COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations continue to spike, particularly in regions with higher levels of community transmission and lower vaccination rates, and spine surgeons are worried that elective surgeries in these areas could be affected once again.

From research on orthopedic biologics to epidural stimulation, here are four research projects that received grants in 2021:

Federal courts issued rulings on three spine-related lawsuits in the last week:

From the battle to maintain autonomy to growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus delta variant, here are four surgeon quotes that caught the attention of Becker's readers this week:

Ten hospitals and health systems hiring spine surgeons, using Linkedin's Job Search tool:

An Illinois hospital should not face vicarious liability claims over a spine surgeon's alleged negligence in a widower's wrongful death lawsuit, according to an Aug. 10 decision by an appellate court.

The spread of the coronavirus' delta variant, increasing prior authorization requirements are among the biggest concerns for spine surgeons in the coming months.

From a clinical trial of a sacroiliac joint implant to a study on cost factors in lumbar discectomies, here are five studies from the last 90 days for surgeons to know:

A surgeon at AdventHealth for Children has performed the health system's first pediatric spine surgery with a recently cleared spinal navigation device.

U.S. News & World Report assessed 1,248 hospitals for neurology and neurosurgery for its 2021-22 Best Hospitals rankings.

Obese patients and patients who had inpatient surgery tend to have higher costs when undergoing lumbar discectomies, according to a study published in the August 2021 issue of The Spine Journal.

From the progression of outpatient spine surgery to how artificial disc replacement will compete with spinal fusion, here are quotes from four surgeons that caught the attention of Becker's readers this week:

Baxter Regional Medical Center in Mountain Home, Ark. added its third neurosurgeon, Adam Smitherman, MD.

A study found positive outcomes in patients who underwent a lateral minimally invasive sacroiliac joint fusion using hollow screws.

Sina Rajamand, DO, opened Battle Born Brain and Spine in Carson City, Nev., according to an Aug. 4 news release.

In 2010, after an X-ray revealed that rock climber Kyra Condie had an S-shaped curve in her spine, she consulted with three surgeons before opting to undergo surgery by John Lonstein, MD, according to USA Today.

In the next decade, spine surgeons will move further toward a multidisciplinary approach to care, with robotics becoming the standard of care for instrumentation placement, fewer fusions being performed and more total disc replacements.

Ehsan Jazini, MD, and Christopher Good, MD, used patient-specific spinal rods and an artificial intelligence-derived preoperative surgical plan to operate on a 17-year-old scoliosis patient in Virginia.

Safety measures, protocols and advanced technology make it possible for more spine procedures to be performed at ASCs, outside of the traditional hospital setting. While outpatient migration is widely touted by surgeons as a positive trend, it is not without its challenges.

From an artificial disc replacement lawsuit revived against a commercial payer to a spine device that was allegedly wrongfully denied coverage, here are three insurers involved in spine-related court cases: