The Spine Pod

08/14/2025

What if spine surgeons were ranked on value, not just how many procedures they perform?

In this clip from The Spine Pod, Dr. Ahilan “Siva” Sivaganesan shares a visualization that could rewrite the rules:

📈 Y-axis = patient improvement (measured by the Neck Disability Index)

💰 X-axis = intraoperative cost

🎯 Top left quadrant = better outcomes at lower cost

It’s a system that rewards choosing the right treatment, even if that means less invasive surgery, or sometimes no surgery at all. Imagine if every patient could see this kind of “value dashboard” before making a decision.

This isn’t about shaming surgeons, it’s about setting the scoreboard so the game rewards what matters: patient outcomes, efficiency, and ethics.

🎧 Full episode with Dr. Siva streaming on The Spine Pod.

08/14/2025

Too often in spine care, the financial incentive to operate is baked into the system. Dr. Ahilan “Siva” Sivaganesan isn’t shy about naming it, but more importantly, he’s clear about where the priority should be: the patient.

In this clip from The Spine Pod, Dr. Siva breaks down why “getting paid to do surgery” can never outweigh the responsibility to ensure surgery is truly the best option. Sometimes that means saying no. Sometimes it means exploring every other path before picking up a scalpel.

Because real spine care isn’t about doing more surgeries, it’s about doing the right one for the right patient at the right time.

🎧 Watch the full episode for an unfiltered look at what it means to put patients before procedures.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

08/13/2025

For decades, spinal fusion has been the primary focus in spine surgery.

Dr. Ahilan "Siva" Sivaganesan, spine surgeon in Naples, FL, challenges that mindset, arguing that our true north star should be motion preservation. By keeping the spine moving the way it was designed, we can aim for better long-term function, mobility, and quality of life.

It’s time to ask: if motion matters to patients, shouldn’t it guide the future of spine care?

🎙️ Full episode available now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

08/04/2025

When you’re in pain, it’s easy to panic after reading an MRI report that lists every little abnormality.

But here’s the truth: most MRIs will show something, especially as we age. That doesn’t mean you need surgery.

In this clip, Dr. Ahilan “Siva” Sivaganesan (Naples, FL) explains how he puts the full picture together: combining your symptoms, the imaging, and other clinical insights to tailor your treatment plan.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

08/01/2025

Before board exams, specialties, and match day, there was Johns Hopkins.

In this clip from The Spine Pod, we dive into the roots of modern medical education, where residents couldn’t marry, had no control over their specialty, and stayed in training until the professor said they were ready.

And the first co-ed med class? That took a $500,000 ultimatum from a trailblazing woman.

🎧 Catch the full conversation on YouTube, Spotify, or Apple Podcasts.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

08/01/2025

You’ve been through surgery, now what?

In this clip, Dr. Pierce Nunley out of Shreveport, LA explains why real recovery means more than just a clean scan. It’s about how you feel, move, and live afterwards.

Too often, patients don’t get the follow-up they deserve. Its important to track outcomes over time so surgeons can keep improving care, not just for today, but for every patient who comes next.

🎧 Hear the full conversation now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

07/30/2025

Some lessons in medicine can’t be taught in a textbook.

In this clip from The Spine Pod, Dr. Pierce Nunley shares a powerful story from his early training, watching a mentor turn a moment of rage and frustration into one of connection, care, and healing.

It’s a reminder that being a great surgeon isn’t just about what you do in the OR, it’s how you show up for patients, especially when they’re struggling.

🎧 Hear more insights from Dr. Nunley in his full episode, now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

07/28/2025

When you’re putting your life in someone’s hands, mindset matters.

Dr. Richard Chua, a neurosurgeon in Tucson, AZ, shares what sets great surgeons apart: reflection, preparation, and a deep sense of responsibility. For him, the OR isn’t a place of stress: it’s his Zen. And that calm comes from having a solid plan AND a backup.

The best outcomes start long before surgery.

🎧 Hear more from Dr. Chua on The Spine Pod, available now on Spotify, YouTube, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

07/24/2025

07/23/2025

Endoscopic spine care didn’t just happen; it was built on legacy and purpose.

After witnessing his mother’s poor outcome from traditional spine surgery, Dr. Anthony Yeung set out to change the standard. He pioneered endoscopic techniques to reduce pain, preserve mobility, and improve recovery.

His son, Dr. Christopher Yeung, now carries that mission forward, offering minimally invasive care to patients across Phoenix and beyond at Desert Institute for Spine Care.

🎧 Hear the story behind the innovation on The Spine Pod. Full episode out now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

07/21/2025

It starts small.

You stop doing one thing because it hurts…Then another. And another.

Until one day you realize pain has quietly taken over and you’ve built a life around avoiding it.

In this clip from The Spine Pod, Dr. Todd Lanman describes what he calls “chipping away at the corners” the hidden toll chronic back pain takes on your freedom.

🎧 Listen to the full episode for a look at how motion-preserving spine surgery can help patients regain what they've lost. Now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.

07/19/2025

⛳️ It all started with one woman who just wanted to play golf again.

In this episode of The Spine Pod, world-renowned spine surgeon Dr. Todd Lanman shares the story of how he began performing fusion reversals, restoring motion by replacing fused segments with artificial discs.

This wasn't just a procedure, it was a turning point in motion preservation.

🎧 Hear the full story and learn how it sparked a decade of innovation. Full episode now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice.