Here are seven important Medicare changes and updates since Feb. 17 that spine and orthopedic surgeons should know: 

Spine and bone solution manufacturer ZimVie plans to lay off 5 percent of its global workforce in 2023, according to data presented in its first quarter financial results. 

Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed Indiana's newest two-year budget, which includes $536 million earmarked for local projects, into law May 4. About $30 million of that funding will go toward orthopedic workforce development and retention, according to a May 8 report from the Indiana Capital Chronicle.

In 2003, The Joint Commission implemented the Universal Protocol — guidance for orthopedic and spine surgeons designed to decrease the risk of medical mistakes, including wrong-site procedures. 

Researchers at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign created a coating for orthopedic implants that can monitor strain and alert to implant failure, according to a May 5 feature.

Modern Orthopaedics of New Jersey has opened its flagship location in Paramus at the former location of Paramus Fabric Center. 

Becker's reported on four professional athletes who were treated by orthopedic surgeons since April 28.

The usage of OpenAI chatbot ChatGPT is increasing in the medical field rapidly. As the chatbot learns to pass medical exams, physicians are left asking how much they trust the application in the operating room. 

Ten surgeons connected with Becker's to describe the future of orthopedics in one word. 

Sparrow Medical Group Orthopedics Carson City (Mich.) is expanding its services, now welcoming patients at SMG Ithaca (Mich.), according to a May 5 report from Daily News.

Taylor Lewan, who was a lineman for the Tennessee Titans, is suing the physician who operated on him in 2020, the NFL player said in a May 2 tweet. 

Orthopedic medical device manufacturer Stryker is under investigation by U.S. authorities for potential anti-bribery law violations, according to a May 3 report from The Wall Street Journal. 

Christopher Ahmed, MD, operated on New York Yankees pitcher Jonathan Loáisiga on May 2 in New York City.

Keith Meister, MD, director of sports medicine at Arlington-based Texas Metroplex Institute for Sports Medicine, performed a season-ending Tommy John surgery on Seattle Mariners pitcher Robbie Ray, according to a May 3 report from mlb.com. 

Joint replacement technology company Formus Labs has earned 510(k) clearance from the FDA for its image processing software for hip replacement preoperative planning.

Morristown, N.J.-based Atlantic Health System has launched a five-year orthopedic residency program and a one-year adult reconstruction fellowship program. 

A team of orthopedic surgeons are partnering with Hackensack (N.J.) Meridian Health to launch a new practice, Orthopedic Specialists of New Jersey. 

Lancaster, Pa.-based Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health Physicians has added Westphal Orthopedics, also in Lancaster. 

Zimmer Biomet's Persona IQ smart knee implant earned CMS' New Technology Add-on Payment, the company's COO Ivan Tornos said in a May 2 earnings call.

California is the state with the most practicing orthopedic surgeons, according to data published April 25 from the Bureau of Labor Statistics.