Dr. Todd Lanman

Well. I got vaccinated today. Phase 1 complete. It doesn’t hurt at all so don’t worry. We pray this marks the beginning of the end of this pandemic.

In the November episode of the 'Get Back To It' podcast, National Spine Health Foundation CEO, Dr. Rita Roy, sat down with Spinal Champion, Ellen B., to discuss her multiple surgeries. Ellen knew she was interested in a specific artificial disc surgery, but ran into problems with insurance and regulations. She found hope when one surgeon was able to provide her with the treatment she felt she needed. Ellen's most recent spine surgeon was Dr. Todd Lanman of Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery. Dr. Lanman is a member of the National Spine Health Foundation's Medical & Scientific Board and has been named a National Top Spine Specialist. Link to podcast in bio. To see if you are a candidate for ADR, please contact us at 310-385-7766 or email [email protected].

There are more than two decades of clinical study for cervical artificial disc replacement. Almost the same about of effort has gone into lumbar ADR. I've been the principal investigator for several studies, two more this year. In all of our data, artificial disc replacement is safer and produces better outcomes than spinal fusion. This proves an important point. Not only is the disc implant safe, but the procedures and methodologies for diagnosis and postoperative recovery are clinically tested and proven safe. When surgeons follow the prescribed diagnosis and surgical methods, patients are more likely to recover faster with none of the original neck pain and discomfort.

The pros of artificial disc replacement are substantial. For one, patients retain their original range of motion without the pain and other pathologies of degenerative disc disease (disc herniations). For another, patients who keep a full range of motion are more likely to stay active and healthy. Some cons are more about the natural aging process and less about artificial discs themselves. For instance, artificial discs in one area of your spine won't prevent degenerative disc disease or arthritis in another area of your spine. To learn if you're a candidate for Artificial Disc Replacement, please connect with us at [email protected].

Thank you, David. You’re on your way back to greater than better! #Repost @davidfumero - I’ve officially gotten my 4th cervical disc replacement! More metal in my body means I’m closer to becoming Wolverine! My ultimate motivator! Thanks to @drtoddlanman ! Thank you sir for your talent and dedication and love for what you do! You have been a savior in my life! Looking forward to training and getting back to optimal conditioning. I wouldn’t have that choice if it weren’t for you. I’m so blessed and lucky and grateful! Peeps, Take care of your spine! And if you’re dealing with any chronic issues make sure you look this guy up! #stayhealthy #improveyourlife #youarenumberone #spinehealth #drlanmanbestneurosurgeonintheworld

One of the benefits of artificial disc replacement surgery is the durability of the artificial discs themselves. Take into consideration that hip replacements last about 25 years and knee replacements can last 15 years. Under normal circumstances, an artificial disc correctly implanted in your spine will last 70 years or more. It is likely that once you receive an artificial disc, it will keep on working for you through the rest of your lifetime.

I’m deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Eddie Van Halen. He was such a kind, caring and wonderful man. Always amazing in the office and my staff is heartbroken. I was even in attendance at their first World Tour in Chicago March 3, 1978 at the Aragon Ballroom when I was 21 and have since been a fan. I can’t believe Eddie just handed me this signed guitar a few months ago. Thank you for your music and your kindness. May you rest in peace.

What happens during artificial disc replacement surgery? There are similarities for both cervical and lumbar artificial disc replacement surgery with some crucial differences. In both cases, we have an anterior approach - that is, we enter the body from the front. And do not have to cut muscle, which helps reduce recovery time. Cervical surgery is far simpler because we slip past the esophagus and windpipe (trachea) to reach the spine. Lumbar surgery is a little more involve...d because we have to route around the intestinal area to reach the spine. Once we get to the spine, we clear out material from the damaged disc, remove bone spurs that may impinge on nerves, insert the artificial disc, and close up the wound. Each disc takes about an hour, a bit longer for lumbar due to the reasons noted. We often do one and two-level cervical and lumbar disc replacements on an outpatient basis. That means no hospital stay. Three and four-level disc replacements are usually performed in the surgery center or at the hospital. But of course, these details are determined after a complete diagnosis and analysis of your situation.

Dr. Todd Lanman explains the significant differences between artificial disc replacement (ADR) and spinal fusion surgery. The key is motion preservation that only artificial disc replacement can provide. Fusion reduces motion, by the very nature that discs are removed, and the vertebra is fused as one bone. With artificial disc replacement, the degenerated disc is replaced with an artificial one that allows the joint to move.

