11 Best Spine Institutes and Centers in New York
Tuesday, March 29, 2022
Over 50 million US adults suffer from chronic pain.
If you're suffering from chronic back and neck pain, deciding on the best treatment option can feel overwhelming. The best way to make the decision process more approachable is by finding a spine institute with a qualified doctor who will evaluate your condition and provide you with the necessary help that you need.
If you live or stay in New York and you're searching for the best spine institutes in New York City and state, this article contains a list of the best spine institutes in the state and everything you need to know about them, including their specialties and qualifications.
World Leader In Laser Spine Surgery
While this article contains a list of the best spine institutes in New York, the first spine institute we'll be looking at is Deuk Spine Institute. Deuk Spine Institute is the best spine institute in the country, and patients travel from all across the country to get treated at this spine institute.
Deuk Spine Institute
With world-class physicians on staff, the newest and most advanced technology, and a patient experience pathway that is unrivaled in its efficiency and pedagogy of care, Deuk Spine Institute has performed thousands of procedures and achieved a 95% success rate in the elimination of pain.
The services offered in this institute are not offered anywhere else in the world, and their treatments are curative, not palliative. On top of that, the founder of Deuk Spine Institute, Dr. Deukmedjian, is personally invested in the well-being of each and every patient and has spared no expense to guarantee the best possible outcomes.
There’s a reason people travel from all over the country to get treated here. Deuk Spine Institute offers the best treatment when it comes to the elimination of pain.
About the surgeon:
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, also known as Dr. Deuk to his patients and colleagues, is a renowned neuro-spine surgeon and a true pioneer in minimally invasive, laser, and endoscopic back, neck, and thoracic pain treatment. Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, who grew up in Southern California, now practices at the Deuk Spine Institute in Florida.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian, who grew up in Southern California, now practices at the Deuk Spine Institute in Florida. He developed a laser procedure called Deuk Laser Disc Repair, which is the most advanced laser spine surgery in the world. This revolutionary procedure is an alternative to dangerous invasive surgeries like total disc replacement or spinal fusion.
Dr. Deuk has treated over 1,000 herniated or degenerated lumbar discs, performed over 2,000 cervical decompressive discectomies, and performed more than 1,300 laser spine surgeries to date with no complications.
Deuk Laser Disc Repair has had a 95% success rate with no complications in any patient, which is higher than any other surgery available today.
Dr. Ara Deukmedjian is also a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS), American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS), Surgery Department Chair, Parrish Medical Center, and Brevard County Medical Society (President, Board of Governors). He has also been awarded the “Patients Choice Award” for consecutive years.
Best Spine Institutes in New York
1. New York Spine Institute
New York Spine Institute is a leader in spinal care, providing quality treatment for back and neck pain. At this institute, their physicians are trained to provide relief from pain or injury related to the lower back, upper spine area, and neck problems. NYSI offers a full range of services, including surgery, injections, physical therapy, and more.
With state-of-the-art facilities spread across New York that provide advanced treatment for the back, neck, and spine, NYSI assures quality care to the people of Long Island and Greater NYC.
New York Spine Institute thrives on the commitment to provide its patients with the best possible experience, whether it's through innovative surgical techniques or an individualized rehabilitation program designed especially for them. In all, they offer everything from pain management options to acupuncture therapy and are always on hand if you need advice about what exercises will most benefit your condition.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Alexandre B. De Moura M.D., FAAOS, is a globally recognized spinal wellness expert who established the New York Spine Institute in Westbury to bring his association with the NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases and other world-renowned doctors to Long Island. Dr. De Moura earned his medical degree from the University of Chicago Medical School.
At Temple University Medical Center, he finished his orthopedic surgery residency. Subsequently, he completed his fellowship in Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Spine Surgery at the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Dr. De Moura came to Long Island in 1996, bringing with him a wealth of experience addressing exceedingly difficult patients at some of the world's best orthopedic hospitals. Thousands of individuals have benefited from his expertise in overcoming spinal disorders and regaining full function.
Address: 761 Merrick Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590.
2. New York-Presbyterian Hospital
New York-Presbyterian Hospital is one of the largest hospitals in the United States. And is affiliated with two top-ranked medical schools - Columbia University Vagelos, College of Physicians & Surgeons, and Weill Cornell Medicine.
