Artificial intelligence and machine learning will play a big role in shaping spine surgery over the next several years. Technology is transforming clinical care and decision-making in multiple ways, but is it always for the better?

More than 20 spine and orthopedic surgeons have been honored since the beginning of 2023.

Information about patient quality of life and pain management are especially important data points to collect, spine surgeons say.

The Hoag Orthopedic Institute Surgery Center Beverly Hills (Calif.) recently became the first facility in the Hoag network to add a robot dedicated to spinal surgery. 

A study published in BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders found Hinge Health, a digital musculoskeletal program, reduced the need for spinal fusions by 56%.

Three Fountain Valley, Calif.-based MemorialCare Hospitals have been named Blue Distinction Centers by the Blue Cross Blue Shield for Spine Surgery and Knee and Hip Replacement. 

In June, Newsweek released its annual list of the 150 best spine surgeons in the U.S. for 2024.

Centinel Spine has released its second-quarter earnings for 2024, showing record growth from the same period last year. 

The volume of outpatient spine surgeries has been on the rise in the U.S. the last several years, with more than 200 ASCs now performing procedures. 

Scilex, a company that develops non-opioid pain management products, added spine specialist Annu Navani, MD, to its board.

Spine surgeon Amit Bhandarkar, MD, joined SSM Health Medical Group's Centralia, Ill., location, according to a July 22 news release shared with Becker's.

Spine surgeon Sean Keem, MD, joined Sansum Clinic in Santa Barbara, Calif.

Tennis player Andy Murray announced his retirement in a July 23 post on X, formerly known as Twitter, weeks after he had spine surgery.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health Pineville has earned The Joint Commission's Gold Seal of Approval for Advanced Certification in Spine Surgery.

Addison Wood, DO, performed Montrose (Colo.) Regional Health's first fully navigated prone lateral lumbar spine surgery, the hospital said July 19.  

Spine surgeons Max Kahn, MD, and Andrew Chung, MD, both helped bring endoscopic spine surgery to their health systems.

Alaska is the most expensive state to have a spinal fusion, according to data from Sidecar Health.

Spine and orthopedic groups are strengthening their revenue cycle teams and clinical documentation improvement programs to stay ahead of insurance coverage policy changes, several leaders said during the Becker's 21st Annual Spine, Orthopaedic & Pain Management-Driven ASC Conference in June.

Charlotte, N.C.-based Atrium Health Pineville recently earned the Joint Commission's gold seal of approval for advanced certification in spine surgery.

Here are five spine centers to know: