Spine

The University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock is the first organization in the state to earn the Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for spinal fusion, according to an Aug. 31 news release.

Joshua Kolz, MD, joined The Spine Center at Black Hills Orthopedics in Rapid City, S.D.

The relationship between spine surgeons and major payers has been complicated over the years. Four spine surgeons shared their perspective on the payer market where they live.

Albert Wong, MD, of Los Angeles-based DOCS Health completed the second endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion on the West Coast.

A whistleblower lawsuit from Hooman Melamed, MD, alleging Hoag Orthopedic Institute Surgery Center in Marina del Rey, Calif. compromised patient care will go to arbitration.

Shore Orthopaedic University Associates in Somers Point, N.J. added spine surgeon Gregory Callanan, DO., according to an Aug. 29 announcement in the Cape May County Herald.

The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery released a statement supporting restorative neurostimulation for some patients with mechanical chronic low back pain caused by multifidus dysfunction.

U.S. News & World Report named its top 50 hospitals for neurosurgery in the U.S. for 2023 and 2024, including 16 hospitals in the Northeast.

Healthcare professionals have faced increased risks in the last year. Violence against healthcare workers saw a significant increase globally in 2022. Meanwhile there are regular risks in the operating room with radiation exposure and other illnesses.

East Providence, R.I.-based University Orthopedics has become the first in the state to offer the Intracept spine procedure for patients seeking relief from vertebrogenic pain.