We get questions regularly on how The Bonati Spine Institute is different from other “minimally invasive” surgery facilities. While some of our procedures may seem the same as those performed at other facilities, our tools and procedures were developed and patented by Dr. Bonati, and the techniques performed in our procedures are not available at any other facility in the world.

Industry Firsts

Dr. Bonati and the Bonati Spine Institute was:

  • The first orthopaedic ambulatory spine center in the United States.
  • The first to receive United States patents for methods and instrumentation for laser assisted spine surgical procedures.
  • The first surgical center in the United States to apply for and obtain FDA approval for the use of the Holmium-YAG laser in spine surgery.
  • The first developed and patented procedures for hardware removal in spine surgery.

“Minimally Invasive” Surgery vs. The Bonati Spine Procedures

“Minimally invasive” spinal surgery is performed with the goal of minimizing trauma to the tissues surrounding the spine. It involves smaller incisions that cause less pain, less blood loss and special tools for working in smaller spaces. However, the problem with many other spine surgery centers is that they claim to perform “minimally invasive” surgery, but in fact perform fusions, or insert hardware or artificial discs, etc. Those procedures are not truly “minimally invasive.”

Additionally, the laser is not a “magic wand” that can instantly reverse arthritis, heal degenerated discs, or cure all back pain. A laser is just one of the many tools that may be used to perform specific surgical techniques. It has benefits and limitations.

The Bonati Spine Institute has resisted the economic pressure of utilizing hardware or performing fusions and stayed true to its belief that most spinal conditions can be treated in a minimally invasive fashion, without further damage to the body. The Bonati Spine Procedures are performed under local anesthesia and conscious IV sedation. Therefore, the patients remain awake, aware and alert during the procedure, which allows for direct communication with the surgeon as the pain is alleviated.  In addition to the small incision, The Bonati Spine Procedures are gentle enough to be performed on an outpatient basis. Overnight hospitalization is not required after these procedures, which dramatically reduces recovery time and medical costs.

The Bonati Spine Procedures offer an array of  techniques to treat spinal problems in the cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine, virtually eliminating the need for open back surgery or spinal fusions. Our exclusive protocol, including extensive pre-operative analysis to isolate the exact cause of pain from a spinal condition as well as to determine what array of procedures should be performed, brings true resolution to our patient’s pain.

Get Help!

Although The Bonati Spine Institute is where laser spine surgery began, The Bonati Spine Procedures have been advanced and perfected over three decades to surpass laser spine surgery techniques. Many of the centers advertising laser spine surgery merely perform basic laser discectomy, a procedure pioneered at The Bonati Spine Institute over 30 years ago!

If you’re suffering from back or neck pain, or pain in in your arms or legs as a resulted of a back or neck condition, allow our physicians and staff to review your case and verify if the Bonati Spine Procedures can help you. Click here to discuss your condition with one of our patient advocates or call us at 855-267-0482.