INI Spine Institute

The INI Spine Institute offers a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach to the treatment of spinal disorders. Since many problems resolve without surgical intervention, we offer physiatry services, physical therapy, interventional spinal procedures, EMG/NCV studies, medication trials, and neurosurgical evaluation all under one roof. Specialized clinics for those with adult spina bifida and spinal deformities are also held at the Spine Institute.

INI Neurosurgery utilizes a unique pre-appointment evaluation process for patients referred to the Spine Institute. This program allows the neurosurgeon to review the patient's spinal history and diagnostic images, render an opinion within a few days of referral, and direct them to the most appropriate treatment option. Registered nurses with specialized training in spine management follow patients during their conservative treatment. In addition to directing patients to the most appropriate care in an efficient, timely manner, there are many other benefits of our triage process. Patients often experience earlier resolution of their symptoms, have better outcomes, return to work sooner, and save valuable time and money. Many of our patients' symptoms resolve without them having to see the neurosurgeon.

However, should surgery be necessary, our neurosurgeons offer treatment for the entire spectrum of spinal conditions, ranging from herniated discs and spinal stenosis to complex spinal deformities and tumors. Our six neurosurgeons collaborate with a specialized team including physical medicine, neuroradiology, interventional radiology, radiosurgical neurosurgery, radiation oncology, plastic surgery, oncology, pain anesthesiology, and neuropathology. Coupled with state of the art technology such as the Varian Trilogy, this team provides patients with the best diagnostic and treatment options available today. Total disc replacement, tumor resection, deformity correction procedures, and minimally invasive spine surgery are all performed by the neurosurgeons at the INI Spine Institute.

In addition to being the Midwest's experts in spine care, the neurosurgeons at INI Spine Institute are committed to education and research. The neurosurgical staff supports a neurosurgical residency and spine fellowship. In addition they have served as instructors for national training courses for other surgeons, participated in research studies on spinal cord injury, total disc replacement, spinal tumor resection, and bone graft replacement, authored numerous journal articles and text book chapters, and presented at both the national and international levels.