The segment of the orthopedic device sector that focuses on the treatment of the spine is going through a transformation. Several high-profile orthopedic device OEMs have shed these divisions to operate on their own with a singular focus. As a result, these organizations will invest in new developments specifically for this area, growing treatment options and offerings for surgeons and their patients. 

To gain an insider’s perspective on this transition and to hear about what the future holds for the spinal industry, Orthopedic Design & Technology spoke with Rebecca Whitney, CEO of Highridge Medical, the spine-focused firm that was spun out from Zimmer Biomet (and split from ZimVie soon after). In this Industry Voices interview, Whitney shares her company’s recent moves, what products she sees as having a substantial impact on the market, and what she foresees on the horizon for both Highridge and the rest of the spinal sector. 

Sean Fenske: Can you please share some insights on the thinking/strategy for the spinout of ZimVie from Zimmer Biomet?

Rebecca Whitney: The hypothesis behind this move was that both Zimmer Biomet and ZimVie (Spine and Dental) would be better positioned for success if the Spine and Dental businesses were carved out of the larger organization. It’s difficult to secure the focus and investment necessary to win when you are a smaller division inside a large hip and knee company. The spinout was intended to give greater focus and more resources to both the Spine and Dental divisions.

Fenske: That wasn’t the end of the split, however. Can you provide some insights on the strategy/thinking behind the split from ZimVie to become Highridge Medical?

Whitney: While the formation of ZimVie was an important step in the right direction, additional focus was necessary to truly unlock the value of our Spine business. At ZimVie, we determined the best way to set our Spine business up for long-term success was to carve this division out of the combined organization and set it up as a pure play Spine company. We saw the potential for significant value creation through both an accelerated investment in our R&D pipeline and the additional opportunity for strategic acquisitions. We knew that standing up Highridge as a pure play, privately held Spine company would position Highridge as a leader in the market. With an established product portfolio and extensive surgeon customer base, fueled with an entrepreneurial zeal and investment, we like to say that we’re “the largest start-up in spine.” The privately held nature of Highridge makes it easier for us to do deals and invest in innovation, both short-term and long-term. Leveraging strategic acquisitions and partnerships will be part of our DNA moving forward, which is very exciting.

Fenske: Speaking of, in September 2025, Highridge Medical made an acquisition involving technologies from Accelus. What products did this involve, and how will they impact Highridge’s portfolio?

Whitney: Highridge acquired the FlareHawk and Toro expandable interbody fusion systems, as well as the LineSider pedicle screw system. The FlareHawk platform, with its multiplanar expansion and Adaptive Geometry that conforms to patient endplate anatomy, immediately addresses a market demand for expandable interbody technology and fits nicely in our Minimally Invasive Surgery portfolio franchise. Additionally, we will continue to develop the Toro line to address the evolving demands for expandable cage technology and applications, initially through an expandable lateral cage offering. The LineSider system includes a modular screw option that is appreciated for its greater procedural visibility, versatility, and efficiency. The purchase of these products affirms our commitment to doubling investment in R&D through both organic development and inorganic product and technology acquisitions, and aligns with our mission to deliver intelligent, integrated solutions that improve surgical outcomes, streamline workflows, and support value-based care.

We also acquired the rights to activL, a lumbar disc replacement device. We will be introducing activL this year, making us one of two companies providing a lumbar disc solution. activL is a perfect complement to our market-leading Mobi-C cervical disc replacement device, further demonstrating our commitment to the motion preservation segment of the Spine market.

Finally, we announced an exclusive partnership with PathKeeper late last year. This partnership enhances Highridge’s enabling technology portfolio with a real-time, optical navigation platform designed to improve accuracy and efficiency in spinal procedures. We are building an enabling technology platform with solutions designed to improve surgical accuracy and streamline procedural workflows. Through our agreement with PathKeeper, we are providing our surgeons access to next-generation, radiation-free navigation designed to make spine surgery safer and more precise while enabling positive outcomes with greater confidence.

Fenske: The role of ambulatory surgery centers (ASC) for the large joint orthopedic segment is well established. What is this sector like for spine procedures? Are there limits to how much it can grow, or does it have the potential to match the growth for knee/hip/etc.?

