T E C H N O L O G Y / / N AT U R E / / E X P E R I E N C E / / R E S U LT S
OUR PROMISE For well over a decade we have been treating patients at our four Gulfcoast Spine Institute locations. The BioSpine Institute is an extension of Gulfcoast Spine and the realization of our dream to provide a state-of-the-art surgical experience. Whether you are seen as a patient at Gulfcoast Spine or the BioSpine Institute, you will receive the highest level of care in the industry…that is our promise.
DR. FRANK S. BONO + DR. JAMES J. RONZO
Our
BACK STORY In the last few years, minimally invasive has become “the story” in back surgery. It’s been our story from the very beginning… Quite simply, our story is in results of our patients. The experience, skill, and the relentless passion for perfection is what drives our two founders, Dr. Frank Bono and Dr. James Ronzo. Gulfcoast Spine and the BioSpine Institute have helped ease the back pain of over 30,000 patients. The BioSpine Institute is an extension of Gulfcoast Spine, promoting the very latest breakthroughs in minimally invasive technology. They also emphasize more natural strategies that encourage the body’s own miraculous natural healing response. The central focus of both the Gulfcoast Spine and the BioSpine Institute is an
2 // BIOSPINE INSTITUTE // GULFCOAST SPINE INSTITUTE
unrelenting commitment to improve patients’ lives and restore them to an active lifestyle. The process begins with an extensive & thorough interview where we listen carefully and address all of the patient’s concerns, followed by a detailed physical exam—combined with the use of studies (MRI, CT-scan, X-rays, etc). Next, we create an individualized care plan built around obtaining the best possible results for the patient. The plan will be monitored and implemented by our nationally-renowned minimally invasive spine surgeons, Dr. Frank Bono and Dr. James Ronzo. Few can match their extensive experience or their superior standard of care.
THE LATEST BREAKTHROUGHS IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNOLOGY ENCOURAGE THE BODY’S NATURAL HEALING RESPONSE.
TAKEYOURBACKBACK.COM // 3
T E C H N O L O G Y / / N AT U R E / / E X P E R I E N C E / / R E S U LT S
These guys have
GOT YOUR BACK Dr. Frank Bono and Dr. James Ronzo have devoted their entire professional lives to performing minimally invasive spine surgery and are recognized by Consumer Reports, Newsweek, and ProPublica as being among the very best in the nation. FRANK S. BONO, D.O. is a highly skilled and much sought after orthopedic surgeon who specializes in disorders of the spine. Attending the University of Central Florida and Nova Southeastern University in Fort Lauderdale where he earned his degree in Osteopathic Medicine. He performed both his internship and residency at Botsford General Hospital in Farmington Hills, Michigan and completed a neurosurgical and orthopedic surgery fellowship in the Department of Spinal Surgery at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
JAMES J. RONZO, D.O. is nationally recognized as a leader in minimally invasive spine surgery and regularly shares his expertise in the operating room with visiting spine surgeons from around the country. A graduate of the University of Central Florida and Nova Southeastern University College of Osteopathic Medicine in Miami where he received his medical degree. He spent five years in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where he fulfilled his orthopaedic surgery residency and internship. Followed by the completion of his orthopedic surgery fellowship at Tampa General Hospital.
• Board certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon specializing in disorders of the spine
• Board-certified and fellowship-trained in orthopedics
• Winner of multiple research awards from the American College of Osteopathic Surgeons and the Michigan Osteopathic Association • Published author and speaker on spinal reconstruction
4 // BIOSPINE INSTITUTE // GULFCOAST SPINE INSTITUTE
• Teaches minimally invasive techniques to visiting spine surgeons from around the country • Mentor to spine and neuro surgeons in the art of minimal access spine techniques in spinal fusions • National and international lecturer on bone morphogenetic protein and minimally invasive spine fusions
DR. FRANK BONO and DR. JAMES RONZO Board Certified // Fellowship Trained
TAKEYOURBACKBACK.COM // 5
T E C H N O L O G Y / / N AT U R E / / E X P E R I E N C E / / R E S U LT S
You ask. We answer.
