Spine Journal

(ISSN: 0362-2436)

Spine is one of the most established journals in spinal research and surgery. Below is a critical analysis of its strengths and limitations.

• Reputation & Reach:

Established in 1976 and published biweekly by Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, *Spine* is a leading journal in spinal disorders with broad international recognition and strong affiliations with global spine societies.

• Citation Impact:

Maintains a solid presence with a historical impact factor around 3.0 (slightly declined to ~2.6 in 2023). Continues to be ranked in the top ~15% of orthopaedic journals.

• Peer‑Review & Editorial Standards:

The peer-review process is rigorous, with multidisciplinary evaluation and consistent editorial quality.

• Timeliness:

Median time from submission to publication is ~175 days, competitive with biomedical publication standards.

• Declining Impact Factor:

Recent drop in impact factor from 3.0 to ~2.6 suggests either increasing competition or reduced citation rates.

• Overreliance on Metrics:

Editorial direction may prioritize high-citation content (e.g., reviews, trending topics), potentially at the expense of methodological or negative-result studies.

• Opaque Peer-Review Details:

Lack of transparency regarding reviewer conflicts of interest or public review histories, which are becoming best practices in academic publishing.

• Access and Fees:

Hybrid access model. Optional open-access with APCs, which may be restrictive for authors without institutional support.

• Compared to *The Spine Journal* (Elsevier, ISSN: 1529-9430, IF ~4.17), *Spine* remains historically more established but now ranks slightly lower in terms of impact factor and perceived academic novelty.
• Newer journals are increasingly open-access and more transparent in peer-review practices, offering alternative platforms for authors.

• For Readers:

A reliable source for clinically relevant spine research and surgical updates.

* **For Authors:**  
  Publication carries prestige but be aware of costs and competition from newer, high-IF journals.

• For the Field:
  • Spine* must evolve in transparency, peer-review innovation, and open-access engagement to retain leadership.

*Spine* is a cornerstone in spinal literature with enduring value, but it faces modern publishing challenges. It remains highly recommended for established clinicians and researchers, while younger investigators may also explore newer open-access alternatives.