Dr. Todd Lanman - Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery

Dr. Todd Lanman - Lanman Spinal Neurosurgery Dr. Todd Lanman is widely regarded as one of the world’s foremost spine surgeons and Artificial Disc Replacement innovators.

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.

Kind words from a patient who comes to us in pain and leaves with their life renewed are at the core of our mission. Tha...
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.

A 66-year-old woman had severe, constant back pain. Her imaging showed four lumbar problems: three degenerative discs an...
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.

First-ever conversion from an M6® cervical disc to the newly FDA-approved Synergy Disc®.A middle-aged man had M6® discs ...
04/17/2026

First-ever conversion from an M6® cervical disc to the newly FDA-approved Synergy Disc®.

A middle-aged man had M6® discs at C5–6 and C6–7 with autofusion at C6–7, a new herniation at C4–5, and persistent compression at C5–6. We removed the M6® implant at C5–6 and placed a Synergy Disc®, along with an additional Synergy Disc® at C4–5 to decompress the spinal cord and nerve roots.

The patient is doing well after surgery with early improvement in pain.

Cases like this highlight what is now possible with motion-preserving spine surgery, even in the setting of prior implants and complex pathology.

Dr. Lanman is headed to ISASS this week! You won't want to miss him talk Thursday morning during General Session 1: "Ali...
04/09/2026

Dr. Lanman is headed to ISASS this week! You won't want to miss him talk Thursday morning during General Session 1: "Alignment-Driven Cervical Arthroplasty: Techniques, Case Experiences & Results with the Synergy Disc"

The Synergy Disc is FDA approved and being used commercially in the United States!

- Designed for intentional motion
- Integrated safety stops, stability zone, and self-biting fins
- Improves alignment with unique 6-degree lordotic core
- Utilizes time-tested, trusted materials (Ti Alloy, No Nickel, UHMWPE)
- MRI conditional

Several Synergy team members will be attending ISASS so don't hesitate to reach out to Josh Butters, Neil Duggal, MD, MSc, FRCSC, Troy Wahlenmaier, Gant Newsom, Jim Butler, Seth Podell, or Jessica Wicks to connect.

Looking forward to seeing you!

Advancing the next era of motion-preserving spine surgery.Drs. Todd H. Lanman and Joel S. Beckett performed the first cl...
04/08/2026

Advancing the next era of motion-preserving spine surgery.

Drs. Todd H. Lanman and Joel S. Beckett performed the first clinical case using the newly FDA-approved Synergy Disc® - just weeks after its approval - marking an early milestone in real-world adoption.

The procedure was performed on a 47-year-old man with multilevel cervical disc disease, utilizing a complex three-level disc replacement to decompress the spinal cord, relieve nerve compression, and restore motion across multiple segments.

“This is an important step forward in motion preservation technology and what we can offer patients.” — Dr. Lanman

“This technology allows us to address complex pathology while maintaining motion across multiple levels of the spine.” — Dr. Beckett

This moment represents more than a first case.
It reflects a continued shift in spine care - toward preserving motion, improving outcomes, and expanding what’s possible for patients.

Link to full article: https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/drs-todd-h-lanman-and-joel-s-beckett-perform-first-clinical-case-using-newly-fda-approved-synergy-disc-r-1036003910

04/01/2026

As an instructor at ADR masterclass in Amsterdam, Dr. Lanman and his colleagues discussed the potential for correcting spinal deformities with Artificial Disc Replacement.

It’s possible to correct, they concluded, but there’s still a realistic limit to patient safety. Patients with degenerative scoliosis up to about 20º can achieve promising results with multi-level ADR.

This 57-year-old patient is a prime example: She came to Dr. Lanman with severe back pain and degenerative discs. She had a flat back with discs collapsed, creating bone-on-bone interaction in her spine.

Using a standing X-ray, Dr. Lanman was able to understand her anatomy and determine the best treatment strategy. He replaced her collapsed lumbar discs with three artificial ones to restore the natural curve of her back.

The final outcome was a much straighter back than before, zero pain, and a new gratitude for this life-changing surgery.

Dr. Todd Lanman brings unparalleled credibility to spine surgery as both a pioneering researcher and a patient advocate....
03/30/2026

Dr. Todd Lanman brings unparalleled credibility to spine surgery as both a pioneering researcher and a patient advocate. A member of the Cedars-Sinai Institute of Spinal Disorders with over 10 peer-reviewed publications, he was a principal investigator on multiple FDA clinical trials and co-authored the landmark 24-month study showing 81.4% success rates for two-level cervical ADR versus 69.4% for fusion. This research is reshaping how the medical community approaches spine treatment. His creation of the national ADR Top Doctors in Arthroplasty program reflects his mission to elevate surgical standards.

What sets Dr. Lanman apart is his personal understanding of spine surgery, having undergone eleven procedures with four artificial discs himself. This unique perspective, combined with 25+ years of treating A-list talent and top executives, drives his 4D Health™ philosophy of preserving active lifestyles rather than simply managing pain.

He serves patients in the Los Angeles area at his Beverly Hills practice.

A 47-year-old woman from Nashville had a freak accident with a Murphy bed that caused a small neck fracture.Surgeons fix...
03/27/2026

A 47-year-old woman from Nashville had a freak accident with a Murphy bed that caused a small neck fracture.

Surgeons fixed five levels of her cervical spine—C4 through T2, fusing three levels. She left the hospital unable to turn her head, living with chronic pain and constant headaches.

Eight weeks later, she reached out asking one question: "Can this be reversed?"

The answer was yes-but only because we caught it early. The bone graft hadn't solidified yet, and her facet joints were still healthy.

What we did: Removed the fusion hardware from the back, placed artificial discs at two levels, and fused only the one level that actually required it.

The result: Motion and function restored in the neck.
Pain eliminated.

Not every fusion can be reversed-but when the window exists, motion preservation changes lives.

The recent FDA approval of the Synergy Disc® for single-level cervical disc replacement represents a meaningful advancem...
03/19/2026

The recent FDA approval of the Synergy Disc® for single-level cervical disc replacement represents a meaningful advancement in motion-preserving spine surgery.

Dr. Lanman served as a principal investigator in the U.S. IDE trial supporting this approval and will be presenting the clinical outcomes at ISASS 2026 in Miami.

Further data and insights from this study will continue to inform the evolving role of cervical disc arthroplasty in appropriately selected patients.

Read the full announcement: https://synergyspinesolutions.com/synergy-spine-solutions-receives-fda-approval-for-its-synergy-disc-expanding-cervical-disc-replacement-options-for-u-s-patients/

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450 N. Roxbury Drive 3rd Floor
Beverly Hills, CA
90210

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Tuesday 8:30am - 4pm
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Thursday 8:30am - 4pm
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