Spine

The number of spine procedures performed in the U.S. has reached more than 259,869 since 2015, according to the 2025 American Spine Registry, a partnership between the American Association of Neurological Surgeons and the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. 

Most lumbar and cervical spine surgery patients fall into body mass index categories 3 and 4, according to the American Spine Surgery 2025 Annual Report.

Lumbar spine cases saw an overall distribution of male and female patients across all ages, while cervical spine cases had some small variances, according to the American Spine Surgery 2025 Annual Report.

Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion can be done in the outpatient setting, but reimbursements vary between ASCs and hospital outpatient departments, according to a study in the March 2025 issue of The Spine Journal.

Semaglutide use in patients with Type 2 diabetes was associated with reduced postoperative complications after 90 days, according to a study in the March 2025 issue of The Spine Journal.

Here are three spine surgeons who moved to new practices in February:

Planet TV Studios will air the latest episode of its docuseries, "New Frontiers," on Bloomberg March 1, highlighting the work of Greenwood, S.C.-based South Carolina Spine Center and Michael Kilburn, MD. 

In different practice settings and markets, spine surgeons tackle unique hurdles when it comes to managing costs, maintaining independence and finding their niches.

Jeremy Damron, frontman for the heavy metal band Volcano, has undergone a posterior lumbar implant fusion at Tristate Neurosurgical Associates in Owensboro, Ky., according to a Feb. 21 report from Vice.

Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Hatef, MD, had his medical license suspended after performing "unnecessary operations" on three patients, two of whom died, The Columbus Dispatch reported Feb. 20.