Indiana neurosurgeon performs nation’s 1st customized spinal fusion

This article was originally published on September 28, 2026 at Becker’s Spine Review

Jonathan Hobbs, MD, a neurosurgeon at Chesterton, Ind.-based Lakeshore Bone & Joint Institute, performed what the practice says is the nation’s first fully customized posterior spinal fusion: a two-level lumbar interbody fusion combining patient-specific interbody cages and rods.

The procedure was performed at Valparaiso, Ind.-based Northwest Health – Porter and fused the two lowest levels of the spine, L4-S1, according to a Sept. 28 news release.

Dr. Hobbs used Carlsmed’s patient-specific aprevo TLIF interbody cages and Medtronic’s patient-specific UNiD rods. Both implants were designed using the patient’s X-rays and CT scans and manufactured before surgery according to a surgical plan Dr. Hobbs reviewed and approved.

Traditional spinal fusion uses standard-sized cages and rods that surgeons bend during the procedure. The patient-specific approach establishes an alignment goal before surgery and manufactures the hardware to match that plan.