Surgeons from Johnstown, Pa.-based Conemaugh Physician Group's Western Pennsylvania Orthopedics practice have completed the first meniscal transplant surgery at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center, according to an Aug. 5 report from CBS affiliate WTAJ.

Michael Laird, MD, orthopedic surgeon at San Luis Obispo, Calif.-based Central Coast Orthopedic Medical Group, is facing a lawsuit for allegedly replacing a knee with hardware that he knew was too big, according to an Aug. 5 report from The Tribune.

The average orthopedic surgeon starting salaries ranged from $500,000 on the low end and $815,000 on the higher end in 2023/2024, according to AMN Healthcare's 2024 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives.

Orthopedic surgeons billed an average of $9,809,514 to commercial payers in 2023, according to AMN Healthcare's 2024 "Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives" report.

The Joint Commission recognizes health systems across the U.S. with a gold seal of approval for various specialties, including spine and hip-related measures, based on a number of performance measures. 

Orthopedic surgeons have the highest average starting salary among several specialties, according to AMN Healthcare's 2024 Review of Physician and Advanced Practitioner Recruiting Incentives.

Several major orthopedic and spine device companies, from Zimmer Biomet to Smith+Nephew, have spent substantial amounts of money lobbying in Washington, D.C., in the 2024 season. 

The Camp Hill-based Orthopedic Institute of Pennsylvania has added pain intervention physician David Weiss, DO, to its team. 

Orthopedic and medtech company Smith+Nephew recorded more than $1.4 billion in revenue during the second quarter of 2024, according to its Aug. 1 financial results.

Mary Powell Lewis, MD, a pioneer for women in orthopedics, died July 15 at age 98, The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Aug. 1.

Matthew Thompson, MD, joined Good Shepherd Health Care System and is working at the Good Shepherd Orthopedics Clinic in Hermiston, Ore.

Here are 10 orthopedic surgeons that have recently taken on leadership roles, as reported by Becker's since June 26:

Columbus-based OhioHealth has created the role of chief of musculoskeletal services and tapped Darrin Bright, MD, to step into the role. 

Former New Providence N.J.-based Summit Health orthopedic surgeon Michael Cushner, MD, is seeking $6 million from the system alleging underpayment, according to a July 31 report from the Westfair Business Journal.

Nearly 30% of orthopedic surgery physician assistants are experiencing at least one symptom of burnout, according to the latest specialty report from the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, released July 29.

Newport (R.I.) Hospital has earned The Joint Commission's advanced certification for total hip and knee replacements, according to a July 31 report from What's Up Newp.

Lisa Lattanza, MD, has been appointed the Ensign Professor of Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation at New Haven, Conn.-based Yale School of Medicine. 

Smith+Nephew has partnered with Healthcare Outcomes Performance Co., a value-based care and outcomes management company, to offer AI-powered analytics and data.

For patients 45 to 65 years old, orthopedic cases accounted for four out of five procedures accounting for the highest proportions of postoperative opioid prescriptions, according to a study published June 26 in JAMA Network Open.

Orthopedic surgeon salary varies based on the practice setting, according to data from Physicians Thrive.