Gulf Coast Spine Institute
 

The Gulf Coast Spine Institute (Dr. Bono and Dr.Ronzo) was recommended to my husband today for low back surgery. He has 5 different vertebraes that have problems (bulging, rupture, narrowing, stenosis and arthritis of the spine). Has anyone ever used Dr. Bono or Dr. Ronzo and what is their opinion of them. I appreciate all comments.

dr. ronzo has the biggest hands I have seen on a person.

That should help OP make a decision.

Try to get into Dr. Michael Hill. He's the best back guy in the area.

My husband had surgery on his neck several years ago, and had reconstructive spine surgery this past February. Dr. Bono was his surgeon. I don't know Dr. Ronzo but Dr. Bono is very nice, talented and compasionate. We were very pleased with the staff, treatment and overall care they provided. Let me know if you need additional info.

I'm at home now recovering from L4 and L5 fusion, with other things put in because of herniated disc. Doing great. I used Dr. Antonio Disclafani of the Ocala Neurosurgical Center. I'm doing great. Did a lot of research before I had this done, and personally I think he's the best in the area. My physical therapist and nurses would agree.

As always, on TOTV you're going to get many opinions. My 2-cents is that Dr. Daniel Spurrier, right here in T.V. is top-notch. He's a neurosurgeon and does non-evasive surgeries. At least go to him for a 2nd opinion...he can tell you what you'll need and if it's surgery that will be it or if not he'll give you other options. I had a dissectomy on a ruptured disc by him 3+ years ago and have done well since! I was given MANY positives from ALL the medical folks I encountered before and after my procedure from the EMT's. the ER, the surgical floor (I think that's on 3 at T.V. hospital) and my after-care people. My PT told me he'd seen many, many botched back surgeries but never with Dr. Spurrier!!

I agree with NotGolfer, my only choice would be Dr. Dan Spurrier; without a doubt, in my experiences, I would only choose him!

Research, research and ANYTIME a physician says surgery get 3 opinions......Scar tissue from the surgery will eventually affect you. ALSO, refer to the "Association for Medical Ethics" website started by Dr. Charles Rosen....the Surgeons who are Members of the AME DO NOT and will not take kick backs from the Medical Device Manufacturers (IE, fusion devices, titanium cage disc implants, etc....go to this website http://www.ethicaldoctor.org and read the article that was in the wall street journal "Surgeons Eyed Over Deals With Medical-Device Makers"........YOU can also email them asking for the name of a physician in this area that is an AME member...GOOD LUCK

Gulf Coast spine
 

Sorry for the delay in getting back. Thank you all for your replies. My husband has L1-2-3-4-5 problems. bulges on all, narrowing, stenosis, a 'floating' piece of something, and one disc almost fused itself, etc. We went to Shands, and the dr. looked at his MRI and confirmed all reports. He said that back surgery wouldn't help low back pain if the pain did not run down your leg (pinched nerve). We were very surprised to hear this as he is in severe pain when trying to walk, but not when sitting or sleeping. He recommended PT, shots, massage, acupuncture, chiro, etc. Has anyone had a dr. say that surgery would not help with this many discs involved, unles you had a pinched nerve? Anyway, we went to Dr. Bono's seminar the other day, and he looked at MRI and confirmed all problems but said he would need X-rays while bending in different directions to see closer up than just MRI. We have an office appt. with him on the 9th.
Appreciate all comments and help.

i have heard many people say Dr. Spurrier is very good. Thank you.

Orthopedic dr.
 

Thank you, will do.

Since this thread was started...Dr. Spurrier apparently has left The Villages! I was VERY sorry to hear this! I have back issues and may have to have an evaluation for it but have heard horror stories of the others in our community. I agree...research, research, research! Our social media community (here) can be helpful....that said though....one can get many/many opinions that may or may not be helpful.

One point to begin with concerning our backs is NOT to see an orthopedic specialist, but instead a neurosurgeon! Don't rush into surgery neither if other options are offered!

Dr. Spurrier is gone. His office is closed and the answering service off. TVRH does not have him on their list of surgeons anymore.

Go see dr Payman..sounds like your husband has the same problem as me which he has low back pain without radiation down the legs...dr Payman does a procedure where he burns the nerves in the joints of the back where your pain is coming from, which takes all of the low back pain away without surgery. It's call a radiofrequency ablation and you walk out the same day ....and it's. not surgery..I couldn't be happier with the results of my procedure