Kiersten was unable to walk before coming to The Bonati Spine Institute
see Kiersten′s story
26 year old Sean O′Dell′s amazing success story of recovery
see Sean′s story
see more patient testimonials

Am I a Candidate: Patient Services

Unsurpassed quality care in an elegant setting

The Bonati Spine Institute represents years of dedication to helping people in pain. The medical complex occupies an eleven-acre campus in Hudson, Florida, approximately 40 miles north of Tampa. The Institute’s Administration Center, Imaging Center, Neurology Center, Surgical Center, Pain Management Center, and Physical Therapy Center rest within a spacious Old Florida setting, a park-like reserve with native foliage and wildlife.


The Administration Center

“Home base” for visitors to The Bonati Spine Institute is the Administration Center, an impressive mirrored facility wrapped around a spacious atrium. This facility is designed to accommodate both patients and accompanying families or friends. The Bonati Spine Institute’s experienced Administrative staff is available to answer any question or fulfill any request, from coordinating insurance claims to arranging assistance with lodging and transportation. The Administration Center also houses The Bonati Spine Institute’s Information Network, a comprehensive and well-secured database that insures accurate recording and tracking of patient information through each phase of treatment.

The Administration Center offers numerous amenities for the comfort and education of The Bonati Spine Institute’s patients and guests, including high-speed Internet access and a lobby refreshment bar.


The Imaging Center

The key to successful treatment, and a life free of pain, is extensive and detailed diagnosis prior to surgery. In nearly every case, proper diagnosis begins with analysis of recent MRI or CT Scan film. MRI, or Magnetic Resonance Imaging, is a safe and painless method for viewing the inside of the human body. MRI can provide two- or three-dimensional perspectives for diagnosis and can visualize parts of the body not seen by other imaging technologies. The Imaging Center at The Bonati Spine Institute houses a complete MRI Diagnostic Facility with an open .23 Tesla Phillips Super Conductor Magnet MRI.


The Neurology Center

Four out of every five people will experience back or neck pain in their lives, making these conditions the most commonly occurring in medicine. However, the pain caused by back or neck problems can seem very complex, where often the severity of the pain is not a true indicator of the severity of the problem. There are dozens of symptoms that can be attributed to problems in the back or neck. Often the accompanying pain radiates to other parts of the body such as the arms or legs. For example, an obstruction in the lumbar spine area may induce symptoms of intense pain in the legs or difficulty with walking.

The Neurology Center takes away much of the mystery about pain by employing The Bonati Spine Institute’s Nerve Pathways to trace pain back to its true source. Once the source of pain is determined, a complete diagnostic work-up is administered, including Physical Assessment Tests and Nerve Conduction Tests to isolate any abnormalities of the nerves, spine, or soft tissue.


The Surgical Center

The Surgical Center at The Bonati Spine Institute is the state of the art. Many of the advantages of The Bonati Procedures are made possible by the range of advanced medical technologies available in the Surgical Center’s three fully-equipped operating rooms. Along with The Bonati Spine Institute’s patented surgical instrumentation, the micro-technology employed within The Surgical Center includes endoscopes and surgical lasers. Endoscopes use fiber optics and television micro-cameras to illuminate the arthroscopic passageway and project a highly magnified and detailed picture of the problem area onto a large screen in the operating room.

The Surgical Center also features FDA-approved Holmium YAG Lasers, considered the most effective laser instruments for arthroscopic orthopedic surgery. The wave length from these tightly-controlled lasers produces a thermal effect of less than one-half of one millimeter, or about 1/20th the width of a scalpel. The pinpoint accuracy of the surgical laser, small arthroscopic incision and passageway, and miniaturized instrumentation, make the typical Bonati Procedure gentle enough to only require a local anesthetic, similar to that used in a dentist’s office. The minimal disruption to the tissues during surgery also contributes to faster recovery, reduced pain and swelling, greatly reduced risk of infections and shorter physical therapy.

The Pain Management Center

Most patients will feel relief from pain immediately following a Bonati Procedure. Any discomfort in the area of the surgery is usually minimal, and patients are encouraged to begin walking immediately to start correcting any irregularities in gait or posture due to previous over-compensation for pain or loss of mobility. In some cases, Epidural Steroid Injections (ESIs) may be used to allow easier movement for the patient and to prevent any further irritation of the affected nerve root. The Pain Management Center at times may prescribe an antibiotic, an anti-inflammatory, or a mild pain reliever.

The Physical Therapy Center

The Physical Therapy Center at The Bonati Spine Institute features a full range of therapies designed to produce optimum post-operative recovery without the use of narcotics. The re-conditioning therapies available in The Bonati Spine Institute’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Program include:

  • Pool therapy and aquatics
  • Deep massage
  • Hydrotherapy
  • Physio-therapeutics
  • Ultrasound
  • Hot and cold packs
  • Biomechanics training
  • Posture training
  • Strength training
  • Cardiovascular training
  • Controlled stretching

Upon the completion of The Bonati Spine Institute’s Accelerated Rehabilitation Program, our physical therapy professionals will provide you with an individualized Home Therapy Program that includes home exercises to help you return to normal daily life quickly and maintain optimal spine health.

Copyright © 2009. The Bonati Spine Institute. All Rights Reserved    Contact Us  |  Terms of Use  |  Site Map