Spinal Specialty Societies: It is Time for Collaboration and Consolidation.

STUDY

DESIGN

Narrative review.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate international spine societies accessible to North American surgeons and propose strategies for consolidation and inclusion.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: The number of international spine societies has grown rapidly, creating challenges for surgeons to identify organizations that align with their goals amidst time and financial limitations.

METHODS

An internet search was performed on September 20, 2024, using Google Chrome to identify international spine societies open to North American surgeons. Societies were evaluated for founding year, membership fees, benefits, meeting structure, focus areas, and leadership overlap.

RESULTS

Sixteen societies were identified, focusing on cervical spine, lumbar spine, minimally invasive surgery, spinal cord injury, spinal deformity, innovation, and endoscopy. Broad-based societies such as NASS, AO Spine, and the Spine Section are well-suited for early-career surgeons, while specialized societies like SRS, CSRS, and SMISS may benefit mid-to-late career professionals.

CONCLUSIONS

Although spinal societies have advanced the field, their proliferation has led to redundancy and fragmented efforts. Consolidation and increased inclusivity-especially for early-career surgeons-may optimize resources and enhance global collaboration.