Scott Hodges, DO
Fellowship-Trained Spine Surgeon · Spine Motion Specialists · Chattanooga, TN
Board Certified
Fellowship-Trained
Motion-Preserving Surgery
Lumbar & Cervical Spine
Credentials & Certifications
Medical Degree
Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) — University of Health Sciences, 1983
Residency
Orthopaedic Surgery, Ohio University – Doctors Hospital, 1883-1988
Fellowship
Spine Surgery — Loyola University Chicago, 1993
Board Certification
American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery® — Certified 1990 — Current
State License
TN Medical License #1028
NPI Number
Verify on NPPES NPI Registry1700882867
Clinical Focus & Experience
Primary Specialties
- Motion-Preserving Spine Surgery
- Lumbar Disc Replacement
- Cervical Disc Replacement
- Facet Replacement
- Minimally Invasive Procedures
Conditions Treated
- Spinal Stenosis
- Disc Herniation
- Degenerative Disc Disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Sciatica
- Failed Back Surgery Syndrome
- Kyphosis
- Scoliosis
- Facet Arthritis
- Annular Tear
- Radiculopathy
Years in Practice
40+ years
Total Procedures Performed
15,000+ spine procedures
Affiliations & Memberships
Hospital Affiliation(s)
- Rhea Medical Center, Dayton, TN
- CHI Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, TN
Professional Membership(s)
North American Spine Society (NASS) — member since 1992
Online Profiles
Verification Links
Biography
About Dr. Hodges
Dr. Scott Hodges is a fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon with more than 35 years of experience dedicated to helping patients restore function, preserve mobility, and improve long-term quality of life. Guided by faith and a deep sense of purpose, he believes the spine was designed to move and has committed his career to advancing motion-preserving solutions that protect that movement whenever possible. After seeing the long-term limitations many patients experienced following spinal fusion, Dr. Hodges focused his work on biomechanics, non-fusion surgical innovation, and personalized patient care tailored to each individual’s goals and lifestyle. Today, through Spine Motion Specialists, he combines decades of surgical experience, research, and compassionate one-on-one care to help patients stay active, independent, and confident in their bodies.
Training & Background
Dr. Hodges earned his Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree from the University of Health Sciences before completing his orthopedic surgery residency at Ohio University Doctors Hospital, where he developed a strong foundation in surgical technique, patient care, and musculoskeletal biomechanics. He later completed a spine surgery fellowship at Loyola University Chicago, a training experience that significantly shaped his long-term approach to spine care and motion preservation. During his time at Loyola, Dr. Hodges worked in the biomechanics laboratory of renowned spine biomechanical engineer Avinash Patwardhan,PhD whose pioneering research deepened Dr. Hodges’ understanding of how the spine moves and the importance of preserving natural biomechanics whenever possible. This combination of surgical training, biomechanics research, and decades of clinical experience became the foundation for Dr. Hodges’ lifelong commitment to motion-preserving spine surgery and non-fusion innovation.
Clinical Philosophy
Dr. Hodges’ clinical philosophy is rooted in one core belief: the spine was designed to move. Every treatment recommendation is made with the goal of protecting long-term mobility, reducing pain, and helping patients maintain independence and quality of life. He believes surgery should never be rushed, which is why he focuses first on comprehensive evaluation and exhausting appropriate conservative care whenever possible. When surgery becomes necessary, Dr. Hodges specializes exclusively in motion-preserving solutions designed to restore function while maintaining natural spinal movement. After decades of studying spinal biomechanics and seeing the long-term limitations fusion can place on patients, he made the decision to no longer offer spinal fusion, dedicating his practice entirely to non-fusion, patient-centered spine care tailored to each individual’s goals and lifestyle.
Peer-Reviewed Pulications
2025
Sivaganesan A, Koscielski M, Kabani AS, Sielatycki JA, Goldstein JA, Riesgraf B, Humphreys SC, Hodges SD. 24-Month Patient-Reported Outcomes for a Novel Lumbar Total Joint Replacement. NASS J. 2025 Jun;23:100747.
Humphreys SC, Block JE, Sivaganesan A, Nel LJ, Peterman M, Hodges SD. Optimizing the clinical adoption of total joint replacement of the lumbar spine through imaging, robotics and artificial intelligence. Expert Rev Med Devices. 2025;22(5):405-413.
Patwardhan A, Havey R, Hodges S, Humphreys C, Meldau J, Koscielski M, Sielatycki J, Muriuki M. Shear resistance of a posterior lumbar total joint replacement prosthesis. Spine J. 2025 Jun 19.
Goldstein JA, Nunley PD, Sivaganesan A, Sielatycki JA, Jorgensen AY, Khachatryan A, Humphreys SC, Block JE, Hodges SD, Nel LJ, Coric D. Total Joint Replacement of the Lumbar Spine: The Future of Motion Preservation. Int J Spine Surg. 2025 Mar;19(S2):S45-S48.
Ashmal A, Koscielski M, Sivaganesan A, Humphreys SC, Riesgraf B, Goldstein J, Hodges SD, Sielatycki JA. Pilot Study Outcomes on a Lumbar Total Joint Replacement: Return to Work. Clin Spine Surg. 2025 Jul 23.
Nunley PD, Sielatycki J, Humphreys SC, Hodges SD, Block JE, Coric D, Goldstein JA. Total joint replacement of the lumbar spine: 12-month pain and functional outcomes from an investigational device exemption (IDE) clinical trial. Int J Spine Surg. 2025 Oct 21.
2024
Humphreys SC, Nel LJ, Block JE, Hodges SD. Technical note on the role of Kambin’s Triangle in the evolution of total joint replacement of the lumbar spine. Int J Spine Surg. 2024 Jul 4;18(3):336-342.
Nel LJ, Humphreys SC, Sielatycki JA, Block JE, Hodges SD. Total joint replacement of the lumbar spine: report of the first two cases with 16 years of follow-up. J Spine Surg. 2024 Sep 23;10(3):583-589.
Sielatycki JA, Koscielski M, Chudik G, Metcalf T, Meldau J, Hodges SD. Treatment of spondylolisthesis using a motion preserving lumbar total joint replacement: a case report. Signif Bioeng Biosci. 2024 Jun;6(5):SBB.000648.
Humphreys SC, Hodges SD, Sielatycki JA, Sivaganesan A, Block JE. Are we finally ready for total joint replacement of the spine? An extension of Charnley’s vision. Int J Spine Surg. 2024 Mar 4;18(1):24-31.
2022
Metcalf T, Sielatycki JA, Koscielski M, Schatzman N, Devin CJ, Goldstein JA, Hodges SD. Intrathecal fentanyl with a myofascial plane block in open lumbar surgeries: a case series. Oper Neurosurg. 2022 Jun 1;22(6):387-390.
Sielatycki J, Metcalf T, Chudik G, Devin C, Jarrell J, Koscielski M, Hodges S. Lumbar fusion success and sequelae: a narrative review. Am Osteopath Acad Orthop J. 2022 Mar;6(1).
Sielatycki J, Metcalf T, Chudik G, Devin C, Koscielski M, Hodges S. Understanding clinically relevant lumbar instability: a narrative review. Am Osteopath Acad Orthop J. 2022 Mar;6(1).
2021
Sielatycki JA, Devin CJ, Pennings J, Koscielski M, Metcalf T, Archer KR, Dunn R, Humphreys SC, Hodges S. A novel lumbar total joint replacement may be an improvement over fusion for degenerative lumbar conditions: a comparative analysis of patient-reported outcomes at one year. Spine J. 2021 May;21(5):829-840.
Patwardhan AG, Sielatycki JA, Havey RM, Humphreys SC, Hodges SD, Blank KR, Muriuki MG. Loading of the lumbar spine during transition from standing to sitting: effect of fusion versus motion preservation at L4-L5 and L5-S1. Spine J. 2021 Apr;21(4):708-719.
Sielatycki JA, Metcalf T, Koscielski M, Devin CJ, Hodges S. Seated lateral X-ray is a better stress radiograph of the lumbar spine compared to standing flexion. Global Spine J. 2021 Sep;11(7):1099-1103.
