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Florida Spine Institute Physicians

Real Patient Testimonials

Real patients share their experience about Florida Spine Institute and how their lives have changed.

Terry Myers Wrote:

I have been a patient of Florida Spine for several years and always had exceptional treatment by Dr. Robert Gruber. He always took the time during office visits to solicit pertinent information while displaying compassion and concern for me, his patient. Since Dr. Gruber left Florida Spine I was referred to Dr. Botwin. I first met with some intern (woman of Indian decent) who was rude and could not have cared less about my condition. She simply went through a litany of rote questions, never allowing me to fully answer her questions. I frankly was ready to walk out of the office. I was led to a waiting room where Dr. Botwin made a guest appearance, asking me how I was, writing something on someone else?s chart and then left. Dr. Botwin was not in the examining room more than 30 seconds (no exaggeration). I did not come to see some intern; I came to see Dr. Botwin. Unfortunately, he was too busy to see me, his patient, who drove an hour and waited a half-hour to see him. How pathetic. I have an ongoing need for medication (maintenance) and attempted to get a refill since that visit, only to be told I had to come back in. Well, I have no intention of inconveniencing Dr. Botwin so I tried to see another doctor, Dr. Bouchlas. I called in Wednesday 8/20/08 and was told someone would call me. No one did. I called back on Friday, 8/22/08, and was told Dr. Bouchlas would not take me as a patient out of ?professional courtesy? to Dr. Botwin. I would think the professional courtesy should be extended to me, but then I am only the patient. I was referred to a Dr. Brown, whom I have never met nor know anything about. I recently attended a medical school graduation at University of Florida and heard a lot of moving, inspiring speeches by the faculty. It would seem that prospective doctors are taught to have compassion and concern for their future patients. Somewhere along the line money and insurance matters seem to take over and the patient is delegated to just a name on a chart. Clearly, Florida Spine has lost its vision and the doctors are simply there to churn patients to make money. Dr. Gruber was the salmon against the stream of indifference that seems to prevail at your clinic. You lost a good doctor and you certainly lost my respect and privilege of being your patient.

Services and Programs

Medical

At the Florida Spine Institute, our board certified physicians with specialties in Physiatry, Neurology and Pain Management provide a multitude of conservative treatments to patients to help alleviate their pain.

Surgical

In cases where non-operative approaches fail to provide relief, patients may be referred to a member of our surgical team.

Therapy & Rehabilitative Services

The Physical Therapy department of Florida Spine Institute employs therapists with over 100 years of combined clinical experience.

Advanced Testing & Diagnostics

Florida Spine Institute uses the most technologically advanced equipment to pinpoint the exact cause of your pain.

Secure Patient Access Portal

Where existing patients can:

Request Prescription Refills
Request Appointments
Update Patient Information

Recent News and Events

Apr
01

Comprehensive Care Call Center

The Florida Spine Institute is proud to announce the opening of our brand new Comprehensive Care Call Center on April 1, 2008. The code name for the center is "C4", and we are extremely pleased to be offering this "explosive" new way of facilitating excellent patient spine care. The call center will be manned by a team of ultra-professionals who will carry out the mission with passion and compassion toward each and every patient. The objective is to follow up and track the continuous care of our patients as well as coordinate efforts to inform referring physicians and healthcare providers alike.

This new matrix is far and away the most comprehensive and complete call center of its kind. In addition to scheduling patients, we will be able to handle prescriptions, follow-ups, testing, medical questions and the other myriad needs of our patients. Each patient will be assigned a care coordinator responsible for managing and troubleshooting each case. By being proactive and staying in front of potential issues, our patients will have swift and efficient access to care as indicated. Our goal is simple; provide 100% satisfaction for our patients and their referring physicians.

The C4 team will include Intake Specialists, Triage Specialists and Care Coordinators. As we continue to grow, our team will expand accordingly. We will not rest until we meet and exceed the needs of everyone that suffers with conditions of the spine.

Our physicians, staff, and patients are all thrilled about our new Comprehensive Care Call Center, explained Florida Spine Institute CEO William B. Shatz. "We know that this will only add to our reputation of being the most patient-centric, spine-focused Center of Excellence in this region of the country. C4 is an important step in our company's growth and pursuit of excellence and is just one of many forthcoming innovations that will be implemented in our journey to serve those with acute and chronic conditions of the spine."

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Mar
01

Selective Endoscopic Discectomy

The Florida Spine Institute is pleased to announce that we are now performing a new procedure called Selective Endoscopic Discectomy (SED). The Selective Endoscopic Discectomy procedure is redefining what we call minimally invasive spine surgery. This technique utilizes an endoscope to treat herniated, protruded, extruded, or degenerative discs that are a contributing factor to leg and back pain. The endoscope allows the surgeon to use a "keyhole" incision (thru 7mm canula versus 20-25 mm tradition approach) to access the herniated disc. Muscle and tissue are dilated rather than being cut when accessing the disc. Surgery time without complications can range between 60-90 minutes under local anesthesia.

The excellent visualization via the endoscope permits the surgeon to target true patho-anatomy and selectively remove the portion of the herniated nucleus pulposus that is contributing to the patients leg and back pain. The procedure is performed with an "inside out" technique working directly underneath the herniation (intradiscally) pulling it back into the disk instead of through the epidural space like a traditional Microdiscectomy.

The Benefits of Selective Endoscopic Discectomy are:

Outpatient procedure - No Hospitalization*
Avoidance of general anesthesia
Less tissue destruction
Less postoperative pain
If pain does persist, it is significantly decreased
Quicker recovery as compared to traditional open back surgery
Patient can return to work in a matter of days
Earlier Access to Physical Rehabilitation
Minimal scar tissue formation

Potential Candidates for the procedure include: Patients with radicular pain resulting from a single intervertebral disc herniations that occupies less than 50% of the spinal canal Patients who do not respond to conservative or conventional treatments such as NSAIDS, physical therapy or even failed back surgery such as a Microdiscectomy.

Patients who have spinal stenosis, mechanical instability, cauda equina syndrome, and large central disc herniations Patients who are otherwise destined for fusion may have a minimally invasive alternative for pain relief without fusion in selected patients.

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Florida Spine Institute Seminars

Jun
30

Advances in Surgery

Advances in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery presented by Rose Bingham RN, CCRC. To register you may fill out form below.

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Jun
09

Advances in Surgery

Dr Holen presents Advances in Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery

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