Whitney: I believe the factors that drive ASCs for large joint orthopedics apply to spine, as well. The ASC site of care is truly a win-win-win solution for all stakeholders: better for the patient, better for the surgeon, and better for the provider. For those procedures and patients who are properly indicated, the ASC is an ideal setting for many types of spine surgeries. Our Highridge portfolio is well-positioned to take full advantage of this growing trend, something we believe will only continue to accelerate as more procedures shift from the hospital to the ASC.

For Highridge, having a comprehensive offering of spinal solutions provides negotiating leverage in talks with hospital and surgery center contractors, who are increasingly looking to deal with fewer vendors that can provide a wider product offering. Highridge’s portfolio of technologies is targeted to both the hospital and ASC settings. Specifically, ASCs are attracted by our minimally invasive surgery solutions, including Mobi-C for cervical disc replacement, which support their business model to provide streamlined surgical care in an outpatient setting.

Fenske: The spine industry is going through a rapid transformation with regard to the players. Highridge came out of Zimmer Biomet, Stryker has sold its spine unit to Viscogliosi Brothers, and there’s been speculation for some time over Medtronic potentially moving its spine division. Why is there such a shift to stand-alone organizations for spine? Why are the majors divesting this portion?

Whitney: For most large orthopedic conglomerates, spine represents a very small percentage of revenue, and as a consequence, receives a proportionally small amount of focus and investment. The challenge is that the spinal market segment is arguably more complex and nuanced than the larger orthopedic reconstruction segments. Those with an appreciation for this reality have concluded that spinal divisions can often be better served as more independent entities. We believe this is a very good thing for the Spine market overall. The more pure play Spine companies there are, the more the entire industry will benefit from increased investment, focus, and, most importantly, innovation.

Fenske: As additive manufacturing is already being used to develop spinal cages, is there an opportunity for more personalized solutions in spine? Is there enough of a benefit to move in this direction?

Whitney: As you noted, additive manufacturing has enabled the production of more complex spinal cage geometries designed to better encourage bone growth, fixation, and stability. We have leveraged this technology in our TrellOss interbody solutions for both cervical and thoracolumbar applications, including designs that support standalone use to minimize the need for additional hardware within the spine. Regarding more personalized solutions, last year we signed a partnership with SMAIO, a company that provides software, adaptive implants, and related services for complex spine surgery. Through the collaboration, Highridge’s surgeon customers will gain access to SMAIO’s 3D preoperative planning solution with proprietary algorithms that enable the design of patient-specific spinal rods. Within months of the announcement, Highridge secured FDA approval for the use of the SMAIO patient-specific titanium K-Rods with our Vital spinal fixation system.

Fenske: Is there an opportunity to disrupt spine with more natural solutions? How far do you think we are away from being able to replace discs rather than fusing vertebrae?

Whitney: Motion Preservation is, in fact, one of our core portfolio franchises. We currently offer the market-leading Mobi-C cervical disc approved for both one- and two-level disc replacement, and will be introducing the activL lumbar disc this year. True to our continued commitment to bringing unique motion preservation solutions to market, the activL lumbar disc is a great strategic fit for our business. This addition expands our leadership position in spinal motion preservation solutions to now include lumbar disc arthroplasty, with a solution already trusted and preferred by many spine surgeons. We look forward to launching the system, ramping up manufacturing, and leveraging our market development expertise to ensure exceptional service and support to our current and future surgeon customers and the patients they serve.

Our Highridge credo starts with “having the courage to move boundaries today so patients can thrive tomorrow.” This credo is our north star. Never does this ring more true than when speaking about our motion preservation solutions. The Tether, our non-fusion alternative for treating pediatric scoliosis, Mobi-C for cervical disc replacement, and, very soon, activL for lumbar disc replacement, are all examples of us living out this credo. We are passionate about motion preservation solutions—it’s a big differentiator for us—and we are able to see firsthand the positive impact these technologies have on the patients we serve. This passion for and commitment to motion preservation will continue to be a cornerstone of everything we do at Highridge.

Fenske: Where is Highridge headed? What does the future hold?

Whitney: Highridge Medical is a full-portfolio spine company with a strong foundational offering and three strategic solution franchises: Motion Preservation, Complex Spine/Deformity, and Minimally Invasive Surgery. We have active development in each of these areas to both improve current treatments and address unmet clinical needs. Layered across all of these, we are exploring Enabling Technologies to enhance outcomes, improve safety, and gain procedural efficiency.

