Here are the most-read articles on Becker's Spine Review during the week of Jan. 4-8:

From a surgeon donating masks to another healing a teen's spine disorder, here are three spine surgeons making headlines over the past week:

Zeguang Ren, MD, PhD, joined Stuart, Fla.-based Cleveland Clinic Martin Health, according to a Jan. 7 report from South Florida Hospital News.

A study published in The Spine Journal found a link between the number of patents orthopedic spine surgeons hold and the amount of royalties and licensing fees they receive from the industry.

Sarim Mir, MD, owner of Mir Neurology & Spine Center in Hagerstown, Md., has donated more than 40,000 masks to first responders, with 25,000 more on the way, Herald-Mail Media reported Jan. 6.

David Siambanes, DO, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in reconstructive spine surgery,performed spinal fusion to correct a severe kyphosis disorder in a 17-year-old patient in Florida.

Six spine and neurosurgeons joined new groups or expanded their practice in December:

A NuVasive study published in The Spine Journal demonstrated that single-position spine surgery has significant advantages over open spinal fusion.

From two surgeons commended for care at a Florida hospital to another recognized by a professional society, here are four spine surgeons that received honors in December:

Patients with poor bone quality may be at particular risk of early complications after spinal fusion, according to an article to be published in the February edition of Bone.

A study conducted by researchers from Penn State Hershey (Pa.) Medical Center found that most spine patients prefer in-person visits to virtual appointments.

Despite an increasing amount of research in low back pain, disability levels have failed to improve for patients in the U.S., and authors of an article in the January edition of Spine are calling for a review of clinical research into low back pain.

The estate of a spine surgeon who worked at Los Angeles-based Keck Hospital of the University of Southern California alleges he was wrongfully fired a year before his death, according to a Jan. 4 report from mynewsla.com.

Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Gross, MD, launched a scholarship for students accepted into or already enrolled in college or trade school, according to a Jan. 4 news release.

Three spine surgeons that joined new practices in December:

The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery continues to support the adoption of minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion by clinicians and payers, limited to procedures using a lateral transiliac approach.

Researchers are studying processing speed deficits in people with spinal cord injuries, according to a Dec. 31 report from the Hindustan Times.

From a surgeon debuting new technology for interbody fusion to insights on augmented reality, here are nine spine surgeons making headlines this week.

Spine surgeon Christopher O'Boynick, MD, will begin practicing at Orthopedic Associates in St. Louis on Jan. 2.

Spine surgery will continue to migrate to ASCs, arguably at a more rapid pace because of the COVID-19 pandemic, as minimally invasive techniques advance and more payers reimburse for spine procedures at outpatient settings.