The Coflex Implant: for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis. | Dr. Todd Lanman

Cortes Alexander describes his experience with Dr. Todd Lanman, MD to preserve his lifestyle for the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis with a Coflex implant. There are several treatment options for patients suffering from lumbar spinal stenosis. Depending on the level of pain and the advancement of the condition, Dr. Lanman may suggest conservative alternatives such as physical therapy, fitness regimen, or a combination of pain management options that may include over-the-counter and prescribed medications. If none of those treatment options are suitable, then surgical options are considered. The bones of the spine - the vertebra - are very complex structures. The bony bridge that protects the spinal cord is called the lamina. There are two gaps on either side of the vertebra, also part of the lamina, that serve as channels for the nerve roots that branch off of the spinal cord. These are called foramen. The bony portions also give the spine its integrated stability by providing a place for muscles to attach to the spine. Spinal stenosis is a degenerative disease of the spine that may lead to enlargement of bony structures of the lamina and a reduction of the foramen. The resulting obstruction of nerve pathways leads to compression of nerves which causes pain. Among the first surgical procedures to consider for an advanced case of spinal stenosis are lumbar laminectomy or lumbar microforaminotomy. These procedures help relieve the pressure on the nerve roots as they exit the spine. In some situations, more bone has to be removed which may destabilize the vertebrae. In these cases, the Coflex implant is used to help restore spinal stability. The Coflex implant is a small device that Dr. Lanman surgically implants between two lumbar vertebrae to help relieve the pain caused by a condition called lumbar spinal stenosis. If more aggressive surgical treatment is required, Dr. Lanman may consider artificial disc replacement as a means of stabilizing the spine and relieving nerve compression. As always, his treatment goal for his patients is to preserve motion and functionality whenever possible and make his back and neck patients greater than better. Dr. Lanman is a board-certified neurosurgery specialist practicing medicine for 25 years with a private practice in Beverly Hills, CA. He specializes in the treatment of spinal disorders and is a leading clinical advocate for artificial disc replacement surgery. Dr. Lanman is a professor at the University of California Los Angeles, and a member of the Cedars-Sinai Institute of Spinal Disorders. He has published more than ten peer-reviewed articles, as well as book chapters on topics relating to neurological surgery, and has presented more than two dozen papers at national and regional medical society meetings. He has been tapped by colleagues to be the principal medical investigator on a broad swath of clinical trials for motion preserving surgeries and artificial disc replacement devices, most recently the Prestige LP and M6, with the former recently receiving FDA pre-market approval in 2016 with his continuous support and advocacy. He graduated from Northwestern University School of Medicine, Chicago, IL with top honors and is a member of the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Medical Society. He completed a general surgery internship and neurological surgery residency at UCLA. He is an active member of many professional societies and organizations including the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), International Society for the Advancement of Spine Surgery (ISASS), North American Spine Society (NASS), and Fellow American College of Surgeons. Dr. Lanman is a Diplomate of the American Board of Neurological Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons, and a Fellow of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons (FAANS).