. The proposal is drawing criticism from hospital groups, and spine surgeons are also concerned about its affects on…

Neurosurgery is evolving rapidly as advances in brain mapping, minimally invasive techniques, neuro-oncology and cerebrovascular surgery expand treatment options for patients with complex neurological conditions. The following neurosurgeons stand out for their clinical expertise, scientific contributions and leadership in driving…

Vinod Muniswamy, MD, performed Kentucky’s first case using the MaxMoreSpine endoscopic system, Georgetown-based CenterPoint Health said in a May 22 news release. Dr. Muniswamy performed an endoscopic discectomy and endoscopic rhizotomy using the system. It is designed to address contained…

Payers have historically treated spine surgery as a default hospital procedure, but that assumption is increasingly at odds with clinical reality. Advances in minimally invasive techniques, enhanced recovery protocols, and rigorous patient selection have made outpatient spine surgery a safe,…

The qualities that set the most effective spine leaders apart are the ones that focus on consistency and communication. Spine surgeons discuss the underrated qualities of a strong leader on “Becker’s Spine and Orthopedics Podcast.” Question: What leadership habit or…

As the reimbursements for spine and orthopedic procedures continue to stay stagnant, or drop in some cases, practices are working harder than ever to protect margins while ensuring top-quality patient care.  Taking site-of-service control, treating payer contracts as living documents…

Detroit-based Henry Ford Health performed what is believed to be the world’s first GammaTile procedure on spinal tumor, clickondetroit.com reported May 20. GammaTile is a small implant with radioactive cesium-131 seeds in a titanium capsule. It’s designed for targeted radiation…

Spine surgery is evolving rapidly as minimally invasive procedures, motion-preserving implants and outpatient spine techniques continue transforming how complex spinal conditions are treated. Across the U.S., spine surgeons are advancing the field through innovation in deformity correction, cervical disc replacement,…

Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt Health physicians are using point-of-care ultrasound technology to reduce imaging burden on patients with cerebrospinal fluid disorders.  Ryan Lee, MD, assistant professor of neurological surgery and director of the Hydrocephalus, Chiari and Cerebrospinal Fluid Disorders Center, introduced…

Chad Campion, MD, of Germantown, Tenn.-based Campbell Clinic Orthopaedics, is thinking ahead about the next cohort of endoscopic spine surgeons. In 2025 he launched a first-of-its kind endoscopic spine surgery fellowship for post-fellowship or practicing orthopedic spine surgeons. The three-month training…