Spine

Off-label use of bone morphogenic protein for spinal fusions has been widespread for years and could expose surgeons to malpractice allegations. But how often do those allegations lead to plaintiff wins?

Intermountain Health Park City (Utah) Hospital added two pediatric orthopedic spine surgeons, according to a Nov. 20 news release. 

As spine practices head into the new year, here are four key ways surgeons can get and stay ahead of challenges.

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.…

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.