Spine

For years, debate around endoscopic spine surgery centered on whether the technique was ready for broad adoption. Questions about safety, durability, and outcomes dominated discussions among surgeons, payers, and policymakers. That era has passed. Today, the more pressing problem is…

From CMS developments to device coverage, here are 10 payer updates spine surgeons should know headed into 2026: 1. Some fee-for-service spine procedures in traditional Medicare will have prior authorizations added, according to CMS’ new Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction model. CMS…

USA Health System’s Spine Institute in Mobile, Ala., is the first facility in a six-state region to use 3D-printed cervical spine implants, according to a Dec. 16 news release. Richard Menger, MD, chief of complex spine surgery, performed the first…

Although AI is in its infancy in healthcare, spine surgeons have found major advantages with the technology from improving imaging to administrative work.  Spine surgeons discuss what they want to do with AI in the next year. Ask Spine Surgeons…

Three physicians were cleared in a spine patient’s $3 million lawsuit that alleged his diagnosis was delayed, Missouri Lawyers reported Dec. 17. A jury ruled that emergency medicine physician Ronald Keller, DO; pain management physician Joseph Galate, MD, and orthopedic…

Melling Medical and Converge Medical Technology partnered for at-home back and neck care in veteran populations, according to a Dec. 16 news release. The collaboration will bring Converge’s MedX Home Lumbar Extension Device, AXIS Cervical Strengthening Device and digital therapeutic…

Spine surgeon Peter McCunniff, MD, joined Advanced Spine And Pain in Phoenix, he said in a Dec. 16 LinkedIn post. Dr. McCunniff specializes in minimally invasive spine surgery, disc replacement and motion preservation, robot-assisted spine surgery and advanced single-position lumbar…

Spinal Simplicity’s Minuteman G6 minimally invasive fusion device earned the FDA’s 510(k) clearance, according to a Dec. 16 news release. The next-generation system builds on the Minuteman foundation and is designed to address lumbar spinal instability. “From a clinical perspective,…

Medivis’ Cranial Navigation platform earned the FDA’s 510(k) clearance, according to a Dec. 16 news release. The Cranial Navigation platform is now the world’s first FDA-cleared augmented reality system for cranial neurosurgery. Medivis also has an AR-powered Spine Navigation platform.…

Spine surgeons are bracing for a shift after Democratic proposal and a Republican alternative addressing ACA subsidies recently failed to pass a Senate vote. Senate Democrats advocated for a three-year ACA tax credit extension, and Republicans’ alternative focused on health…