2019
Gornet MF, Lanman TH, Burkus JK, Dryer RF, McConnell JR, Hodges SD, Schranck FW. Two-level cervical disc arthroplasty versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion: 10-year outcomes of a prospective, randomized investigational device exemption clinical trial. J Neurosurg Spine. 2019;31(4):508-518.
Gornet MF, Lanman TH, Burkus JK, Hodges SD, McConnell JR, Dryer RF, Schranck FW, Copay AG. One-level versus 2-level treatment with cervical disc arthroplasty or fusion: outcomes up to 7 years. Int J Spine Surg. 2019 Dec 31;13(6):551-560.
2018
Gornet MF, McConnell JR, Riew KD, Lanman TH, Burkus JK, Hodges SD, Dryer RF, Copay AG, Schranck FW. Treatment of cervical myelopathy: long-term outcomes of arthroplasty for myelopathy versus radiculopathy, and arthroplasty versus arthrodesis for myelopathy. Clin Spine Surg. 2018 Dec;31(10):420-427.
2017
Lanman TH, Burkus JK, Dryer RG, Gornet MF, McConnell J, Hodges SD. Long-term clinical and radiographic outcomes of the Prestige LP artificial cervical disc replacement at 2 levels: results from a prospective randomized controlled clinical trial. J Neurosurg Spine. 2017;27(1):7-19.
Gornet MF, Lanman TH, Burkus JK, Hodges SD, McConnell JR, Dryer RF, Copay AG, Nian H, Harrell FE Jr. Cervical disc arthroplasty with the Prestige LP disc versus anterior cervical discectomy and fusion, at 2 levels: results of a prospective, multicenter randomized controlled clinical trial at 24 months. J Neurosurg Spine. 2017;26(6):653-667.
2012
Hodges SD, Eck JC, Newton D. Analysis of CT-based navigation system for pedicle screw placement. Orthopedics. 2012;35(8):e1221-e1224.
2008
Eck JC, Nachtigall D, Humphreys SC, Hodges SD. Comparison of vertebroplasty and balloon kyphoplasty for treatment of vertebral compression fractures: a meta-analysis of the literature. Spine J. 2008 May-Jun;8(3):488-97.
2007
Humphreys SC, Hodges S, Lumpkin K, Eck J, Wurster R, Hagen J, Farmer D. Assessing lumbar sagittal motion using videography in an in vivo pilot study. Int J Ind Ergon. 2007 Jul;37(7):653-656.
2004
Hodges SD, Eck JC, Humphreys SC. A treatment and outcomes analysis of patients with coccydynia. Spine J. 2004 Mar-Apr;4(2):138-140.
2002
Eck JC, Humphreys SC, Lim TH, Jeong ST, Kim JG, Hodges SD, An HS. Biomechanical study on the effect of cervical spine fusion on adjacent-level intradiscal pressure and segmental motion. Spine. 2002 Nov 15;27(22):2431-2434.
Hodges SD, et al. Effect of spirituality on successful recovery from spinal surgery. South Med J. 2002 Dec;95(12):1381+.
Humphreys SC, Eck JC, Hodges SD. Neuroimaging in low back pain. Am Fam Physician. 2002 Jun 1;65(11):2299-2307.
2001
Eck JC, Hodges SD, Humphreys SC. Whiplash: a review of a commonly misunderstood injury. Am J Med. 2001 Jun 1;110(8):651-656.
Humphreys SC, Hodges SD, Patwardhan AG, Eck JC, Murphy RB, Covington LA. Comparison of posterior and transforaminal approaches to lumbar interbody fusion. Spine. 2001 Mar 1;26(5):567-571.
Hodges SD, Humphreys SC, Eck J, Covington L, Harrom H. Predicting factors of successful recovery from lumbar spine surgery among workers’ compensation patients. J Am Osteopath Assoc. 2001 Feb;101(2).
2000
Patwardhan AG, Havey RM, Ghanayem AJ, Diener H, Meade KP, Dunlap B, Hodges SD. Load-carrying capacity of the human cervical spine in compression is increased under a follower load. Spine. 2000 Jun 15;25(12):1548-1554.
