Spine

Becker's reported on four key spine and orthopedic studies during the third quarter of 2023:

While major insurer Aetna has taken steps to expand its coverage for spine and orthopedic care in the last year, for some surgeons, it's still not enough. 

As minimally invasive spine procedures increase in popularity, so too does their prevalence in the ASC setting. 

Christopher Shaffrey, MD, is chief of the spine division at Duke University School of Medicine in Durham, N.C.

Here are 21 spine and neurosurgeons who joined new practices or added to their titles in the third quarter of 2023:

From motion-preserving techniques to advanced navigation technologies, there are multiple emerging trends in spine surgery.

Byron Stephens, II, MD, is division chief of orthopedic spine surgery at Nashville, Tenn.-based Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

David Frim, MD, PhD, who was chief of neurosurgery at the University of Chicago Medicine, died Aug. 22 at the age of 63.

John Shin, MD, is chief of spine neurosurgery at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The prior authorization system is seen as flawed by many surgeons working in orthopedics, spine surgery and beyond.