At ESINY, we make use of innovative endoscopic technology to deliver spine surgery with precise control and minimal disruption to the tissue around your spine. This forward thinking approach is tailored to support quicker healing, strengthen your body, and help you return to the quality of life you deserve.
Finally, The Relief You've Been Waiting For.
Endoscopic spine treatment is reshaping the future of spinal care by offering a more refined, patient centred alternative to traditional surgery and helping people return to their routines with greater ease. At the Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York, our purpose is to reimagine how spine surgery is experienced by making each stage safer, less invasive, quicker to recover from, and more empowering for every patient who comes to us seeking answers and solutions. Our highly regarded team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons stands among the recognized leaders in endoscopic spine surgery, and as the only dedicated Endoscopic Spine Institute in the United States, we are steadfast in our commitment to supporting you as you work toward reclaiming the life, activities, and freedom that matter most to you.
Employing an incision that is commonly under one centimetre in size and a small camera no larger than a pencil eraser, our specialists draw on the most advanced endoscopic techniques available to deliver treatment with outstanding precision, superior visualization, and minimal disruption to the muscles, ligaments, and delicate structures that surround and protect your spine.
Your Precise, Powerful Solution From The Spine Experts
Your spine deserves treatment guided by experts whose careers reflect exceptional achievement at every level. At the Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York, our award winning, internationally recognized neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons bring decades of in depth experience in endoscopic spine procedures and advanced spinal care. As a group, they have shared their expertise at more than 500 major professional meetings, including the North American Spine Society and the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery, and have produced over 300 peer reviewed publications in respected medical journals, while earning honors such as being named Honorary Members of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons. Through this blend of scholarship, professional prestige, and seasoned clinical skill, your treatment is guided by precision medicine delivered at the very highest standard.
Fewer Risks, Faster Recovery
You can expect fewer risks than with open surgery, including reduced bleeding, a tiny incision that often measures less than 1 cm, and a lower incidence of complications that slow healing. These benefits support a recovery that is significantly faster, sometimes by several weeks, compared with traditional open spine procedures.
Go Home the Same Day with Only a Band-Aid
For roughly 95% of patients, going home the same day is the norm, with a rapid return to light activities while wearing only a custom ESINY band aid rather than bulky, layered bandages. There is no need for an overnight hospital stay and no extended period of downtime keeping you from your usual life.
Skip General Anesthesia
Unlike older surgical methods, you remain at ease with light sedation and a local anesthetic. General anesthesia may still be used when the situation calls for it, although most patients discover it is not required for their procedure.
A Solution For Every Stage
Endoscopic spine treatment supports patients no matter where they are in their path toward relief. Whether you have tried injections, undergone prior surgery, or are only now beginning your search for answers, this modern approach has already guided over 30,000 individuals toward meaningful improvement.
The Go-To For Other Spine Doctors
Many spine specialists rely on us when they need treatment for their own spinal concerns. With more than 40 surgeons choosing our team, we have earned the distinction of being the surgeon trusted by other spine surgeons.
What We Treat
Meet Your Team
At ESINY, we are proud to be viewed as a primary leader in endoscopic spine treatment, supported by a highly awarded team whose mission is to address the true source of your pain with meticulous precision. In doing so, our approach is designed to provide relief that lasts longer, lessen the risk of side effects, and help you experience a recovery period that is often significantly quicker than the typical outcomes seen with conventional surgical options or ongoing injection therapies.
What To Expect
During your consultation, our physicians will spend time understanding your symptoms, reviewing your medical background, and discussing which treatments you have already pursued or considered. If we believe that endoscopic spine treatment is appropriate, we will explain the procedure in depth so you know exactly what to expect at every stage of the process.
Endoscopic spine treatment is recognized as a very minimally invasive surgical approach that still uses a small incision, which is why patients often experience faster recovery times, fewer complications, and fewer side effects than those who undergo traditional spine surgery. In the majority of cases, only a local anesthetic is necessary, and patients are able to return home the same day.
Following your procedure, your ESINY doctor will personally follow up with you during the week to ensure your recovery is on track, provide guidance, and address any questions or concerns that you may have.
Transformative Spine Care From Doctors You Can Trust.
World Class Expertise...
Dr. Konakondla saved Harry's life...helping him when no one else would. We're forever grateful for your world class skill and expertise and I'll never forget the positive energy you extended to me when I felt my world was falling apart. Blessings to you always.
Harry and JoAnn Burger
Harry and JoAnn Burger
New York is so Fortunate!
Dr. Telfeian was a Godsend to my husband...and many of our friends that we sent to him. My husband had immediate results in his back from Dr. Telfeian. His expertise and bedside manner are second to none. New York you are so fortunate to have him!
Donna Paolino
Donna Paolino
Less Pain and Faster Recovery
Dr. Albert Telfeian is a world-renowned neurosurgeon with extensive experience in endoscopic spine surgery. I’m so impressed with the comprehensive care I received at Dr. Telfeian’s practice. He was very transparent and reassuring when explaining the procedure, and I felt comfortable knowing he is an expert in endoscopic spine surgery. The endoscopic approach resulted in significantly less pain and a much faster recovery than anticipated. Not only is he a skilled surgeon, he’s also a compassionate and caring physician. Dr. Telfeian diagnosed my condition accurately, and took the time to thoroughly explain my treatment options in detail. He made me feel completely at ease and most confident in his care. I am extremely grateful for The Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York and the positive outcome.
