Here are 10 spine and neurosurgeons who have moved during the first few months of 2011.

Insurance carriers across the country are scaling back the coverage indications for spine surgery, which could potentially leave spine surgeons without the ability to treat thousands of patients who could benefit from surgical intervention. Spine surgeons and societies have been working to increase awareness of the efficacy of surgical intervention for the appropriate patients, but it hasn't been an easy road.

Frank Cammisa Jr., MD (Hospital for Special Surgery, New York City). Dr. Cammisa is the chief of the spine service at the Hospital for Special Surgery and an assistant scientist in the hospital's research division. He also serves as an associate professor of surgery at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York City. In his practice, Dr. Cammisa has special expertise in minimally invasive surgeries, laparoscopic spinal surgery, computer assisted spine surgery and treating athletic spinal injuries. He has performed surgical intervention for several professional athletes and earned recognition from the Eastern Orthopaedic Association for his research. Dr. Cammisa earned his medical degree at the College of Physicians & Surgeons in New York City and completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at HSS. His additional training includes a spine surgery fellowship at the University of Miami and the North American Traveling Fellowship from the American Orthopaedic Association.

A panel of spine experts is calling for surgeons to re-examine and reduce the use of recombinant bone morphogenic protein-2 in an editorial published in a special edition of North American Spine Society's The Spine Journal, which focuses on rhBMP-2.

A barrage of lawsuits regarding off-label use for Medtronic's Infuse bone morphogenic protein product may be right around the corner, according to various news sources.

Small medical device companies are bypassing expensive sales tactics by offering big discounts on orthopedic devices to remain competitive in the market, according to a Wall Street Journal report.

Medtronic has commercially released the Kyphon Xpander II Inflatable Bone Tamp and Kyphon Inflation Syringe as part of the Kyphon Xpander II IBT System for treating vertebral compression fractures, according to a company news release.

Aesculap Implant Systems, a B. Braun company, has launched the Hydrolif Vertebral Body Replacement system indicated for treating burst fractures and tumor removal of the thoracolumbar spine, according to a company news release.

Pediatric orthopedic surgeons made on average $468,798 in 2009, according to VMG's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2010 Report Based on 2009 Data.

1. Average compensation is in the mid-range for orthopedic subspecialists. Orthopedic trauma surgeons are compensated on average $592,536 annually, which is less than spine ($710,055) and joint replacement surgeons ($597,834) but more than general orthopedic surgeons ($524,250) and extremities specialists ($531,271), according to MGMA's Physician Compensation and Production Survey: 2010 Report Based on 2009 Data.