In this episode of The Spine Pod, hosts Courtney Schutze and Brady Riesgraf sit down with world-renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Todd H. Lanman, founder of Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery and the ADR Advanced Disc Replacement Spinal Restoration Centre in Beverly Hills, California.

As one of the most experienced and vocal advocates for motion preserving spine surgery in the U.S., Dr. Lanman brings not just clinical expertise, but deeply personal experience. Having undergone 11 spine surgeries himself, he understands firsthand what it means to navigate spinal degeneration, chronic back and neck pain, and make difficult surgical decisions, all while striving to maintain mobility and function.

This lived experience, combined with decades of surgical leadership, has made Dr. Lanman a true pioneer in spine surgery and motion preserving technologies. From his involvement in early artificial disc replacement trials to his groundbreaking work in fusion reversal and hybrid constructs, he has helped reshape what's possible and attainable in spine care.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr. Lanman discusses how his multidisciplinary training laid the foundation for a motion-first practice, why high surgical volume in motion preservation matters for patient outcomes, and how patient demand is driving a paradigm shift away from fusion as the default treatment for back and leg pain. He also shares how he approaches complex cases, including restoring motion in patients with prior fusions, and the role of enabling technologies in raising the bar for precision and safety.

In this episode, you’ll learn:
• How Dr. Lanman’s own journey through 11 spine surgeries shaped his philosophy on motion preservation.
• What it takes to build a spine practice focused entirely on disc replacement, hybrid constructs, and restoring motion.
• Why fusion reversal is gaining momentum as an option for select patients, and why fusion is no longer the only option for revising a disc replacement when necessary.
• How ADR Spine is creating a network of premier spine surgeons that focus exclusively on motion preservation while treating spinal conditions.
• The variety of motion-sparing technologies patients have been treated with in lieu of spinal fusion, including disc replacement, facet replacement, and lumbar total joint replacement.
• Why today’s patients are more informed, more mobile, and more willing to advocate for motion, and how that’s changing the landscape of spine care.

Whether you're a surgeon, industry leader, or someone passionate about patient outcomes, this episode offers valuable insight from someone who is not only leading the future of spine surgery but living it.

Learn more about Dr. Lanman:
-Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery: https://www.spine.md/
- ADR Spine: https://www.adrspine.com/
-Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DrLanman
-Dr. Lanman's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drtoddlanman?igsh=MWt6bGdoejdvcHc4Yg==
-ADR Spine Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adrspine?igsh=d3h6dHVtdzZ2aTdz
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The information in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.