Becker's Spine Review

8 8 SPINE SURGEONS Orthopedic Spine Surgeon vs. Neurosurgeon Salary – Does Location Matter? By Mackenzie Garrity W hile both orthopedic spine and neurosurgeons treat similar disorders, their training and background reflects how they approach patients with back pain. Orthopedic spine and neurosurgeons have different salary and compensation potential throughout their careers. e surgeon's training, practice location and years in practice all affect total compensation. Here's what you need to know about spine and neurosurgeon salaries. 1. In 2011, the median salary for neurosur- geons reached $470,600 while orthopedic spine surgeons received roughly $409,500, Salary.com reported. 2. e American Medical Group Associa- tion's Physician Compensation Survey sep- arates the salaries of spine surgeons from orthopedic surgeons. According to their re- search, spine surgeons make $688,500 a year on average. 3. While the AMGA does not separate spine surgeons from the field of neurosurgery, the group estimates the median neurosurgeon salary tops $593,000. e group also indi- cated spinal neurosurgeons make more than neurosurgeons annually. 4. In Los Angeles, an average neurosur- geon's salary is nearly $524,000 as opposed to New York City where the median salary is $556,000. Orthopedic spine surgeons in Los Angeles earn $456,000 a year while in New York City surgeons make $484,000, according to Salary.com. 5. During the first two years of employment, orthopedic spine surgeons bring in $400,000 annually, according to Allied Physicians. However, the same physicians earn around $670,000 by their third year. Allied Physicians reported the maximum orthopedic spine sur- geon salary reached $1,352,000. 6. Neurosurgeons earn around $354,000 during their first year; however, they typically make $541,000 during their second and third years of employment. Allied Physicians re- ported the maximum salary reached by neu- rosurgeons was $936,000. n Lumbar Total Disc Replacement: Key Challenges, Long-Term Outcomes vs. Spinal Fusion By Laura Dyrda T he First Annual Lumbar Total Disc Replacement Summit was held Oct. 26, 2017 in Boston and fea- tured a session on the challenges and solutions for total lumbar disc replacement implantation. Spine pub- lished a summary of the discussion. The panel included physicians Michael Janssen, DO, Ro- lando Garcia, MD, Lynn Miller, DO, William Reed, MD, and Jack Zigler, MD. When considering five-year randomized controlled trials, meta-analyses and observational studies comparing lum- bar total disc replacement with fusion, the panel reported lumbar total disc replacement devices are associated with long-term success, few late-onset complications and a low- er risk of adjacent segment disease and reoperation when compared with fusion. The panelists developed two consensus statements: 1. "Five-year investigational device exemption study data, which is long-term data, is readily available to support the utilization of lumbar total disc replacement in the appropri- ately selected patient." 2. "The published data on commercially available lumbar TDR technology used in treatment of degenerative disc disease demonstrate: 2a: Significant reductions in adja- cent segment degeneration and reoperations compared with lumbar fusion. 2b: Minimal concerns with late onset complications." There are six randomized controlled trials examining lum- bar total disc replacement for DDD with five-year follow-up data, all of which showed low-level particulate wear debris complications and reoperations. The panel did address challenges, including: • Patient selection • Gaining full disc space access • Adequate release • Precise implant placement n

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