Embodiments of a system and method for preventing wrong-level spinal surgery are generally described herein. A system can include a receiver to: receive an indication of a landmark on a patient corresponding to a single landmark point on an image of the patient, and receive an initial physical position of a tracked device in relation to the landmark on the patient. The system can include a processor to register the initial physical position of the tracked device to the landmark point on the image based on receiving the indication of the landmark on the patient, and a user interface to: display a first virtual position indicator at the landmark point on the image, and display, in response to the receiver receiving information indicating movement of the tracked device, a second virtual position indicator to indicate a linear movement of the second virtual position indicator in reference to the image.
