Spine

Phoenix-based Desert Spine and Sports Physicians added physical medicine and rehabilitation specialist Paul Pannozzo, MD. Dr. Pannozzo specializes in nonsurgical care and has expertise in treatments including spinal cord stimulators, minimally invasive lumbar decompression, Intracept and peripheral nerve implants, according…

The Los Angeles Rams NFL team is consulting with Robert Watkins, IV, MD, over care for quarterback Matthew Stafford, the Los Angeles Times reported July 26. Dr. Watkins and the Rams’ Vice President of Sports Medicine and Performance Reggie Scott…

Spine experts have their eyes on codes that they want to see reformed. 1. Bone-anchored annular closure: The International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery updated its 2025 policy recommendations for bone-anchored annular closure in high-risk discectomy patients. The…

Spine surgeon Greg Khounganian, MD, said a lawsuit from rideshare company Uber is an “unwarranted” attempt to bully physicians, My News LA reported July 24.  Uber’s lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles federal court, accuses two law firms and the surgeon…

CPT codes for spine surgery may not always fit circumstances, and in some cases this prompts calls for reforms. One of those codes, CPT 62380 has the attention of some spine surgeons. The code, for endoscopic lumbar decompression, stands alone…

Pediatric neurosurgeon Jason Chu, MD, along with fetal surgeon Hiba Mustafa, MD, of Indianapolis-based Riley Children’s Hospital, performed the state’s first fetal spine surgery, NPR affiliate WFYI reported July 24. The duo’s surgery addressed myelomeningocele, a condition that has better…

Children with early-onset scoliosis who receive a second set of magnetically controlled growing rods may experience less spinal correction than those who do not, according to a July 22 news release from Nemours Children’s Health in Wilmington, Del. The study,…

From the One Big Beautiful Bill Act to CMS’ proposed rules in 2026, spine surgeons are keeping up with a constantly evolving landscape of federal policies and regulations that affect their work. Along with staying on top of the news,…

Titus Regional Medical Center in Mount Pleasant, Texas, opened Advanced Spine Care at Titus and added Marcus Smith, MD, the hospital said July 21. Dr. Smith has 15 years of experience as a neurosurgeon, according to a news release. He…

Denver-based AdventHealth Porter was ordered to pay a spine surgery patient almost $3.2 million after he accused employees of dropping him after surgery, the Denver Post reported July 21. The 82-year-old man filed his lawsuit in Denver District Court, alleging…