| Summary: | Numerous technological advances in spine surgery have been made over the past 10 to 20 years. Although there has been a trend toward greater use of technology in spine surgery, evidence of a substantial clinical benefit from this technology remains limited. In 1995-96 rates of lumbar spine (low back) surgery began to increase, with rates of fusion increasing faster than non-fusion surgery. These rates were coincident with the FDA approval of a new fusion device. Much of the increase has been seen in those age 60 and older. However, rates of fusion are also increasing for those under 60. 1 Rates of non-lumbar spine surgery are also increasing. In the cervical spine (neck), fusion procedures are increasing proportionately more than non-fusion surgery
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