Spine Institute Of North America's Online Review Report Card

Dr Yanni and all of his staff are the best!

Dr. Yanni is the best. just got a procedure done 2 weeks ago and already have complete relief. He explains the procedure and shows you what he will be doing. Dr. Yanni is so kind and always makes me feel like family. wouldn't go anywhere else.

I am 78 and had my second RFA on my sacrum and L-4,L-5. The procedure went well with minimum bruising. I have very little discomfort the following morning. Everything is done at his facility. He even takes Medicare. This is a great option for people not wanting to do a surgery.

I was a patient with this practice for two years. During that time, I never once asked for an increase in the prescribed medications I’ve been taking for several years. I never failed a urine test, because I’ve never taken anything not prescribed to me nor have I ever used drugs. I was however repeatedly pressured to trial a Spinal Cord Stimulator, which I repeatedly declined for several reasons…from the fact that neurosurgeons advised me against this, as I have too much scar tissue and when these fail, which they seem to do much more than reported, -the leads are left in place, unless the pain and/or deficits are unbearable, at which point it is a neurosurgeon who must dissect them from your spinal canal…to speaking with many patients who had SCS, some who had more than one placed, and all told me not to do it, or I would absolutely risk being worse off than I started. Not that anyone can afford being worse off than they started, -I have a terminally ill husband and an elderly aunt whom I do for what I can to care for, but no one who can continually care for me, so I could not risk being any worse off than I already am. There are days I barely get through. Any additional pain or loss of function would destroy what’s left of my independence. Also, SCS’s are a MASSIVE cash cow, so I do question why a patient such as myself would be pressured into undergoing any additional risks with the extensive scar tissue already present in my spine and given my family situation?? The financial incentives to the practice are not lost on me, as I was subsequently ‘discharged,’ from this practice, despite being 100% medication compliant, after repeatedly refusing to allow them to profit by playing digdug in my back. I think this is disgraceful and an obvious result of not helping them reap massive profits from my care by allowing a procedure I don’t feel is worth the risk. So much for a patient’s right to self-determination! I would advise anyone to get a second opinion from an actual neurosurgeon prior to allowing this practice (or any other,) to participate in a cash grab by inserting something into your body without fully understanding all the risks. If they could guarantee me not reduced pain, but just that I would not be any worse off, -then I may have jumped on it, but they (obviously,) could not guarantee me that I would be no worse off. If they genuinely cared for their patients then they should respect a patient’s right to refuse a costly and risky procedure, without dropping them from their practice. Unfortunately, medication managed does not pay as well as SCS reimbursement does. Keep that in mind when you’re recommended a SCS, as most people will be like it’s some sort of magic cure all. Talk to those who’ve had them AND those who’ve had them removed before deciding.

Very caring people

If I could give Dr Yanni all of the stars in the sky, I would. Dr and staff are beyond helpful, compassionate…they listen and kindly consider and help heal.

I suffered from neck pain for over two years. I went to a few doctors and through several months of physical therapy which didn't help much. I made an appointment with Dr. Yanni who was recommended to to me by a relative. He was very professional and took the time to answer all my questions. He recommended a nerve ablation and fully explained the procedure to me. A few months later I had a steroid injection and I've been pain free for over two months now. I highly recommend Dr. Yanni.

I have been seeing Dr. Yanni for roughly 10 years now. When I first went, I was in terrible pain, and none of the other doctors I went to seemed to know what my problem was or how to treat it. Dr. Yanni was the only one who diagnosed the problem and knew how to treat it. He is very kind and considerate of his patients. I would highly recommend anyone experiencing pain to go see Dr. Yanni. You will not be disappointed!

The first visit I went to he brushed his hand up against my breast and I thought, “that was weird,” but I attributed it to just being an accident. Then I went for a follow up again and he brushed his hand up against my breast again while “comforting” me when I started crying while talking about my pain level. Then I went for cortisone injections in my neck and when I sat up from the table I became very dizzy. He brushed his hand against my breast for the third time and I thought, “no way this is an accident. He is definitely doing this intentionally.” If you’re a young woman, I would be weary about going to him because I did feel targeted by him for being young and attractive. You may think you were being slick Dr. Yanni and I didn’t notice, but I’m not fooled by your title and your Porsche.

Dr. Yanni is the best. I had bad pain in my knee and neck. No more. He and his staff are simply wonderful.