Thank you Becker's Spine Review for sharing the news that I will be teaching a course on motion preservation Oct. 2-3 during the 2nd Annual Advances in Motion Preservation. The course will cover expanded indications for artificial cervical disc replacement and trends in preserving spinal mobility. Looking forward to seeing my fellow spine surgeons and colleagues there! Full article: https://www.beckersspine.com//49982-dr-todd-lanman-to-teac

Do you have a failed spinal fusion in the neck? You don’t have to live in pain. My partner Dr. Cuellar and I just published a study showing successful removal of a fusion and conversion to an artificial disc. This is the future of spinal medicine. For more information please contact us at 310-385-7766 or email [email protected].

What is Artificial Disc Replacement (ADR)? First, the full name is "artificial disc replacement." You may also see it as "total disc replacement surgery." This procedure is the leading solution for treating degenerative disc disease or any spinal disc disorder (e.g., herniation). Primarily we're talking about the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) areas of the spine. We remove the degenerated disc and replace it with the artificial one. You retain the full natural range of motion. You may emerge from surgery with an increased range of motion if you've been suffering from disc-related problems. There are many different makes and models of artificial discs. Nearly all of them will last 70 years.

If you are considering artificial disc replacement, here are seven points you should understand: 1. Artificial disc replacement delivers better range of motion than spinal fusion surgery 2. Artificial disc replacement is not for every type of spinal pain 3. Artificial disc replacement is not right for every patient... 4. Artificial discs last more than 70 years 5. Selecting an experienced surgeon is essential for getting the results you want 6. Prospective patients should ask their insurance companies how much they will have to pay out-of-pocket 7. While the overall complication rate is low, there are risks associated with any spine surgery. Full article: https://www.spine.md/artificial-disc-replacement/

Artificial disc replacement surgery (total disc replacement) replaces spinal discs that have been herniated or ruptured. The procedure is approved by the FDA for the cervical (neck) and lumbar (lower back) regions of the spine. Developed in Europe in the 1980s, artificial disc replacement surgery (ADR) was introduced in the US in 2000. After years of exhaustive clinical study, the FDA gave the procedure full approval in the US and it has become the primary procedure for treating degenerative disc disease, herniated discs, and discs damaged through injury. After artificial disc replacement, patients often report full restoration of their range of motion and flexibility. The procedure can take up to 6 hours. Postoperative recovery may often take as little as a week in some patients, up to 6 weeks.

Thanks to Becker’s Spine Review for sharing the news of our new study published in The International Journal of Spine Surgery. This is the first-ever study in the U.S. documenting the successful outcome of the conversion of an anterior cervical fusion to artificial disc replacement, known as Restorative Motion Surgery. Full article: https://www.beckersspine.com//49896-drs-todd-lanman-jason-

Thanks to Becker's Spine Review for including me in this important discussion about the evolution of telemedicine and patient evaluations during the pandemic. Full article: https://www.beckersspine.com//49866-9-spine-surgeons-on-th

What does it mean when you have sacralization or lumbarization of the vertebrae? Don't be alarmed. There's nothing wrong with your spine; it's just the way your body grew. We have five lumbar vertebrae. There are five sacral vertebrae, but they are fused naturally. Sometimes L5 may merge to S1 (sacralization). Sometimes S1 is not fused with the other sacral levels (lumbarization). Again, nothing wrong with you. Some sacralized cases may become symptomatic, but there's nothing to be alarmed about.

Throughout my career I have dedicated my focus on the restoration of my patients’ motion and mobility. In 2018, I performed for the first time in the U.S. what I have termed Restorative Motion Surgery, an off-label procedure in which I remove a patient’s fusion and replace it with an artificial disc device at one or more levels of their cervical spine. This allows the patient to regain nearly the full motion and mobility they had prior to undergoing fusion. I am proud to hav...e published the first-ever study on this procedure in the International Journal of Spine Surgery this month with my practice partner Dr. Jason Cuellar. As the principal investigator of this study, I followed five patients after their procedures for an average of 12.4 months and up to 24 months. What we concluded is that reversal of Anterior Cervical Fusion to an artificial disc replacement (otherwise known as Restorative Motion Surgery) is feasible and achieves postoperative range of motion that is similar to that achieved when performed in a segment not previously fused. If you feel you might be a candidate for this procedure, please call our office at 310-385-7755 or email [email protected] to schedule a consultation.