Compensation for U.S. physicians grew 3.8 percent on average between 2020 and 2021, compared to 1.5 percent from 2019 to 2020, according to Doximity's "2021 Physician Compensation Report" released Dec. 16.

Rising overhead and decreasing reimbursements continue to challenge independent practices as consolidation continues to take hold across the healthcare industry.

A number of health systems have banked on spine and orthopedic care in 2021. Here are 23 hospitals and health systems expanding their services in those areas:

Sharonville, Ohio-based Beacon Orthopaedics opened its 25th office in West Chester Township, Cincinnati Business Courier reported Dec. 15.

Fifteen months ago, Rothman Orthopaedic Institute partnered with Altamonte Springs, Fla.-based AdventHealth to ease its expansion into Florida, and now the practice plans to open in California.

Carmel, Ind.-based Methodist Sports Medicine has changed the name of its physician group to Forté Sports Medicine and Orthopedics, the practice said Dec. 14.

Central Maine Medical Center in Lewiston will stop providing neurosurgery in April and is limiting several trauma surgeries effective immediately, NBC affiliate News Center Maine reported Dec. 13.

After a five-year legal saga, victims of former gymnastics physician Larry Nassar have reached a $380 million settlement with USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and their insurers.

Tallahassee (Fla.) Orthopedic Clinic has been asked to wait five years to build a planned surgery center, The Dothan Eagle reported Dec. 13.

A center that's performed more than 25,000 minimally invasive procedures, another where 95 percent of patients are treated without surgery and 48 more spine practices to know:

Nicole Monsky, who was an executive at New York City-based Hospital for Special Surgery, was named chief marketing officer for Greenwich, Conn.-based Spire Orthopedic Partners.

A practice that sees more than 30,000 patients a year, a center that gained private-equity investment this year, and 48+ more orthopedic centers to know:

Franklin-based Bone and Joint Institute of Tennessee opened an urgent care clinic in Brentwood, Tenn., Williamson Source reported Dec. 9.

Orthopedic practices across the nation made changes to their top leadership in 2021. Here are 12 moves to know:

Atlanta-based Resurgens Orthopaedics has partnered with New York City-based private equity firm Welsh, Carson, Anderson & Stowe to build an orthopedic platform.

Hospital for Special Surgery used a donation to establish a wellness center for its staff, according to a Dec. 8 news release. 

Akron, Ohio-based Crystal Clinic Orthopaedic Center named Terrence Deis its new chief administration officer, the practice said in a Dec. 8 news release.

Revo Health, a managed services organization spun off of Minneapolis-based Twin Cities Orthopedics, has promoted three leaders to chief executive roles.

Becker's Spine Review reported on several orthopedic practice mergers and acquisitions in 2021, and some significant deals were announced or closed at the beginning or end of the year.

Marion (Ind.) Health Network is planning a hospital in Gas City, Ind. featuring spine and orthopedic care, The Echo reported Dec. 6.