Total disc replacement has become a popular motion-preserving option for spine surgeons and patients. Here are five key numbers to know:

Healthcare policy and spine surgery trends were among topics drawing interest from Becker's Spine Review readers.

Novartis is in the trial phase for a new experimental medicine that has shown promise in improving motor function in children with a form of spinal muscular atrophy, according to a Dec. 30 report from The Detroit News.

In November, the Lown Institute released a report breaking down key statistics on unnecessary spine and back procedures nationwide. 

Here are four new spine patents that have been secured so far in 2024: 

Columbia (S.C.) VA Health Care System has performed its first spinal cord stimulation implantation, which aims to provide relief for chronic pain patients. 

A neurosurgeon and spine surgeon in Naples, Fla., is working on a breakthrough in spinal fusion surgery, according to a Dec. 16 report by WINK.

Back and spine surgeries are among the most common operations in the state of Florida, but they are also among the most unnecessary, according to a Dec. 23 report from the Sun Sentinel.

Kingsley Chin, MD, had money laundering charges against him dismissed by a Massachusetts federal judge, according to a Dec. 20 news release.

Ali Baaj, MD, is joining Northwestern Medicine in Chicago in 2025, he said in a Dec. 20 LinkedIn post.

In early December, New Hyde Park, N.Y.-based Northwell Health became the first system in New York state to offer the Teligen spine surgical system, in a procedure led by Daniel Sciubba, MD, senior vice president of neurosurgery at Northwell and co-executive director of the Northwell Spine Institute based in New Hyde Park, N.Y. 

Concord, N.C.-based Atrium Health Cabarrus has earned the Gold Seal of Approval award from the Joint Commission's Spine Surgery Center of Excellence for a second consecutive year. 

Five spine surgeons reflect on patient cases that left a significant impression on them in 2024.

DISC Surgery Center at Thousand Oaks (Calif.) has added 10 spine and orthopedic surgeons to its medical team. 

Garrick Cason, MD, performed the first case with Camber Spine's Spira-A implant in the U.S., according to a Dec. 18 news release shared with Becker's.

Meeker, Colo.-based Pioneers Medical Center now offers the TOPS system for lumbar spine surgery.

More than 60 spine surgeons moved to new practices or added to their titles in 2024:

Sohrab Gollogly, MD, a surgeon and one of the founders of Monterey (Calif.) Spine and Joint, operated on UFC fighter Cub Swanson, helping him return to fighting pain free, according to a Dec. 14 report from NBC affiliate KSBW. 

Neurosurgeon John Eickman, MD, has joined Sanford Health Grand Forks (N.D.), according to a Dec. 14 report from the Grand Forks Herald.

WWE fighter Cody Rhodes has been hospitalized following a cervical spine injury, according to a Dec. 16 report from FightFans.