Dr. Todd Lanman - Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery

06/19/2026

Cervical radiculopathy and cervical myelopathy are distinct conditions that are frequently confused.

Radiculopathy refers to compression of a nerve root in the cervical spine, producing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, or weakness that radiate down the arm.

Myelopathy involves compression of the spinal cord itself, which can cause broader neurological effects, including generalized weakness, impaired coordination, or changes in gait — sometimes even in the absence of localized pain.

Each condition warrants a tailored surgical approach. Across both, artificial disc replacement is frequently the treatment of choice, as it addresses the underlying compression while preserving the natural motion of the cervical spine.

06/05/2026

A 57-year-old man had chronic neck and arm pain from five degenerative cervical discs—C2-3 down to C7-T1. That's nearly his entire neck.

Most surgeons would fuse five levels. But fusion at that extent eliminates almost all ability to turn your head or look up and down.

The question: Could we preserve motion instead?

The answer depended on his anatomy. His facet joints were healthy. His alignment was good. No instability. The problem was disc-driven, not structural.

What we did: Five-level cervical artificial disc replacement—preserving motion at every segment while eliminating the pain.

The result: Neck and arm pain gone. Full cervical range of motion maintained. Normal daily function restored.

The principle: Multi-level ADR isn't about treating more levels—it's about preserving motion where anatomy supports it. The number of levels matters less than the quality of the supporting structures.

When facets are healthy and stability is intact, motion preservation beats fusion—even across five levels.

06/03/2026

If you’re exploring artificial disc replacement and considering Dr. Lanman, the first step is to begin the consultation process.

Start by submitting a request through the patient portal on our website. You’ll be guided to upload any relevant imaging— such as MRI scans, X-rays, or CT scans - along with a brief overview of your symptoms and medical history.

Each submission is carefully reviewed by Dr. Lanman and his team prior to scheduling, ensuring that your initial consultation is focused, efficient, and tailored to your specific condition.

To get started, submit your consultation request through our website and take the first step toward a more informed path to recovery.

Link to schedule: https://www.spine.md/contact/

05/28/2026

Dr. Lanman has been included in Los Angeles magazine's 2026 Top Doctors list — a peer-nominated roundup vetted by physicians across Los Angeles County.

The recognition is meaningful, but the work behind it is what matters: 35+ years of motion-preserving spine surgery, leadership on multiple FDA clinical trials, and a national network of ADR Top Doctors built so patients everywhere have access to the same standard of care.

Thank you to the colleagues who continue to recognize that motion preservation is the future of spine surgery.

05/21/2026

A patient from Texas presented to Dr. Lanman with a complex case: a three-level cervical fusion alongside a failed artificial disc. Upon evaluation, Dr. Lanman identified that the facet joints at the fused level remained healthy and intact—making her a strong candidate for both disc replacement and a fusion reversal.

Specializing in what he defines as restorative motion surgery, Dr. Lanman performed a highly advanced procedure—replacing the failed disc and carefully reversing the adjacent fusion by accessing the vertebrae and restoring that segment with an artificial disc. This approach reestablished motion in the cervical spine, offering the patient a renewed path toward mobility and improved quality of life.

05/20/2026

05/11/2026

A spine surgeon can determine whether someone is a good candidate for two-level cervical disc replacement by reviewing imaging and testing reflexes to identify which discs are symptomatic.

For example, degeneration in the C5-6 disc may present with issues controlling the thumb and biceps, while degeneration in the C6-7 disc can lead to symptoms when controlling the triceps or when affecting sensation in the index and middle fingers.

This neurologic approach is a helpful way to determine the severity of degeneration. In most cases, if a patient shows degeneration in two (even if one disc is more symptomatic than the other), it makes sense to replace both.

Dr. Lanman is highly experienced in performing two-level cervical disc replacement. If you've been told you need a fusion at multiple levels, a consultation can help you understand whether motion preservation is an option for you.

05/08/2026

Kind words from a patient who comes to us in pain and leaves with their life renewed are at the core of our mission. That level of gratitude speaks to the profound impact of meaningful transformation.

05/01/2026

A 66-year-old woman had severe, constant back pain. Her imaging showed four lumbar problems: three degenerative discs and one level with fractured facet joints causing spondylolisthesis (a condition where the vertebra slips forward).

Most surgeons would have fused all four levels. But here's the nuance: only the bottom level (L5-S1) actually needed fusion because the facet joints were fractured. The three levels above had healthy joints and could support motion preservation.

What we did: Three artificial disc replacements at L2-3, L3-4, and L4-5. One fusion at L5-S1 where the fractured facets required stabillization.

The result: Back pain eliminated. Motion preserved at three levels. Stability restored where it was structurally necessary.

The principle: Motion preservation and fusion aren't opposing approaches-they're tools used together. Each spinal segment gets treated according to what its anatomy can support.

Fusion where stability is required. Motion where anatomy allows it. That's how we optimize outcomes.

04/24/2026

Not every disc is a candidate for ADR, and that's where hybrid surgery comes in. It combines artificial disc replacement with spinal fusion in a single procedure, addressing each level with whatever approach serves it best. Dr. Lanman's own spine is a working example: two levels fused, three replaced with artificial discs, zero back pain.