The hospital's mission is to provide innovative healthcare services that extend from its neighborhood communities to around the globe. Patients seek NYP's expertise in cardiology, neurology, oncology, orthopedics, and other specialties.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Steven J. Corwin M.D. got his undergraduate and medical degrees from Northwestern University, summa cum laude. He completed his internal medicine and cardiology training at Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center and was named to the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons faculty in 1986.
He is the current Chief Executive Officer of New York-Presbyterian Hospital. In 1991, he joined the Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center management team and worked in a variety of managerial positions. He served as Senior Vice President and Chief Medical Officer at New York-Presbyterian Hospital from 1998 until 2005.
As President and CEO, Dr. Corwin has pioneered programs such as NYP OnDemand, a package of digital health services that expands access to New York-professional Presbyterian care, and the implementation of a single, integrated electronic medical record across the NYP organization.
Address: 5141, Broadway, New York, NY, 10034.
3. Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care
The Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care provides state-of-the-art integrated care. Its physicians and staff have expertise in diagnosing, treating, rehabilitation, and researching back pain and all types of spine-related conditions such as neck or back pain, herniated disc, spinal tumors, and sports injuries.
Patients are offered expert diagnoses with comprehensive treatment plans that incorporate surgical options with physical therapy, pain management, and rehabilitation medicine. The company also participates in basic and clinical research to advance knowledge about the causes of degenerative diseases like osteoarthritis or scoliosis.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Shakil Ahmed, M.D. is the Director of the Tri-Institutional Pain Fellowship Program and the Medical Director of the Division of Pain Medicine in the Department of Anesthesiology. After graduating from Columbia Presbyterian Hospital's anesthesia residency program, he received his MBBS from Khyber Medical College in Peshawar, Pakistan.
He completed his surgical training in the UK, where he was awarded the Fellowship of Royal College of Physicians & Surgeons and has earned the Board Certification in Anesthesiology from the American Board of Anesthesiology. He joined the New York Weill Cornell Center's Anesthesiology Department in 2002.
Dr. Shakil Ahmed, M.D specializes in diagnostic and therapeutic spinal injections and percutaneous discectomy, vertebroplasty, cryotherapy, intrathecal pump implantation, and pulsed and thermal radiofrequency neurolysis.
Address: 240 East 59th Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY, 10022.
Learn more about Weill Cornell Medicine Center for Comprehensive Spine Care
4. Gerling Institute
The Gerling Institute specializes in providing comprehensive care for spinal disorders. The hospital provides comprehensive care for spinal problems from neck to lower back, utilizing the most up-to-date state-of-the-art medical technology available from diagnosis to surgical care.
Gerling Institute offers a wide range of treatment options, from conservative treatments like epidural injections or low-level laser therapy to more advanced procedures such as specialized surgery. The spine institute thrives on the goal of helping its patients feel better every day by getting their spine back into alignment so that living a life without pain or limitation is possible.
About the surgeon
Dr. Michael Gerling obtained his undergraduate degree at Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland. In 2008, he earned his American Board Certification in Orthopedic Spine Surgery, which he renewed in 2018. Dr. Gerling was a pioneer in the field of totally endoscopic spinal decompression, discectomies, and endoscopic fusions in the United States. Dr. Gerling has perfected this groundbreaking method over the years and performs hundreds of endoscopic spinal procedures each year.
Gerling is also president of the Federation of Spine Associations (FOSA), past president of the Brooklyn Orthopedic Society, Chairman of Education and Board member of the Cervical Spine Research Society (CSRS), and member of numerous academic committees for the American Academy of Orthopedics, CSRS and the Lumbar Spine Research Society (LSRS).
Address: 740 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10021.
5. New York City Spine, PLLC
New York City Spine Surgery, PLLC is an orthopedic spine surgery group specializing in minimally invasive spinal procedures in New York City. As one of New York’s top spine institutes, their goal is to help patients get on with their life as quickly and comfortably as possible.
New York City Spine Surgery, PLLC, provides a comprehensive evaluation of a patient’s spine condition and a treatment plan tailored to their individual needs and lifestyle. The hospital tries its best to treat many spine disorders without surgery.
