The average orthopedic spine surgeon salary nationwide is $844,422, according to the 2022 Medical Group Management Association Compensation & Production Report.

Michael Drobot, who served prison time for paying illegal kickbacks for spine surgeries at the now-defunct Pacific Hospital, was sentenced to another 15 months in prison for not paying money that he owed the government, The Press Telegram reported Nov. 17.

Spine surgeons saw a major victory in a yearslong payer battle this year when Aetna revised its lumbar disc replacement policy in February. Now, some surgeons are looking ahead to the next hurdle they could face from insurers.

Hospital charges for elective total cervical disc replacement increased significantly from 2009 to 2019, Medicare reimbursement hasn't kept up, according to a study published in the November 2023 issue of the Journal of Neurosurgery.

For years, the field of orthopedic and spine surgery has remained remarkably undiverse, boasting the highest percentage of active physicians identifying as white. 

PathKeeper Surgical's 3D optical navigation system has been used in Massachusetts for the first time during a spinal fusion surgery at Southcoast Health's St. Luke's Hospital in New Bedford. 

Here are the things spine surgeons and physicians are grateful for in 2023 ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

Scoliosis affects 2% to 3% of the U.S. population, or approximately 6 million  to 9 million people. The condition accounts for more than 38,000 spinal fusion procedures each year, according to the National Scoliosis Foundation. Scoliosis affects professional athletes, musicians, actors and others on a daily basis.

Here are five surgeons receiving recognition that Becker's has reported on since Oct. 19:

Here are four spine and orthopedic surgery "firsts" since Oct. 1.

Sigurd Berven, MD, professor in residence and chief of spine service at UCSF Health sees spine surgery moving outpatient as technology develops and surgeons become more precise with their approach to care.

Next year could see increased integration of endoscopic spine techniques, according to Paul Houle, MD. 

Physicians at the University of Louisville (Ky.) Medical Center have performed spine surgery on Virginia running back Perris Jones after he was injured in the third quarter of the team's 11th game of the season, according to a Nov. 11 report from ABC affiliate WHAS.

Here are five spine centers to know:

The Cincinnati-based UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute has launched a new clinical trial aiming to improve postsurgical pain and reduce opioid dependency and length of stay for patients undergoing spine surgery. 

Spine technology company Spinal Elements is celebrating 20 years in the business. 

Golden, Colo.-based Panorama Orthopedics & Spine Center added Justin Ledesma, MD, according to a Nov. 8 LinkedIn post.

While it's important for spine surgeons to strategize on cost savings and revenue boosts, it's just as vital to know where to invest money when it comes to running a strong practice.

Spinal implant specialist the Spineway Group has appointed Sandrine Carle as deputy CEO. Ms. Carle originally joined Spineway in July 2022 when the company acquired Spine Innovations, where she was CEO. 

Healthcare technology company Aclarion has added Roger Hartl, MD, professor of neurological surgery and director of spinal surgery at the Weill Cornell Brain and Spine Center in New York City and co-director of NewYork-Presbyterian Och Spine, as the 10th and final member of its key opinion leaders panel.