Spine

Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at Sugar Land (Texas) Hospital has added spine surgeon Alexander Molinari, DO, according to an Aug. 19 report from the Fort Bend Herald. 

The vertebral bone quality score can help improve predictions for the fusion risk score for patients undergoing thoracic and lumbar spinal fusions, according to a study in the July 1 issue of Spine.

Spinal surgeon Arthur Steffee, MD, referred to in a Cleveland Clinic article as the "father of modern spine surgery," has died at 90, according to an Aug. 17th report from the Cranberry Eagle.

Spine surgeon Michael Faloon, MD, joined Westbury-based New York Spine Institute, according to an Aug. 16 news release. 

Milwaukee Brewers player Christian Yelich is scheduled to undergo season-ending back surgery Aug. 16, according to an MLB.com report.

Here's how the cost of cervical spinal fusions stack up across the 10 most populated states, according to Sidecar Health:

Here's how the cost of lumbar spinal fusions stack up across the 10 most populated states, according to a report by Sidecar Health:

Continued innovation in spine techniques and technology are reshaping what the "gold standard" will be.

UnitedHealthcare is launching a national gold-card program, and leaders of spine and orthopedic organizations are thinking about the benefits and potential drawbacks of it.

Carmel-based Indiana Spine Group added three physicians to its practice, according to an Aug. 14 news release.