[Carl in Tampa]

I had multiple spine problems, due to both "age related deterioration" and a trip and fall injury.

Treatment was delayed for several months due to concerns of my cardiologist and pulmonologist regarding undergoing general anesthesia. Finally, because I was in so much pain that I was virtually immobile, they approved.

I took my MRI to Dr. Ronzo. He walked into the room, looked at me hunched forward in a chair and looked at my MRI and said, "I can get rid of that pain." Among my problems was three crushed vertebra, presumably from the fall. Dr. Ronzo did kyphoplasty, which is the insertion of a balloon into the vertebra and pumping it back up and then injecting plastic which hardens and holds it in place. The entry spot on my back was covered with a band aid. I was immediately relieved of the pain. The only negative thing about the event was that I had an allergic reaction to a medication they used as an antiseptic and I had to take Benadryl to get rid of the resulting hives. Because of the reaction they kept me overnight and released me the next day.

My other spinal issues required very delicate manipulation of a damaged spot on my thoracic spine and total replacement of virtually all of the discs in my lumbar spine. For these surgeries I went to Shands University of Florida Hospital where my surgeons were instructors in their teaching school. These were not minimally invasive; I have rods and screws throughout my spine now.

I suggest you read the information and watch the videos on the Gulfcoast Spine website. For a laminectomy they show how they do it.