Back Institute

Hello, my name is Ilya. I am a pulmonary/critical care physician from New York. Here is a description of my experience with pain and Back Institute.
For over two month, following a fall while skiing in Vermont,
I have been developing progressive left lower extremity pain while walking as well as numbness over left buttocks area.
The pain was predominantly in calf and hamstrings areas. Initially, I attributed these symptoms to sciatica due to Piriformis syndrome and opted to treat this conservatively with PT, TENS, massages. Over time the
symptoms got severe with pain 9/10 despite Prednisone and
Oxycodone daily. I could not work, could not rest and, since my symptoms got worse, finally ended up getting an MRI ( wish I had done it sooner) which to my surprise revealed extruded disc and a compression of L5 S1 root.
After a consultation with a Spine fellowship trained Neurosurgeon
I was advised that Laminectomy with Discectomy is my only option should I decide to proceed with surgery. I wanted to a second opinion and spoke with yet another Spine specialist, who after reviewing my MRI,
agreed with his colleague.
Although laminectomy is a standard of care for someone in my situation, I wanted to minimize potential future complications and wanted to see if there is an alternative where no bone or muscle is removed.
That is how I ended up on the site of the Back Institute. I was very skeptical initially, especially considering their website design
is not impressive ( given their claim that what they are offering is one of kind type of procedure in the U.S.)
Nevertheless, I wanted to explore this option. By a complete coincidence, through an independent connection, I ran into an acquaintance, whose employer, a physician, as well, had a microdiscectomy with Dr. Ditsworth about a month earlier.
This physician spoke very highly of his experience and wholeheartedly recommended the Back institute to me.
After a lot of consideration ( after all it is quite expensive), I decided to proceed.
After filling out the inquiry form online I was contacted by Darren who was very thorough in explaining entire procedure including
cost, need of additional CT, hotel and postop follow up.
After arrival to LA, next morning I had CT scans done as was needed for my surgery. The same day I headed to the Back Institute where I met and
was evaluated by Dr. Ditsworth and his team; Subsequently I was brought to the OR suite where a surgery was done.
I woke up in recovery room and shortly thereafter saw Dr. Ditsworth who asked me to take a few steps. I could not believe that immediately after being under conscious sedation and, more importantly, after a surgical procedure, a patient would be asked to do that!
However, what was even more shocking is that I actually was able to walk completely 100% pain free!!.
Additionally, my surgical scar, if you can call it that, was about half an inch!
That same evening I was able to walk to a restaurant ( I was very hungry being NPO preop!) and next day went to the office for a follow up, again pain free. After being miserable for over 2 month, this was nothing short of miracle!
To be objective, I still had numbness and still do even now, a month later, as I write this review, however, the pain is gone and Im able to walk without limping;
Also I think it is worth mentioning that about six month ago, my family and I booked a week long cruise on Caribbean which sadly I was going to cancel due to pain from herniated disc.
However, and fortunately, after surgery with Dr. Ditsworth I was able to go, (although I could not swim nor lift anything heavier than a gallon of milk..).

It had been over a month since my surgery on 1/17/19 and so far I am doing well. I returned to work, still have numbness in my left foot ( my buttocks numbness is gone), remained pain free and plan to get an MRI in about 2-3 month to see what is going on there.

Many thanks to Dr. Ditsworth and his team for getting my life back on track.
Hope my review helps and good luck.

Man N. (Toronto, Canada)
My name is Man Fong. I’m from Toronto, Canada. I had surgery 11 years ago with Dr Ditsworth, when I had a problem with my lower back at L3-4. The surgery was very successful—for 11 years I had no problems. Recently I hurt my back; this time at L5-S1. So I decided to come back. I had a lot of confidence in Dr Ditsworth because last time he was so successful. I had the surgery and again it was very successful. I am able to walk normally. So I would recommend Dr. Ditsworth for anyone who has back problems. The surgery is a life saver. I believe the problem has been solved. During the surgery there was no pain. I was able to walk and go for dinner right after the surgery.

Cyndi N. ( Warrenton, VA)
About six weeks ago,  I hurt my back really bad. Totally blew out a disk and it was very painful. I was in bed for almost four weeks. I tried epidurals, took medication, tried P.T, acupuncture and cupping, everything you can imagine. Since I had worked at the Back Institute with Dr. Ditsworth for three years, I knew this was the only place I was going to go.  Prior to seeing Dr. Ditsworth, I saw two spine surgeons who both recommended discectomy with fusion. However, I knew this was probably totally unnecessary if I had Dr. Ditsworth's procedure. I had the procedure. The same night, after the procedure, I was dining comfortably at a restaurant for the first time in over a month. I have to honestly say that I am almost 100% better and improving rapidly each day. I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Dr. Ditsworth and his procedure to anyone before they choose fusion.

My name is Doug R. from Utah. I came to the Back Institute in Beverly Hills because of the problems with my lower back pain, its been persistent for 15 years. I had every confidence in the protocol and the surgery went very well. Went to dinner right after the surgery and have felt quite well ever since. I have every confidence in the world in the Back Institute.