Spine

A cervical spine specialist is joining Neurosurgery of St. Louis, according to a May 23 news release published by RiverBender.com.

Hospitals performed more than 100,000 "unnecessary" procedures on older Americans in the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic, including 30,094 spine surgeries, according to a May analysis published by the Lown Institute.

Here are five spine practices to know: 

From new imaging systems to pedicle screw technology, Becker's reported on five spine technology debuts since April 21:

An increasing number of physicians are exiting private practice to join hospitals or other corporate entities, leaving just 26 percent of physicians as independent practitioners in 2022, according to an April report from Avalere.

Robert Watkins IV, MD, operated on Las Vegas Golden Knights captain Mark Stone, the team said May 19.

Fighting for the approval of minimally invasive alternatives to spinal fusion; non-surgeons performing certain spine procedures; and insurers too often dictating care decisions are some of the biggest threats to spine surgeons today, three specialists told Becker's.

From milestone surgeries to emerging data and ongoing challenges, here is how artificial disc technology has developed in the last several decades:

A spine surgery patient will not be on the hook for a $229,112 medical bill at Westminster-based St. Anthony North Health Campus, the Colorado Supreme Court ruled May 16.

Healthgrades honored 16 hospitals across four states with its 2022 Spine Surgery State Ranking Award.