BACK AND F0RTH Minimally invasive back surgery seems almost too good to be true so naturally, people have a lot of questions about it. Q: How do I know if I need surgery? A: In most cases surgery is not needed and is always the last option. Many of our patients have led wonderful lives after treatment with conservative care. We feel the most important aspect is in the correct diagnosis, patient education, and the review of options. The advancements that have been made in the past decade in spine care are remarkable. With all of our patients—the final decision is theirs. ________ Q: If minimally invasive back surgery is so good, why don’t more surgeons do it? A: Minimally invasive surgery has been around awhile—most are familiar with its ortho applications for knee surgery—but its use for treating spinal injuries and abnormalities is relatively new. The techniques are so specialized and require such extensive training, many traditional spine surgeons are hesitant to interrupt their practices to devote the time and focus such training demands. ________ Q: What makes Dr. Bono and Dr. Ronzo my best choice? A: Dr. James Ronzo and Dr. Frank Bono have been on the forefront of minimally invasive spine
6 // BIOSPINE INSTITUTE // GULFCOAST SPINE INSTITUTE
surgery for the past decade and even train other surgeons in their technique. More importantly, unlike general surgeons or traditional back surgeons, minimally invasive is all we do. Other physicians simply don’t practice enough—with the required technology, the highly specialized techniques or even the equipment—to have developed their skills to the level of Drs. Ronzo and Bono. Experience matters. ________
Q: Will it work for my back problem? A: Every patient and every condition is different. Only after a thorough examination and overall evaluation would it be possible to answer that question. That being said, Dr. Bono and Dr. Ronzo are “true” leaders in spine surgery. Just ask Consumer Reports. Far superior results with fewer complications than almost any other minimally invasive surgeons in the field. ________ Q: Why is minimally invasive spine surgery a better option? A: When minimally invasive is an applicable option, the advantages are significant. The technique, as practiced by Drs Ronzo and Bono, involves tiny incisions—about the diameter of a penny. Muscles are gently moved aside, not cut, to gain access to the trouble spots. This
keeps complication rates low—and BioSpine’s are way below the national average. In a nutshell: Faster healing. Fewer complications. Better results. ________
Q: Will my insurance cover it? A: We work closely and accept the majority of insurances—including Medicare. Our dedicated team of insurance specialists will answer your questions and assist you through the process. ________ Q: What are some of the conditions minimally invasive surgery treats? A: Bulging (herniated) discs, spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal cord canal), spinal deformities, vertebral fractures, spinal stabilization and spinal tumors are some of the more common indications. ________ Q: Back surgery scares me. Should I be nervous?
view and correct the problems they find. What separates skilled surgeons from the rest are how adept they are at accessing trouble areas without cutting muscle fibers, the repairs they are able to make and their success rates. The results and low complication rates for Drs. Ronzo and Bono place them among the top surgeons in the nation. ________
Q: Will there be a lot of pain? A: “No” is the simple answer. The reasons are the tiny incisions and the techniques our doctors employ to move around muscles without cutting. While we do prescribe pain relief medications, many have no need for them and take them only for a short time. Often, our patients are up and moving within hours of their surgery virtually pain-free. ________ Q: How do I know I’m choosing the right surgeon?
A: All back surgery is serious but we have found that our patients benefit almost immediately from talking with our doctors. Just one appointment and their fears are lessened considerably after learning about minimally invasive surgery and exactly what procedures are recommended in their case. Often, we hear how surprised patients are that it really was so easy and practically painless. Also common, patients tell us they wish they’d come to us sooner—many of them years sooner. ________
A: Look for these indicators: • Board Certification by a surgical board such as ABMS, AOABOS, or ABPS. • Fellowship Trained—Fellows are board-certified surgeons who have completed an additional year of specific training in their specialty. • High surgical volume—Ask your surgeon how many of your type of operation they have performed in the past year. • Choose a surgeon with extensive experience and not one that is new to the specialty. The art of minimally invasive surgery is not taught. It must be learned and perfected over time. ________
Q: What exactly is minimally invasive back surgery?
Q: Why does your practice only have two surgeons?
A: Small incisions (about ¾-inch long) are made to give surgeons access to the back’s trouble areas—discs, nerves, vertebra etc. Specialized instruments are used that allow surgeons to both
A: Quite simply, we refuse to compromise our high level of care with an “ever-revolving turnstile” of surgeons whose level of care is not consistent with our own.
