Why Team-Based Spine Care Matters

Multi-level spine disease is one of the most complex conditions I treat as a neurosurgeon. These are not simple, single-level herniations or isolated degenerative disks. These are patients with pain, instability, and nerve compression that affect multiple levels of the spine, often across both the cervical and lumbar regions.

Trying to fix these problems with a one-size-fits-all approach rarely works. That is why we take a team-based strategy at Altus Medical Group. I am fortunate to collaborate with two exceptional surgeons: Dr. Kevin Kaplan, an orthopedic specialist with deep expertise in sports medicine and joint biomechanics, and Dr. Jon Graham, a board-certified neurosurgeon skilled in minimally invasive techniques and cranial-spinal surgery.

Together, we treat complex cases using hybrid surgical techniques that blend orthopedic precision with neurosurgical finesse. This combination leads to better outcomes, faster recovery, and more complete care.

Understanding Multi-Level Spine Disease

Multi-level spine disease occurs when more than one segment of the spine is affected by degeneration, disk herniation, spinal stenosis, or instability. These conditions are often progressive and can lead to significant nerve compression, pain, muscle weakness, or even loss of coordination.

These are the patients who come in saying, “I’ve had back pain for years and now my legs are numb” or “My neck hurts and both hands feel weak.” Their symptoms are not coming from a single problem but from a combination of structural and neurological issues.

Treating these patients requires careful planning, multidisciplinary evaluation, and sometimes a mix of motion-preserving implants and stabilization techniques.

Orthopedic Insight from Dr. Kevin Kaplan

Dr. Kaplan’s background in sports medicine and orthopedic trauma gives him a unique perspective on structural alignment, joint mechanics, and how the spine interacts with the rest of the body. His approach focuses on:

• Restoring natural biomechanics
  
• Maintaining alignment and load distribution
  
• Preserving motion where possible
  

When we treat multi-level cases, Dr. Kaplan helps assess the bony framework of the spine. He evaluates things like pelvic tilt, sagittal balance, and joint instability. His input is especially valuable when we are considering partial fusions, artificial disks, or corrective alignment strategies.

He also works closely with our physical therapy team to ensure that our patients regain strength and mobility after surgery.

Neurosurgical Precision from Dr. Jon Graham

Dr. Jon Graham brings a different but equally important skill set to our team. His expertise in minimally invasive neurosurgery allows us to address nerve compression with maximum precision and minimal disruption.

He uses advanced tools like:

• Endoscopy for smaller incisions and faster healing
  
• Navigation systems for pinpoint accuracy
  
• Microsurgical techniques for delicate nerve decompression
  

In cases where a patient has both spinal instability and nerve root compression, Dr. Graham and I work together to coordinate decompression procedures that protect neural structures while creating space for orthopedic stabilization.

Hybrid Surgical Techniques in Action

Some of our most successful cases involve hybrid procedures, which combine fusion at certain levels and motion-preserving implants at others. For example, we might:

• Perform a cervical artificial disk replacement at one level
  
• Use a fusion cage at another level that is too unstable for ADR
  
• Decompress nerve roots using a minimally invasive posterior approach
  

This kind of customized treatment plan ensures that each part of the spine gets exactly what it needs, no more, no less.

A Real Case from Our Practice

Recently, we treated a 56-year-old patient who had both cervical and lumbar issues. She was experiencing numbness in both arms, severe neck pain, and lower back stiffness that radiated down her legs. Imaging showed disk degeneration at three levels in her neck and two levels in her lower spine.

Working together, we developed a hybrid plan:

• Dr. Graham performed a two-level cervical disk replacement and a targeted decompression
  
• Dr. Kaplan placed a lumbar interbody fusion at the lower levels to stabilize the spine
  
• I coordinated the surgical flow and managed overall case logistics, ensuring everything was aligned from both a neurological and structural standpoint
  

The patient recovered beautifully. She was walking the day after surgery, had no more arm numbness, and reported significant relief in her lower back. She began physical therapy two weeks later and returned to light work within six weeks.

This result was only possible because we took a team approach and tailored the treatment to her specific needs.

The Future of Spine Care is Collaborative

Too often, spine care happens in silos. Orthopedic surgeons handle structure. Neurosurgeons handle nerves. Physical therapists step in after surgery. But complex cases do not respect these divisions. They require an integrated strategy that looks at the whole picture.

At Altus Medical Group, we have created a model that brings these specialties together. We sit down as a team. We review imaging, share perspectives, and build treatment plans that combine the best of orthopedic science and neurosurgical precision.

It is not about whose specialty is in charge. It is about what the patient needs to get better.

We believe this collaborative approach leads to fewer complications, better outcomes, and a smoother recovery. And it reflects the way spine care should evolve, not isolated decisions, but unified care.

Treating the Whole Spine with the Whole Team

Multi-level spine disease is complex, but with the right team and the right tools, it can be managed effectively. By combining orthopedic and neurosurgical strategies, we give our patients a better chance to heal, regain function, and avoid the cycle of chronic pain and repeated surgeries.

When the spine is viewed as a system and treated by a team that understands both structure and function, the results speak for themselves. Patients feel better, move better, and live better.

That is the power of collaboration in modern spine surgery. And I am proud to be part of a team that makes that possible.