However, if surgical intervention ever becomes necessary, its team will deliver the most advanced and minimally invasive treatment options that are available today, including laser spine surgery, spinal lumbar fusion, herniated disc surgery, sciatica treatment, and surgery for spinal stenosis.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Daveed Frazier is a board-certified orthopedic spine surgeon with a Harvard education. He was a professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons and SUNY Downstate in New York. Dr. Frazier is also a well-known presenter, renowned researcher, and published author on spine problems and treatments and a consultant for a number of international spine companies.
He attended Harvard Medical School after finishing his undergraduate degree at Brown University, where he graduated with honors. Before becoming chief resident at Massachusetts General Hospital, he completed a Harvard internship at the New England Deaconess Hospital in Boston, MA, followed by a Harvard combined residency.
Address: 343 W 58th Street, New York City, NY 10019
6. Spine Associates
Spine Associates is a comprehensive outpatient facility that provides diagnosis and treatment of spinal disorders, including lumbar (back) and cervical (neck) injuries. Spine Associates offers conservative treatment alternatives if appropriate before suggesting surgery for the spine. The hospital exhausts all options for non-surgical treatments before resorting to surgery.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Sean McCance M.D. received his B.S. in 1987 from Fordham University and his M.D. in 1991 from Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. In 1992, He completed an internship in general surgery at the Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York, and a residency at the University of Rochester Medical Center in 1996. He completed a fellowship in spine surgery at the Twin Cities Spine Center in Minneapolis in 1997.
For 15 years, Dr. Sean McCance has directed Spine Associates, one of the leading spine surgery practices in New York City. His peers have recognized him as one of the most accomplished surgeons in the field. Dr. McCance also serves as Co-Director of Spine Surgery at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City and is an attending spine surgeon at Lenox Hill Hospital.
Address: 1155 Park Ave, Suite E, New York, NY 10128
7. Comprehensive Orthopedic & Spine Care
Comprehensive Orthopedic and Spine Care, has the experience, expertise, and resources to provide their patient with the most advanced treatment available. Their orthopedic surgeons are highly experienced and board-certified in their field.
They coordinate your care with colleagues across departments –including pain management, sports medicine, physical therapy, neurosurgery. The experienced spine surgery staff at Comprehensive Orthopedics & Spine Care provides a wide range of customized treatments to meet their patients unique needs.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Joseph Weinstein D.O. completed his residency at the North Shore/LIJ Health System, where he was also the academic chief resident. Dr. Weinstein received additional sub-specialized spine and scoliosis surgery training at New York City's world-renowned Hospital for Special Surgery. He taught at the Weill Cornell Medical School during his time there.
He has conducted orthopedic trauma and spine surgery research. He has presented his findings in regional, national, and worldwide academic meetings such as the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, and Israel Spine Society.
Address: 1150 Park Avenue, New York, NY 10128
8. University Spine Center
University Spine Center is a leading institution for the treatment of spine disorders and related trauma. They treat degenerative disc disease, kyphosis, herniated discs/ruptured discs, bulging discs, thinning discs, lumbar spinal stenosis, myelopathy (pain in the sciatic nerve), sciatica (pain in the sciatic nerve), and scoliosis. They’re committed to providing their patient with a personalized experience that exceeds their expectations.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Arash Emami got his undergraduate degree from the University of Chicago, Pritzker School of Medicine, his internship at General and Orthopedic Surgery, University of Chicago, and fellowship in Orthopedic and Spinal surgery at the University of California at San Francisco. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and a member of prestigious associations like the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, North American Spine Society, Scoliosis Research Society, Society of Lateral Spine Surgery, Society of Minimally Invasive Surgery, New Jersey Orthopedic Society, New Jersey Spine Surgery Society.
He is currently the director of spine surgery at St. Joseph's University Medical Center, a clinical professor at Seton Hall University, and the Chairman of orthopedics at St. Joseph's University Medical Center, Paterson, NJ. He has received numerous awards, including America's Top Spine Surgeons, New York/New Jersey Top Doctors, and NJ Favorite Kids' Doctor, to name a few.