We have some exciting activity in our Motion Preservation category. As recently announced, we will be introducing the Highridge activL lumbar disc to the market as one of only two players in the lumbar arthroplasty space in the U.S. Additionally, we are actively enrolling patients in a clinical trial evaluating the hybrid use of our Mobi-C cervical disc (two-level study with Mobi-C implanted at a level adjacent to a level being treated with a Highridge fusion device). We believe we have the responsibility to study this new clinical use. Similar to being the first cervical disc in the U.S. to study and receive two-level indications, we are proud to be leading the charge with this study that may result in new treatment options for patients in need. We are also working on next-generation innovation for Mobi-C, building upon the 20-plus years of clinical history to make this impressive technology even more applicable for a wider range of patients.

Within Complex Spine/Deformity, Highridge Medical is committed to research and advancement through our Triple Diamond Sponsorship of the Scoliosis Research Society, through which we partner with thought-leading surgeons and researchers to advance the treatment of patients with complex spine pathologies. Our Tether Vertebral Body Tethering solution has been a flagship of our complex spine portfolio, supported by our comprehensive Vital and Virage spinal fixation systems. 

Additionally, complex spine is a focus of some of our recent and potential strategic acquisitions and sponsorships, including an exclusive distribution agreement for the PathKeeper Surgical Navigation System in the United States. The strategic agreement enhances Highridge’s enabling technology portfolio with a real-time, optical navigation platform designed to improve accuracy and efficiency in spinal procedures. We are building an enabling technology platform with solutions designed to improve surgical accuracy and streamline procedural workflows. Through our agreement with PathKeeper, we are providing our surgeons with access to next-generation, radiation-free navigation designed to make spine surgery safer and more precise while enabling positive outcomes with greater confidence. NOTE: The PathKeeper Surgical Navigation System utilizes proprietary 3D optical tracking and AI-enhanced imaging to enable surgeons greater precision during complex spinal surgeries. With its ease of use and rapid setup, the system is designed to integrate seamlessly into operating rooms while helping reduce procedure times and supporting better patient outcomes. Most importantly, it doesn’t require additional intraoperative imaging and, therefore, helps minimize the radiation exposure for the patient and the surgical team.

Finally, as I mentioned previously, Highridge is actively expanding our Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS) solutions through both organic development and external acquisitions and partnerships. The MIS portfolio leverages innovative materials, instrumentation, and enabling technology solutions, including the recently acquired FlareHawk and Toro expandable interbody solutions. We fully appreciate and understand that to be a major player in the spine market, we need to deliver enabling technology, and we continue to consider compelling opportunities, including artificial intelligence, predictive analytics, preoperative planning, navigation, and augmented reality.

Fenske: Where are spine devices headed? What does the future hold industry-wide?

Whitney: There are several technology trends impacting spine surgery today that stand out.

First would be artificial intelligence (AI). AI is becoming increasingly prominent in our everyday lives, and medical device is no different. There is a lot of discussion and investigation into how spine surgery can benefit from AI. It is an exciting time with a lot of ideas. Seeing these ideas go from concept to reality is likely around the corner and just starting to scratch the surface of what will become possible. As the power of AI lies in the quality and quantity of data, the methods for capturing the data and the quality of the data collected will become increasingly valuable.

Next, patient-specific technologies. The technology exists to allow medical device manufacturers to produce implants that have been tailored to the individual patient, and we are seeing more activity in this space. Surgical planning is integral in this segment. Equally intriguing as the custom implants are the tools being developed to assist the surgeon in efficiently creating a surgical plan and then using technology to precisely execute that plan.

Finally, I’ve always believed the most meaningful innovation in Spine will come from beyond the implant. While there is certainly more innovation to be found in new and improved implants and instrumentation, the real leapfrog innovation opportunity lies beyond the implant. Enabling technology, artificial intelligence, streamlined delivery solutions, and efficiency improvements for the OR, hospitals, and ASCs. This is where we are heading next as an industry, and it’s really exciting.

Highridge is better positioned than ever before to play a big role in this next chapter of our industry.