Spine

Neurosurgeon Sonjay Fonn, DO, and his fiancee Deborah Seeger settled allegations they recieved kickbacks from spinal implant companies, the U.S. Justice Department said March 22.

Here are five augmented reality spine surgery milestones since Aug. 22:

Prior authorization can be a long process for physicians and patients, resulting in time delays, increased paperwork and disrupted patient care. 

Advanced Surgery Center of Beverly Hills (Calif.) and Ortho San Antonio have completed the first clinical trials using 3Spine's new Motus device for lumbar total joint replacements.

Two spinal surgeons, Mitchell Reiter, MD, and Mark Drzala, MD, have developed the first wearable metal allergy testing device. 

Chris Hill, DO, completed his 50th case using Augmedics' Xvision augmented reality spine system, the medtech company said in a March 21 tweet.

Hamid Abbasi, MD, PhD, chief medical officer of Inspired Spine, is planning another trip outside the U.S. to teach the oblique lateral lumbar interbody fusion procedure.

Michael Gallizzi, MD, is the first spine surgeon in the Colorado Rockies region to incorporate three major endoscopic spine techniques in his practice.

Aetna's total disc replacement settlement could be on thin ice, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.

Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Novant Health has opened a new spine clinic in Mount Airy, N.C., according to a March 17 report from The Mount Airy News.