Address: 95 University Place, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10003
9. New York Spine Specialists
The New York Spine Specialist group are specialists in the interventional treatment of common and complex problems related to the spine. Their team comprises talented surgeons who bring years of experience with them in dealing with these complicated cases.
Medical diagnoses such as radiculopathy (nerve root compression), myelopathy (compression on the spinal cord), etc., can be debilitating for patients but their skilled hands know exactly how to help relieve your spine problems.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Sebastian Lattuga, MD FAAOS completed his Orthopaedic Surgery Residency at Stony Brook School of Medicine and a General Surgery Internship at Mount Sinai Medical Center and an Adult and Pediatric Spine Surgical Fellowship/Pain Management at the University of Miami's Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
Dr. Lattuga is regarded as a specialist in the surgical and non-surgical management of traumatic and degenerative disorders affecting the spine, such as herniated discs, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, fractures, and various other conditions. He’s a fellowship-trained and board-certified spine surgeon whose practice is dedicated only to caring and treating individuals suffering from spinal problems.
Address: 150 EAST 58TH Street, 9TH Floor, Annex Building, New York, NY 10155
10. New York Orthopaedic Spinal Associates
New York Orthopedic Spinal Associates is a group of doctors and surgeons in New York City who specialize in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders that affect bones, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. They have a mission to provide personalized high-quality spine care for all age groups.
New York Orthopedic Spinal Associates is proud to be one of the leading practices in the tri-state area with a team dedicated to your individual needs. They offer comprehensive rehabilitation for spinal conditions and routine orthopedics procedures such as total knee replacements or other joint replacements.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Ira Chernoff graduated Summa Cum Laude from Long Island University- C.W. Post with a BS degree. He graduated from the State University of New York at Downstate with a doctorate in medicine. In 1987, he finished his orthopedic surgery residency at SUNY Stony Brook, where he also served as a head resident. He moved on to the Hospital for Special Surgery to complete his Spine residency.
Dr. Chernoff is a Fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery and is Board Certified in Orthopaedic Surgery. He is affiliated with several hospitals in Manhattan and Long Island, including Lenox Hill Hospital, Winthrop University Hospital, Mather Hospital, St. Charles Hospital and Rehabilitation, Saint Catherine's Hospital, and Northwell / Huntington Hospital. He has performed complex spine surgery in Long Island for over 27 years.
Address: 380 N. Broadway – Suite 307, Jericho, NY 11753
11. SpineCare of NY
SpineCare of NY is a leading provider of innovative, and individualized spine care. Their surgical and non-surgical treatment options are designed to ensure the best outcomes for
patients with general, cervical thoracic, or lumbar spine conditions.
About the Surgeon
Dr. Frank Cammisa graduated from Tufts University, the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University. He had his residency at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center and Orthopedic Surgery Residency at the Hospital for Special Surgery. His fellowship was at the University of Miami, Jackson Memorial Medical Center.
His awards include Harvard Book Prize, Harvard Club of Southern Connecticut, Phi Beta Kappa, Delta of Massachusetts, Summa Cum Laude, Departments of Biology and Psychology, Tufts University (1978), Tufts Psychology Society Research Award, Tufts University, Psi Chi National Honor Society for Psychology, Tufts University, Alpha Omega Alpha National Honor Medical Society, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, Resident Award Paper, The New York Academy of Medicine, Section of Orthopaedic Surgery, to mention a few.
Address: 523 East 72nd Street, 3rd Floor, New York, NY 10021
What to consider when selecting the best spine institutes in New York
Before going ahead to select a spine institute in New York, there are a few things you need to look out for.
1. How experienced are the surgeons in the spine institute?
Before choosing a spine institute in New York, it is important to know if their surgeons are experienced. In the world of spine surgery, experience matters. And while many newly qualified surgeons can carry out spine surgeries, an experienced surgeon will make you feel safer.
To avoid or minimize complications during a high-risk surgery, it's always safer to choose a surgeon with lots of experience. To know if a surgeon is experienced, the surgeon must have carried out a spine procedure for five years or performed the procedure a minimum of 30 times, and it must have resulted in:
- Little to no surgical complications
- Faster recovery time
When choosing a spine institute, be sure to ask how many surgeries they've done and their complication and success rate.
2. Are the surgeons board-certified?
Another thing to check for when selecting a spine institute in new york is if the surgeons in the institute are board-certified.
For a surgeon to be board-certified, they must meet certain criteria. These criteria include:
- Must have completed five years of residency training
- Must have met all the ABS requirements
- Must have completed all American Board of Surgery's intensive and rigorous examinations
Even though getting board-certified is a choice, many surgeons choose to do it to prove that they understand the latest developments in their specialty.
Board certifications require surgeons to attend training and take assessments beyond what is required from their peers.
While board certification is not a legal requirement to practice, it is important that you choose board-certified surgeons because it shows that they've gone the extra mile.
3. What is the surgeon's specialty?
When choosing a spine institute in New York, the specialty of their surgeons is important. Spinal surgery entails a variety of operations, ranging from spinal fusions to treating herniated discs and other types of spine disorders and anomalies.
You need to ask yourself the following questions:
- Does the spine institute offer treatment for your specific problems?
- Do they have a specialized surgeon who can handle your specific problems?
- Has your exact procedure been performed in the past?
The answers to these questions will let you know if you should go ahead with the spine institute. For example, if you're suffering from disc herniation, you'll need a surgeon who specializes in treating herniated and bulging discs using minimally invasive surgical procedures.
4. Are you comfortable in the spine institute and with the surgeon?
How comfortable are you when you walk into a spine institute? Does the institute welcome you and make you feel safe, or are you ignored and left on your terms?
When looking for a spine institute in New York, it is important to make sure you feel comfortable in the environment and with the surgeon. The more comfortable you feel, the easier it becomes for you to ask various questions and open up about the various problems that you're facing.
5. What type of reviews does the Institute have?
It’s important to check the reviews of an institute before selecting them. According to research, 74.6% of people look for additional information on surgeons and other medical practitioners before using their services. Getting an authentic review about a spine institute in New York requires you to dig deeper than a simple Google search. Sites like Reddit and Quora provide you with genuine and authentic reviews that you can always check out.
If an institute has a lot of negative reviews, you should do your best to stay away. And if you're wondering what a patient review/testimonial looks like, take a look here;
6. How invasive is the procedure performed at the institute?
Deciding on which spine institute or center to choose is a big deal. And one important component you need to consider is how invasive their procedures are. Because the less invasive a procedure is, the less it hurts afterward.
While many surgeons in various spine institutes perform minimally invasive procedures, some surgeons have more experience and are more skilled than others. An example of this is Deuk laser Disc Repair which Dr. Ara Deukmedjian developed. This endoscopic surgery has a higher success rate than all other laser surgeries and traditional fusions (which is why Deuk Spine Institute is the world leader in laser spine surgery).
If the procedures offered at a spine institute are invasive, you should seek a second opinion. Certain spine institutes will suggest invasive procedures because they're more expensive, which means they'll get paid more money.
Consultations
Spine surgery can be overwhelming, and consultations give you the chance to ask all the necessary questions regarding your problem and treatment options. Consultations are important because it gives you a chance to be well informed.
Many surgeons are overly reliant on MRI scans which doesn't always tell the full story and sometimes prevent patients from getting optimal care. If you're going to choose a spine institute, you have to ensure that their surgeons are not overly reliant on MRI scans. Ensure they offer you a consultation.
During your consultation in a spine institute in New York, you should expect the following:
- A detailed review of your medical history.
- A detailed physical examination.
- An explanation of the operation and expectations.
- Discussion on the next steps.
Also, you should ask the following questions during the consultation:
- What is the procedure, and why is it recommended for your condition?
- What are the possible alternatives to consider?
- Are there any benefits to the procedure?
- Are there any risks to watch out for?
- Exactly how long is the recovery period?
Getting a second opinion
To make an informed decision regarding the best treatment for your condition, it's important to get a second opinion. A second opinion gives you the chance to assess the risks and benefits of surgery against all other alternatives.
Patient-oriented Care
If you’re suffering from chronic back and neck pain, and would like to receive patient-oriented care from world-class physicians, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at Deuk Spine Institute today.
We also offer free consultation on your MRI scan. Visit our site here to start your treatment.
