Spine

In different practice settings and markets, spine surgeons tackle unique hurdles when it comes to managing costs, maintaining independence and finding their niches.

Jeremy Damron, frontman for the heavy metal band Volcano, has undergone a posterior lumbar implant fusion at Tristate Neurosurgical Associates in Owensboro, Ky., according to a Feb. 21 report from Vice.

Neurosurgeon Jeffrey Hatef, MD, had his medical license suspended after performing "unnecessary operations" on three patients, two of whom died, The Columbus Dispatch reported Feb. 20.

Cam Jurgens, a center for the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles, underwent spine surgery Feb. 18, ESPN reported. 

Meeker-based Colorado Advanced Orthopedics added the TOPS system for spine surgery, according to a Feb. 19 news release.

In 2025, spine surgeons are looking to push innovation and care forward through their research.

There are numerous factors that affect the cost of a cervical disc replacement, and researchers used a machine learning model to analyze key variables for a study published in the March 2025 issue of The Spine Journal.

As ASC case volume grows, single-specialty ASCs have an opportunity to shine, spine surgeon Choll Kim, MD, said.

Starting July 1, Mohamad Bydon, MD, will become the inaugural chair of the department of neurological surgery at UChicago Medicine. 

From stem cell research to spinal implants, here are three studies Becker's reported on since Jan. 15.