Spine

Outpatient cervical and lumbar fusions jumped at hospital-outpatient departments after CMS approved the procedures for ASCs while the procedure rate had little or no growth in surgery centers.

Nonurgent surgeries across the U.S. are being canceled as COVID-19 cases surge and hospitals face critical staffing shortages. Most of the time, the surgeries are canceled well in advance. But for one patient in California, that wasn't the case.

Livingston, N.J.-based Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center appointed Joseph Koziol, MD, chair of neurosurgery.

Spine surgeon Michael Gallizzi, MD, is joining The Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo.

Joint pain medical encounters are projected to increase 22 percent in 2022, with spine-related visits expected to rise 7 percent, according to a Jan. 5 report by predictive analytics company Prealize Health.

The shift of spine procedures to the outpatient setting has gained momentum in recent years as commercial payers boosted coverage, devicemakers refocused their strategies and surgeons warmed to the idea of operating on patients at ASCs.

Des Plaines-based Illinois Bone and Joint Institute added spine surgeon Christopher Bergin, MD, according to a Jan. 4 announcement in the Daily Herald.

Here are six spine and orthopedic surgeons who received honors and recognition in the fourth quarter of 2021:

Here are five spine surgeons joining new practices or adding to their titles in December:

Here are 10 spine surgeons to know: