Mission Statement

"To assist the public and the medical profession by setting appropriate graduate and post-graduate education and training requirements for competency in spine surgery."

By the establishment of this independent Board it is our intent to:

1. Promote and enhance dialogue between those surgical specialists presently engaged in spine surgery and to assist in the development and promotion of appropriate spine treatment protocols.
2. Assist the public, the medical profession and other interested parties in their desire to identify competent and well trained spine surgeons.
3. Enhance the quality of future spine surgery.
4. Enhance the quality of "expert" testimony presently being provided in regard to surgical treatment.

Spine Surgery and ABSS History

Spine surgery is the surgical specialty devoted to the restoration and preservation of spine function by managing disorders of the spine with both non-operative and operative treatment modalities.

Spine surgery is a unique surgical specialty typically involving both neurosurgical and orthopaedic specialists.

The American Board of Spine Surgery has been formed to address the special needs of the specialty of spine surgery.

The American Board of Spine Surgery was incorporated in 1997 as an independent organization to address the special needs of the unique surgical specialty that has emerged from neurosurgery and orthopaedics.

The American Board of Spine Surgery has a primary goal to assist the public and the medical profession by setting educational and post-graduate training requirements for spine surgeons and by the promotion of continuing quality assurance programs.

The American Board of Spine Surgery will review the applications of candidates for the certifying examinations and identify those candidates who meet the application requirements.

Board eligible candidates are surgeons who have successfully completed appropriate comprehensive core post-graduate training appropriate for spine surgery.

Successful completion of the certifying examination and approval of documented experience will result in certification and the candidate being declared a Diplomate of the American Board of Spine Surgery.

National leaders in neurosurgery and orthopaedics have volunteered their efforts to join in the leadership challenge of inaugurating this Board.

The American Board of Spine Surgery invites applications from all qualified experienced surgeons specializing in spine surgery.