Spine and orthopedic surgeons are looking ahead to 2024 with many expectations for the industry. From the development of artificial intelligence to ASCs and value-based care, here's what 14 spine and orthopedic surgeons are excited about for next year:

David Garelick, MD, is an orthopedic surgeon at the Illinois Bone & Joint Institute in Chicago. He recently shared with Becker'shis thoughts on current and future trends in orthopedics and healthcare.

The "minimally invasive" trend has skyrocketed in orthopedics over the last few years, with more procedures moving to the ASC setting and robotic options allowing for minimally invasive joint replacements, and spine surgery is starting to follow suit. 

In 2023, Earl Kilbride, MD, and two partners left the large orthopedic group, Austin-based Texas Orthopedics, to open a small private practice. 

Between ever changing regulatory requirements, reimbursement models and new technology opportunities, the orthopedic and spine surgeons most equipped for change are those who can thrive in any environment. 

Helping spine surgeons hone their craft in Tanzania and assisting fellows has been one of the proudest accomplishments this year for Roger Härtl, MD.

Michael Redler, MD, and Scott Sigman, MD, are two orthopedic surgeons who are part of One World Surgery, a charitable organization that provides orthopedic surgery.

Orthopedic surgeon Brian Grawe, MD, said he's optimistic about the trajectory of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Alexander Vaccaro, MD, PhD, president of Philadelphia-based Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, has provided his insight on a range of topics in spine and orthopedics this year.

Ryan Molli, DO, said he hopes more orthopedic surgeons will lean into private practice in the future.

Although artificial intelligence has the potential to advance healthcare in certain ways, it could dampen efforts to provide individualistic care, according to Gary Brazina, MD. 

Richard Cunningham, MD, is an orthopedic sports medicine physician and surgeon at Vail (Colo.) Summit Orthopaedics and Neurosurgery. He is a knee and shoulder orthopedic specialist and is also a team physician for U.S. Ski & Snowboard. 

In October, Charlotte, N.C.-based OrthoCarolina announced that beginning Jan. 1, orthopedic spine surgeon Leo Spector, MD, will succeed Bruce Cohen, MD, as the practice network's CEO. 

Spine and orthopedic surgeons can expect to see a larger push for minimally invasive techniques, increased use of new technology and some economic challenges in 2024, according to four surgeons. 

The popularity of value-based payment models has risen in recent years among physicians and patients — though not unanimously. The divide has caused certain specialties to embrace the care model more willingly than others, prompting the question: What does the growing emphasis on value in healthcare mean for spine surgeons?

Worldwide, orthopedic and spine surgeons are focused on expanding their portfolios headed into 2024, with many focused specifically on new, minimally invasive techniques. 

Spine surgeon Peter McCunniff, MD, took the leap from working as a hospital employee to a private practice, and he says the move has been beneficial. 

Amit Momaya, MD, is an orthopedic sports medicine surgeon and is the head of the sports medicine division at the University of Alabama at Birmingham's department of orthopedic surgery. He recently shared with Becker's his thoughts on important current and future trends in orthopedics and healthcare.

Spine surgery is expected to evolve with more outpatient cases and growing technologies, Tan Chen, MD, told Becker's. 

Moving transforaminal lumbar interbody fusions to the ASC was one of the proudest accomplishments for Amy Wickman, MD, of Alta Orthopaedics in Santa Barbara, Calif.