[mikers31]

Has anyone had any experience with the Laser Spine Instsitute with regard to consultations or procedures.

[friendly11]

Stay away from that place!!!!! My husband went to them. They promise they can fix anything. After my husband had his operation they said, Oh, he needs several more operations and they would give him a $500 discount. It should have been a red flag to us when they said they do not take Medicare Insurance and payment has to be up front.

[askcarl]

Tough to recommend any place that requires payment up front and doesn't take insurance. That was my experience back in 2009. I will say that they were through in the work up, scans, etc. They ended up refusing me treatment saying I would be better treated elsewhere. so... At least they admitted their limits. just my .02 cents.

[NotGolfer]

I have some back issues that have sent me to Dr. Dan Spurrier here in The Villages. Some years back I asked him "what if I have trouble while I'm up north?" He told me to see a neurosurgeon!

I wouldn't go to a place like the one you're asking about. First of all I don't like their ad..."promising"....PLUS they aren't specialists in the practice of the spine. Think spinal fluid, spinal cord...both are connected to your brain! I wouldn't mess with someone like these guys!!!! You can also google their names...do your own sleuthing...see where they were trained and if there's any red flags!!

When I had my spinal surgery with Dr. Spurrier...all across the board from EMT's, emergency room personnel, medical staff on the surgical floor, surgical staff AND the home-health personnel told me he was THE best. The p.t. person told me he'd seen examples of others and he'd seen some real messes.

[TF Hutch]

I did some research on Google. I suggest you do the same. Run, don't walk away from them.

[Carl in Tampa]

I know nothing about the Laser Spine Institute.

Also I would not presume to recommend a doctor to a stranger regarding something as serious as back surgery.

That said, my experience is with Dr. James Ronzo of Gulfcoast Spine Institute.

I first developed a back problem earlier this year that is probably age related; spinal stenosis (narrowing) in the lumbar area. The problem was compounded by a trip and fall accident. By the time I was able to obtain a usable MRI it was discovered that in addition to the stenosis I had three crushed vertebra and a disintegrating disc that was allowing some bone on bone contact.

Before the above diagnosis was available I had gone to the Central Florida Pain Management Clinic. After a full course of treatment was unsuccessful, they referred me to the Gulfcoast Spine Institute.

Dr. Ronzo reviewed my MRI and said he could correct my crushed vertebra problem with minimally invasive outpatient surgery while I was under light sedation, as opposed to general anesthesia. The operation, performed at The
Villages Regional Hospital, has removed about 70% of the pain I was experiencing.

Unfortunately, the surgery I need for my disc problem requires general anesthesia and this is not advisable for me due to a heart condition. I am trying to learn to live with the lower level of back pain that I still experience.

The Gulfcoast Spine Institute has a detailed web site at Spine Surgery Tampa, Orlando & The Villages, FL - Back Surgery & Spinal Treatment | Gulfcoast Spine Institute . (Click on the link.)

They accepted my Medicare and supplemental coverage.

[NotGolfer]

I still advise you to not go there. They aren't back specialists...if I recall from their ads they're either D.O.'s or orthopedic docs, can't remember which. When anyone is going to mess with my back I go to a neurosurgeon. Your spinal column is part of the issues here. Dr. Dan Spurrier in the Sharon Morse Bldg (he moved from Old Camp Rd.) is very good and will advise you on how to proceed! He won't operate "unless" it is warranted!

[BBQMan]

You need a spine specialist rather than a general Orthopedic or Neuro Surgeon. My nephew is one having done his residency in orthopedic surgery at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN and his spine fellowship at the Baylor Spine Institute in Houston. If you PM me I will send you information on him and his qualifications. He is located in Texas and you are in Florida and so is of little use to you.

He recommends two places in Florida: (1) Mayo Clinic Jacksonville and (2) Jewett Orthopedic Clinic in Winter Park. Both of these have well qualified spine surgeons and will put you with one of them. Both also accept Medicare and do not ask for cash in advance. Avoid any Chiropractors, specialists located in small communities such as the Villages and Ocala and non-specialized surgeons. Good luck.

[2 Oldcrabs]

My brother-in-law gave them $50k to fix his back. Did not work and they want more money to try again! They would not take insurance. I would not go there.

[graciegirl]

To change the subject but on the subject of backs, it is frightening to hear of the meningitis cases that have been occuring from steroid injections that are tainted with some fungus that have already resulted in seven deaths.

I read in yesterday's Sun that three places in Ocala, one in Orlando and several other places in Florida had received medicine from that lab in Mass. There is nothing that can be done for those patients who have received the tainted injections but to wait until symptoms occur. No treatment can be given and it could take several months until people are truly safe.

Cortisone injections into the spine are usually a safe procedure generally, the article states. This is all due to tainted medicine.

I feel for all of those who have received injections with the tainted medicine and must wait to know if they are affected.

[thedahmans]

Originally Posted by mikers31

Has anyone had any experience with the Laser Spine Instsitute with regard to consultations or procedures.

Mike, I don't know anything about them but if you're considering surgery I would suggest you think twice!

I went to my doctor with horrible back pain and it turned out I had 2 very herniated discs. He prescribed pain meds and said surgery was my only option. I went to a surgeon and spoke with him but decided after doing some research that I didn't want to have the surgery. I hobbled a long for a bit then on a visit to TV I saw an ad for the Davis Clinic. It took a couple months on their DRS machine but it did the trick... no more back pain! They don't accept insurance and you do have to pay up front but for me it was definitely worth it and am glad I didn't have to go through with back surgery!

Good luck, I hope you get your problem taken care of!

[thedahmans]

Originally Posted by mikers31

Has anyone had any experience with the Laser Spine Instsitute with regard to consultations or procedures.

Mike, I don't know anything about them but if you're considering surgery I would suggest you think twice!

I went to my doctor with horrible back pain and it turned out I had 2 very herniated discs. He prescribed pain meds and said surgery was my only option. I went to a surgeon and spoke with him but decided after doing some research that I didn't want to have the surgery. I hobbled a long for a bit then on a visit to TV I saw an ad for the Davis Clinic. It took a couple months on their DRS machine but it did the trick... no more back pain! They don't accept insurance and you do have to pay up front but for me it was definitely worth it and am glad I didn't have to go through with back surgery!

Good luck, I hope you get your problem taken care of!

[thedahmans]

eh, I just realized that this thread was from 2009! Hopefully you've found your answer by now!

But also, gracie, yes that is very scary! When I had my back issues they wanted to do steroid injections... I didn't do it and am very thankful! There have been a few cases in my hometown in Indiana. Spinal injections are scary enough without the added threat of meningitis on top of it! I can't imagine the horror and having to wait to find out if you're infected.

[villager]

Many years ago I needed surgery for a herniated disk. I was "counseled" by several in the medical profession not to let anyone but a neurosurgeon do any surgery. The closer you are to the spinal cord, the more you need a neurosurgeon.

[NotGolfer]

Originally Posted by villager

Many years ago I needed surgery for a herniated disk. I was "counseled" by several in the medical profession not to let anyone but a neurosurgeon do any surgery. The closer you are to the spinal cord, the more you need a neurosurgeon.

Yup....true dat!!!