In this episode of Spine Talks, we present a special Coast-to-Coast Conversation on the future of artificial disc replacement (ADR) in the United States — a motion-preserving alternative to spinal fusion that remains underutilized despite decades of evidence.
Joining the discussion are two nationally recognized spine surgeons from opposite coasts: Dr. Ehsan Jazini, a leading East Coast spine surgeon at VSI in Virginia, known for advancing motion-preserving techniques in traditionally fusion-focused training environments and Dr. Todd Lanman, founder of Beverly Hills Spine Surgery and one of the earliest adopters of disc replacement in the U.S., who has performed thousands of ADR procedures over more than 30 years (and has personally undergone five-disc replacements himself).
Together, they explore why preserving motion matters — and why artificial disc replacement, despite more than 1,500 published studies, has yet to become standard practice nationwide. Topics include:
- What spinal discs do, how disc degeneration causes pain, and when surgery becomes necessary
- Key differences between spinal fusion and disc replacement, and why motion preservation leads to more natural biomechanics
- The evolution of disc replacement technology since the early 2000s
- Why ADR adoption lags in the U.S., including surgeon training gaps, insurance barriers, and cultural resistance
- How patient demand, education, and research are reshaping surgical decision-making
- Safety, effectiveness, and outcomes of modern single- and multi-level disc replacement
- What the future holds — and why motion-preserving surgery may soon become first-line care
The episode underscores a central message: fusion should not be the default. With the right training, technology, and patient advocacy, artificial disc replacement offers a proven path toward better movement, durability, and quality of life. Drs. Lanman and Jazini challenge both surgeons and patients to rethink outdated norms and embrace a more forward-looking, motion-first approach to spine care.