1999 / 1998
Hodges SD, Humphreys SC, Eck JC, Covington LA. The surgical treatment of far lateral L3-L4 and L4-L5 disc herniations: a modified technique and outcomes analysis of 25 patients. Spine. 1999 Jun 15;24(12):1243-1246.
Hodges SD, Humphreys SC, Eck JC, Covington LA. Management of incidental durotomy without mandatory bed rest: a retrospective review of 20 cases. Spine. 1999 Oct 1;24(19):2062.
Humphreys SC, Chase J, Patwardhan A, Shuster J, Lomasney L, Hodges SD. Flexion and traction effect on C5-C6 foraminal space. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1998 Sep;79(9):1105-1109.
Hodges SD, Castleberg RL, Miller T, Ward R, Thornburg C. Cervical epidural steroid injection with intrinsic spinal cord damage: two case reports. Spine. 1998 Oct 1;23(19):2137-2140.
Humphreys SC, Hodges SD, Fisher DL, Eck JC, Covington LA. Reliability of magnetic resonance imaging in predicting disc material posterior to the posterior longitudinal ligament in the cervical spine: a prospective study. Spine. 1998 Nov 15;23(22):2468-2471.
Humphreys SC, Hodges SD, Patwardhan A, Eck JC, Covington LA, Sartori M. The natural history of the cervical foramen in symptomatic and asymptomatic individuals aged 20-60 years as measured by magnetic resonance imaging: a descriptive approach. Spine. 1998 Oct 15;23(20):2180-2184.
1994
Hodges SD, Fronczak S, Zindrick MR, Lorenz MA, Vrbos LA. Extradural synovial thoracic cyst. Spine. 1994 Nov 1;19(21):2471-2473.
Presentations
Podium Presentations
Presentations delivered at national spine surgery conferences and scientific meetings.
- Pivotal IDE Clinical Trial of Total Joint Replacement for the Lumbar Spine: 12-Month Patient Reported Outcomes Compared to TLIF
- Spinal Alignment Changes with Different Body Positions in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Pilot Study of 10 Subjects
- Shear Resistance of a Posterior Lumbar Total Joint Replacement Prosthesis Implanted in L5-S1 After Bilateral Facetectomy and Discectomy
- Two Year Follow-up Data From a Pilot Study on a Lumbar Total Joint Replacement
- Return to Work Following Lumbar Total Joint Replacement
- A Hybrid Construct May Be Sufficient to Relieve Hypermobility in Adjacent Lumbar Segments: Comparison of 2-Level (L4-S1) Motion Preservation vs. Hybrid Construct
- Pilot Study Outcomes on a Lumbar Total Joint Replacement: Return to Work
- During Activities of Daily Living Two-Level Motion Preservation and Hybrid Constructs May Be Protective of Adjacent Segments
- A Novel Lumbar Total Joint Replacement as an Alternative to Fusion for Degenerative Lumbar Conditions: A Comparative Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes at One Year
- Intrathecal Fentanyl With a Myofascial Plane Block May Be Safe Technique for Postoperative Analgesia in Lumbar Spine Surgery
- A Novel Posterior Total Joint Replacement for the Lumbar Spine as an Alternative to Fusion: Pilot Data for the First 84 Patients
- Posterior Total Lumbar Joint Replacement (KENAI): A 12-Year Review of the First Patients
- The Seated Lateral Radiograph Is a Better Stress View of the Lumbar Spine
Poster Presentations
Scientific posters presented at national spine surgery conferences and scientific meetings.
- Pivotal IDE Clinical Trial of Total Joint Replacement for the Lumbar Spine: 12-Month Patient Reported Outcomes Compared to TLIF
- A Novel Lumbar Total Joint Replacement May Be an Improvement Over Fusion for Degenerative Lumbar Conditions: A Comparative Analysis of Patient-Reported Outcomes at One Year
- Intrathecal Fentanyl With a Myofascial Plane Block May Be Safe Technique for Postoperative Analgesia in Lumbar Spine Surgery
- Motion Preservation Adjacent to Lumbar Fusion May Protect Against Junctional Breakdown Over Time
- Spinal Alignment Changes with Different Body Positions in Asymptomatic Individuals: A Pilot Study of 10 Subjects