The Los Angeles Times recently featured a groundbreaking study led by fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon at DISC Surgery Center, Steven Girdler, MD. The article spotlighted how this study redefined what’s possible in modern spine care with one of the largest outpatient artificial disc replacement (ADR) studies ever conducted—covering more than 1,000 cases over six years.
Dr. Girdler didn’t work alone – his team included DISC specialists:
- Joel S. Beckett, MD
- Robert S. Bray, Jr., MD, FAANS
- Brandon Hirsch, MD
- Nick Jain, MD
- Amer Khalil, MD
- Luke Macyszyn, MD, FAANS, FACS
- Rojeh Melikian, MD
- Ali H. Mesiwala, MD, FAANS
- Grant D. Shifflett, MD.
For years, multi-level spine surgery was thought to require a hospital stay, but this new research proves otherwise. Dr. Girdler and his team reviewed 1,043 outpatient artificial disc replacement cases from 2018 to 2024, including hundreds of two-level and even three-level procedures, that demonstrated that patients can safely and successfully undergo disc replacement in an outpatient setting.
The results? Zero hospital transfers, zero blood transfusions, and zero perioperative readmissions. Every patient went home within 24 hours.
This is the future of spine surgery—and it’s happening here at DISC.
Why This Matters for Patients
Artificial disc replacement is more than just a surgical option. It’s a life-changing advancement that:
- Preserves motion: Unlike spinal fusion, ADR allows patients to keep their natural neck mobility.
- Reduces future risk: Studies show ADR cuts the rate of adjacent segment disease in half compared to fusion.
- Speeds recovery: Most patients are walking and on their way home the same day.
“When you fuse a level, you eliminate all motion at that segment. A three-level fusion could take away up to 30% of neck motion. Artificial disc replacement preserves that motion and reduces the stress on nearby discs,” Dr. Girdler told The LA Times.
While not every patient is a candidate for outpatient procedures, Dr. Girdler noted that the majority can safely receive outpatient care.
“There are certainly some patients who have complex medical needs… where it’s simply unsafe for them to be outside of a hospital setting,” he said. “We’re certainly not trying to do anything unsafe. But the majority of people would qualify.”
The findings from the abstract confirm this, as a wide range of patients were included — not just healthy individuals, but also those with moderate to severe systemic disease.
Efficiency Without Compromise
The study also revealed how quick and efficient outpatient disc replacement can be:
- Single-level ADR: ~70 minutes
- Two-level ADR: ~93 minutes
- Three-level ADR: ~132 minutes
That means shorter surgeries, smoother recoveries, and a seamless patient experience—all while maintaining the highest standards of safety.
So, what’s the trick? An entire ecosystem designed to be the best it can be at performing outpatient surgeries. “It’s a whole team,” Dr. Girdler told The LA Times. “It’s an entire facility that’s dedicated to the singular mission of providing this outpatient care”.
DISC doctors are leaders in advancing modern, patient-centered spine care. These findings not only validate the safety of outpatient artificial disc replacement but also show the potential to lower costs for patients and the healthcare system without compromising outcomes.
At DISC, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this movement. With our world-class surgeons, specialized facilities, and commitment to innovation, we’re setting a new benchmark in spine surgery.
Ready to learn more? If you or a loved one is struggling with chronic neck pain or considering spine surgery, now is the time to explore your options. Artificial disc replacement may help you get back to life faster, safer, and with preserved mobility. Schedule a consultation with DISC today to find out if you’re a candidate for artificial disc replacement.
Want to read more about Dr. Girdler’s study? Check out our feature here.
