Spine

The number of spinal fusions performed across the country has risen significantly over the past decade, which recently led some private payors to tighten guidelines associated with spinal fusion coverage. "If you look over the past 10 years, the growth…

Pedicle screws can cause significantly fewer complications than hooks in children with early-onset scoliosis, according to a Medscape Today report.

A new approach to spinal fusions could preserve male fertility, according to an ABC News report.

Leon Abram, MD, a traumatic spinal disorder surgeon, recently joined Danville (Va.) Spine Center, a division of Danville Orthopedic Clinic, according to a Danville Regional Medical Center news release.

Cervical spondylosis patients with sympathetic symptoms can be treated successfully with anterior cervical discectomy and fusion using PEEK cages, according to an article published in The Journal of Spinal Disorders & Techniques.

Here are five patterns and points on cervical spine surgery.

Howard An, MD, director of spine surgery and the spine fellowship at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, recently received the Kappa Delta Award from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, according to a Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush news release.

Outpatient spine is still almost entirely out-of-network, but a few payors are beginning to agree to reasonably priced in-network carve-outs. Merritt Healthcare, based in Somers, N.Y., successfully negotiated carve-outs for 16 spine procedures with a payor in Massachusetts. Matt Searles,…

The number of spinal fusions has increased dramatically over the past decade and many insurance companies are tightening the indications for coverage of the costly procedure. Greg Przybylski, MD, director of neurosurgery at the New Jersey Neuroscience Institute at JKF…

The North American Spine Society is calling for recommendations of spine surgeons to receive three organizational awards and is also reviewing committee appointments for the coming year, according to NASS news releases.