TAKEYOURBACKBACK.COM // 7
T E C H N O L O G Y / / N AT U R E / / E X P E R I E N C E / / R E S U LT S
Our numbers
BACK IT UP Results are arguably the most important “numbers” and Drs. Bono and Ronzo have some of the best numbers in the country for successful minimally invasive spine surgery. Both doctors form a formidable team that has been able to bring relief from back pain and debility to over 30,000 patients. They’re responsible for over 12,400 procedures between just the two of them. And, in an era of aggressive marketing tactics and “optimistic” statistics, those are true numbers. In comparison, other clinics may tout longer practices, more patients and ultimately higher numbers. But dig deeper and you’ll discover they’re counting results spread across multiple locations and more significantly, contributions from a continually revolving turnstile of physicians. BioSpine is Dr. Bono and Dr. Ronzo. And the results attributed to GulfCoast Spine and the BioSpine Institute are 100% theirs. The graphic on the following page illustrates a few more statistics that only add to the overwhelming conclusion that for experience and successful outcomes, Drs. Bono and Ronzo are well-deserving of their national reputation for excellence. One reason among many is that 100% of their practice involves the spine. Spine surgery
is not simply one more choice on a long menu of surgical “specialties.” Its all they do. Here’s another number. Most—95%— patients go home the same day or the next. An important statistic for patients concerned about time away from home or a job. Here’s a tiny number—the actual size of most incisions will measure ¾ of an inch. That’s the width of a penny and really helps put “minimally invasive” in perspective. As they say, the best advertising is always “word of mouth” and that is certainly true for our practice. With 92% of our patients coming by direct physician referral or word of mouth from satisfied patients—this may be one of the numbers we are most proud of. Back surgery is major surgery, whether it is minimally invasive or not. As such, it should never be something considered impulsively or as a result of any advertising or magazine article. Do your research, talk to as many people as you can about their own experiences. Finally, come in and speak with us. We think you’ll like what you hear.
September 2013 issue
8 // BIOSPINE INSTITUTE // GULFCOAST SPINE INSTITUTE
2012
James Ronzo, D.O. and Frank Bono, D.O.
In Recognition of Valuble Contributions to Excellence in Clinical Care were recipients of the HealthGrades Spine Surgery Excellence Award™ 4 years in a row Ranked #1 in Florida for Spine Surgery
LEADERS IN SHOWCASE
SPINE SURGERY
TWO NATIONALLY RENOWN HIGHLY-SKILLED SURGEONS.
MORE THAN 12,432 SURGERIES & PROCEDURES PERFORMED.
95% OF PATIENTS GO HOME THE SAME OR THE VERY NEXT DAY.
OUR INFECTION RATE IS LESS THAN 1%—ONE OF THE LOWEST IN THE NATION…JUST ASK CONSUMER REPORTS.
THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH IS THE ACTUAL SIZE OF OUR INCISION.
2 30,000 12,432 100% 95% 10% 1% 92%
MORE THAN 30,000 PATIENTS TREATED BY DR. RONZO & DR. BONO IN THE PAST 12 YEARS.
100% OF OUR PRACTICE IS DEVOTED TO DISORDERS OF THE SPINE.
LESS THAN 10% OF SPINE SURGEONS PERFORM “TRUE” MINIMALLY INVASIVE SURGERY.
92% OF OUR BUSINESS IS REFERRED B Y A PHYSICIAN OR WORD-OF-MOUTH.
TAKEYOURBACKBACK.COM // 9
T E C H N O L O G Y / / N AT U R E / / E X P E R I E N C E / / R E S U LT S
Real stories
BACK TALK Treating over 30,000 patients says a lot about our hands-on expertise. But sometimes it’s better to hear what our patients have to say in their own words
But the philosophy behind Gulfcoast Spine and the BioSpine Institute is patientcentered care. The goal is to give patients their lives back. To eliminate their pain. Increase their mobility. To return them to a time when they didn’t have to bend their lives around a bad back.
Many who come to us for the first time are understandably nervous and even frightened at the prospect of needing back surgery. Like Teresa who came to BioSpine after a car wreck. Her symptoms were scarier than the thought of surgery. “I started getting bad headaches. Two days later my hands started tingling. When I lost the use of my hands altogether I was terrified. I remember on the day of my surgery Dr. Bono came in. He was so confident he really put me at ease. Thanks to him, I have my hands back. No more headaches.”
Like Dr. John B., who is a doctor himself and who knew enough about back problems and the advantages of minimally invasive surgery that, when his back went out, he knew whom to call. “I felt a pop. Right away, I knew I’d done something major to my back. I knew I needed surgical intervention, or I’d be in a wheelchair the rest of my life. Thanks to BioSpine, my legs don’t buckle anymore and even more important—I can hold my grandson in my arms.”
Results are the reason Dr. Ronzo and Dr. Bono do what they do. And when they hear it in the words from their patients like—“I can’t believe what Dr. Bono did for me.”…“Now I’m back 100% doing what I want to do. My life is back to where it was in the very beginning.”…“I’ve had no pain for two years now. My new name for Dr. Ronzo is Dr. Feel Good.”…those are truly all the feedback they need to know that they’re doing a good job.
Drs. Ronzo and Bono have admittedly, very impressive stats. Over 30,000 patients in only a dozen years. A 100% focus on the specific field of minimally invasive spine surgery. A top ranking among surgeons nationwide for fewest complications.
10 // BIOSPINE INSTITUTE // GULFCOAST SPINE INSTITUTE
“I’m a doctor and I could have chosen any spine surgeon in the country!” — DR. ADEL BISHAY
TAKEYOURBACKBACK.COM // 11