Here are seven things for spine surgeons to know for Thursday, May 16, 2013.

Lewisville, Texas-based Orthofix International's gross profits dipped in the first quarter, down 17 percent from 2012's first quarter due to substantial declines in spine and orthopedic implant sales.

Lewisville, Texas-based Orthofix has appointed Emily Buxton as its new chief financial officer.

Orthofix has launched its CONSTRUX Mini PEEK Titanium Composite Space System implant for anterior cervical spine.

Medical device company InspireMD has named Alan Milinazzo as president, chief executive officer and a member of the board.

Orthofix's investigation into its bone growth stimulation business has concluded, and the company will pay $43 million to fully resolve matters, both criminal and civil.

Orthofix has penned an agreement with Brainlab to integrate its Phoenix MIS and Firebird Pedicle Screw System into the latest generation of Brainlab spinal navigation systems.

Orthofix has completed the divestiture of its sports medicine business unit, Breg, to Water Street Healthcare Partners.

Orthofix's first quarter net sales were reported at $143.1 million, a 3 percent growth over the same period last year, with spine products net sales up 3 percent to $75 million and orthopedics up 1 percent to $41 million.

Orthofix has agreed to sell its sports medicine business, Breg Inc., to the private equity firm Water Street Healthcare Partners for $157.5 million in cash.