Outpatient Spine

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit ruled that Medtronic can’t be sued by a man who alleged the company’s spinal cord stimulator malfunctioned, according to a document filed March 25. William Hunt sought damages when he had a Medtronic…

The trajectory of outpatient spine surgery continues, some of the unexpected shifts ahead could come from developments in AI, policy and operational efficiencies. Leaders discuss what might surprise ASCs when it comes to spine care in five years. Note: Responses…

For many spine and orthopedic leaders, the ASC and outpatient migration will be a defining element of 2026. From innovations and collaborations, the ASC will be a pivotal point for spine care, according to the following seven experts. Question: What…

Marc Greenberg, MD, a minimally invasive spine surgeon at Providence, R.I.-based University Orthopedics, has operated in some of the most complex environments in spine surgery, but when he talks about what makes a patient experience better in 2026, he doesn’t…

As spine surgery steadily moves toward outpatient settings, the factors limiting broader adoption are no longer primarily clinical. Advances in surgical technique, anesthesia and pain management have made far more procedures feasible in ASCs than in years past, according to…

Endoscopic spine surgery is reaching a pivotal moment in adoption in the U.S., and it’s well-suited for ASCs. However reimbursement remains a key hurdle for growth. Multiple hospitals and practices have adopted endoscopic spine in 2025, and some surgeons have…

Here are 10 stories focused on spine surgery and outpatient spine that drew readers’ attention in 2025: 1. Some fee-for-service spine procedures in traditional Medicare will have prior authorizations added, according to CMS’ new Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction model. 2. Consolidation is…

As outpatient spine surgery accelerates, spine surgeons are also becoming more adept in their strategies. Editor’s note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity. Question: How will your approach to outpatient spine surgery change in the next five years? Steven Girdler,…

Facing a busy spine surgery market, Brandon Hirsch, MD, is turning his attention to digital growth, advocacy and sharpening his own skillset in 2026.  Dr. Hirsch, of Newport Beach, Calif.-based DISC Surgery Center, shared his practice growth outlook, during an…

Outpatient spine surgery is an area of the specialty that’s accelerating. Here are nine key studies to know about outpatient spine surgery and procedures from 2025: 1. A study from Plano-based Texas Back Institute found positive clinical results for patients having hybrid…