Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Truth About The Bonati Spine Institute

The Bonati Spine Institute has been operating continually without interruption since 1984, providing world-leading, proprietary, minimally invasive surgical procedures, which allow patients to experience unprecedented results, while being able to stay awake throughout the entire surgical procedure.

The Bonati Spine Institute has performed nearly 80,000 surgical procedures with a 98.75 percent patient-reported satisfaction rate.

Contrary to some reports and attacks by others in the industry who have unsuccessfully attempted to imitate Dr. Bonati’s surgical technique, Dr. Bonati has never had his license revoked, and the Bonati Spine Institute has never stopped seeing and treating patients.

No, contrary to false reports in the media, which have been trumpeted by pettifogger attorneys and others in the industry who have unsuccessfully attempted to imitate Dr. Bonati’s surgical technique, the Bonati Spine Institute has operated continually without interruption since 1984. During 2023, the primary surgical center used by the Bonati Spine Institute, was temporarily closed due to categorically false allegations of a surgical technician performing entire surgeries. Because our patients remain awake and talk with their doctor throughout the entire procedure, these allegations were not only entirely absurd, these allegations are, were and remain patently false.

As is commonly found at leading surgical centers around the United States like the Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins, our surgical technicians provide our doctors with assistance throughout the surgical procedure, which can include preparing the surgical site, providing instruments to the doctor during the procedure, cleaning the surgical site and placing sutures following the procedure.

The Bonati Spine Institute is the leading treatment center for back pain in the world. With nearly 80,000 procedures completed, and a patient-reported satisfaction rate of 98.75 percent, the Bonati Spine Institute has some of the best doctors in the world who perform more than 1,500 life-changing surgeries each year. Within an hour after the surgical procedure, our patients are typically up, walking and jogging the same day. If you choose to undergo treatment at the Bonati Spine Institute, you will remain awake and talk with your doctor throughout your entire procedure.

Dr. Alfred O. Bonati founded the Bonati Spine Institute in 1984 and is arguably the leading expert in the world at providing advanced, minimally-invasive spine surgery for people who suffer from chronic neck and back pain. Dr. Bonati has maintained an active medical license without interruption throughout his entire career. Under his leadership, the Bonati Spine Institute has performed nearly 80,000 surgical procedures with a 98.75 percent patient-reported satisfaction rate. Contrary to some reports and attacks by others in the industry who have unsuccessfully attempted to imitate Dr. Bonati’s surgical technique, Dr. Bonati has never had his license revoked, and the Bonati Spine Institute has never stopped seeing and treating patients.

No. Dr. Bonati’s license has never been suspended or revoked. Dr. Alfred O. Bonati founded the Bonati Spine Institute in 1984 and is arguably the leading expert in the world at providing advanced, minimally-invasive spine surgery for people who suffer from chronic neck and back pain. Dr. Bonati has maintained an active medical license without interruption throughout his entire career. Under his leadership, the Bonati Spine Institute has performed nearly 80,000 surgical procedures with a 98.75 percent patient-reported satisfaction rate. Contrary to some reports and attacks by others in the industry who have unsuccessfully attempted to imitate Dr. Bonati’s surgical technique, Dr. Bonati has never had his license revoked, and the Bonati Spine Institute has never stopped seeing and treating patients.

The Bonati Spine Institute is the leading treatment center for back pain in the world. With nearly 80,000 procedures completed, and a patient-reported satisfaction rate of 98.75 percent, the Bonati Spine Institute has some of the best doctors in the world who perform more than 1,500 life-changing procedures each year.

While the term minimally-invasive may be common language today, it was Dr. Alfred Bonati’s innovative patented procedures and instrumentation in the 1980s, which created minimally invasive spine surgery and revolutionized the medical industry.

Within an hour after the surgical procedure, patients are typically up, walking and jogging the same day. If you choose to undergo treatment at the Bonati Spine Institute, you will remain awake and talk with your doctor throughout your entire procedure, which allows for confirmation that the surgery was successful.

Why Choose The Bonati Spine Procedures

If you have tried more “conservative” treatments, such as physical therapy or chiropractic manipulation, yet your pain has lasted more than 3 months, is persistent, and seems to be running your life, then you should investigate a surgical solution for your pain.

The Bonati Spine Procedures are outpatient surgeries that do not require overnight hospitalization. The procedures are performed through the smallest incisions possible, resulting in far less trauma to the surrounding muscles and soft tissue, minimal blood loss, less scarring, and much faster recovery time.

Many of the patients who come to The Bonati Spine Institute have had previous “open” spine surgery at another facility that has failed. “Open” spine surgery often produces massive amounts of scar tissue, and this scar tissue can then begin producing radicular pain as it presses on nerve roots. Likewise, the hardware inserted in fusion surgeries can eventually become a problem, in that it produces scar tissue, or it can become loosened and move into a position where it compresses a nerve. In many cases, the problematic hardware can be removed, relieving the radicular pain it was causing.

About The Bonati Experience

There may be multiple abnormalities causing pain or other problems to the patient. We address one level at a time starting with the area causing the most discomfort. The patient is re-evaluated after the first procedure to determine if all the pain has gone away, or if the next area of concern should be addressed. Each surgical procedure is separated by a short interim period to allow for a post-operative MRI and patient recovery. We perform our procedures incrementally because sometimes an abnormality seen on an MRI or CT Scan may not be causing any symptoms.

One of the primary advantages of The Bonati Spine Procedures over old-fashioned “open” spine surgery is that through the use of conscious IV sedation, the patient remains conscious and can communicate directly to the surgeon whether their pain in a particular area is resolved.

Not everyone with a spine problem is a candidate for The Bonati Spine Procedures. Our surgeons will review your MRI or CT Scan within 2 business days of receipt. We will then provide you with a written opinion of any abnormalities found and inform you as to whether you are a candidate for The Bonati Spine Procedures. There is no charge or obligation associated with this MRI or CT Scan review.

The Bonati Spine Institute works with many insurance companies, each offering a variety of plans. As a service to our patients, we will verify all insurance coverage well in advance of scheduling any surgery and inform you of the exact extent of the coverage. There is no charge or obligation associated with this insurance coverage verification.

More About Our Procedures

The Bonati Spine Institute has been performing its procedures exclusively at our Hudson, Florida spine center for over 35 years.

More than 75,000 Bonati procedures have been performed successfully.

Dr. Alfred Bonati holds 7 U.S. Patents on advanced spinal surgery instruments and methods and was the first to develop the application and obtain FDA approval of the Holmium YAG laser for spine surgery.

The Bonati Spine Procedures are performed only at The Bonati Spine Institute in Hudson, Florida. Dr. Bonati developed and patented the instrumentation and methods and developed the protocols for these procedures.

Why Choose The Bonati Spine Institute?

When it comes to selecting a spine surgery center, experience is one of the most important factors. The surgeons of the Bonati Spine Institute have a level of experience unmatched by any other spine center. Over the past 30 years, The Bonati Spine Procedures have been successfully performed more than 75,000 times exclusively at our facility.

Our 11-acre medical campus offers the full range of pre-operative, surgical and post-operative services, including medical testing and clearances, imaging, post-operative recovery and a full clinical staff. We are a wholly self-contained Joint Commission accredited Ambulatory Surgery Center (ASC) allowing us to complete all medical care without having to “hand off” or sub-contract any responsibilities to third parties.

The Bonati Spine Institute maintains an active list of patients, each willing to share their experiences at The Bonati Spine Institute. To obtain a list of reference patients, simply contact your Patient Advocate.