Tiffany Stripling
Tiffany Stripling
Truly Grateful!
I’m truly grateful to Dr. Shen for the incredible care he provided during my spine surgery. He performed an endoscopic, super minimally invasive procedure that allowed me to walk right away—without pain—and I was even back at work the very next day! From my very first consultation, Dr. Shen and his team made sure I felt comfortable and well-informed about every step of the process. Their genuine compassion and expert guidance eased my worries and made all the difference in my recovery. I’m now on the road to feeling completely healthy again, and I can’t thank him enough for his skill and dedication. If you’re thinking about spine surgery and want someone who combines expertise with a personal touch, I wholeheartedly recommend Dr. Shen. His care changed my life for the better, and I’m so thankful for everything he’s done for me.
Eitan Spiegel
Eitan Spiegel
Endoscopic Spine Surgery is the Way
Dr. Shen is a compassionate doctor who cares about every single patient he sees. He remembered everything about my case without a x ray or paperwork in front of him when I had questions. I successfully got two separate back surgeries this past summer. My pain in my upper back, that plagued me for years, is completely gone where I had cervical stenosis. My fusion on my lower spine is well on its way to healing fully. I vetted four different top surgeons in NYC before choosing Dr. Shen and I’m very happy with my choice. Don’t let old school surgeons tell you that endoscopic is not the way. They are just trying to get patients without learning the new technology. Dr. Shen called me every day after my surgery for about two weeks to see how I was doing and it meant a lot to me.
Audrey Cohen
Audrey Cohen
Endoscopic Spine Surgery
Frequently Asked Questions
Endoscopic spine surgery is recognized as the most minimally invasive spinal surgery approach currently in use. The procedure uses a small camera called an endoscope and finely crafted surgical instruments to treat the spine through an incision that is typically no larger than the width of a pencil. ESINY continues to serve as the only dedicated endoscopic spine institute across the entire United States.
This form of treatment delivers a highly precise and minimally disruptive way to manage spine related pain. Because it is designed to treat the specific problem directly, it usually carries a lower risk of complications, produces fewer side effects, and can offer a faster healing timeline compared with traditional surgery or ongoing injection based therapy. In many cases, patients are stable and comfortable enough to go home later that same day.
Most standard spine surgeries involve a larger incision, significant muscle cutting or retraction, and bone removal so the surgeon can see and reach the problem area, which often leads to more pain and a longer, harder recovery. Hardware like screws and rods is commonly used, and patients may spend several days in the hospital. Endoscopic spine surgery relies on a very small incision, causes far less muscle injury, and allows for a faster overall recovery, with many patients discharged and heading home just a few hours after treatment.
If you have previously relied on spinal injections or other conservative care, you know how beneficial it can be to choose minimally invasive options. Endoscopic spine surgery shares that goal while going beyond simple symptom relief by correcting the underlying source of your pain. By selecting this procedure, you direct treatment precisely to the area causing symptoms, which may offer longer lasting relief and improved function.
Many patients visit our clinic after their injections no longer provide meaningful or lasting improvement. Endoscopic spine surgery offers a refined, minimally disruptive solution that still feels gentle yet more definitive. It combines the conservative nature of injections with the possibility of more permanent results, helping you move with greater ease, lessen discomfort, and return to the routines that matter most.
Yes. Under the guidance of surgeons who perform these procedures regularly, endoscopic spine surgery is known to be extremely safe. Its minimally invasive design helps lower the risk of complications, limit blood loss, and support a much faster recovery.
In general, it is not always required. Many procedures are safely completed using local anesthetic and light sedation, keeping you relaxed while avoiding a full general anesthetic. Your care team will discuss which option is best for your specific situation.
Most patients are able to leave the clinic under their own power later the same day and are encouraged to begin gentle daily activity right away. In cases involving arm or leg pain, improvement may be noticeable nearly right after surgery. When compared with standard spine surgery, the course of recovery is typically much quicker overall.
Endoscopic spine surgery is suitable for a variety of issues, including herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, the presence of bone spurs, and some persistent back pain conditions. With the aid of the endoscope, surgeons can treat these problems directly and precisely while causing less trauma to the surrounding tissues and structures.
Following the procedure, patients typically report low levels of pain, significantly less than the discomfort that often follows more invasive surgery. Many find that they do not require strong pain prescriptions and are comfortable using only mild or over the counter pain relievers during recovery.
The incision is usually under 1 cm, similar in size to the round surface of a pencil eraser. Because it is so small, it heals rapidly, and the final scar is often faint and barely noticeable. The site is closed with medical glue and then covered with a custom ESINY bandage to promote ideal healing conditions.
Endoscopic spine surgery is advancing quickly in specialized centers, but it has not yet become mainstream because it demands advanced training, years of experience, and a substantial case load to perform safely at a high level. Surgeons must be proficient with intricate endoscopic tools and imaging systems that are not commonly found in all spine practices. As a result, only a limited number of specialists currently offer it. At ESINY, we are the only dedicated endoscopic spine institute in America and have assembled four internationally trained endoscopic spine surgeons, allowing our clinic to operate as the highest volume endoscopic spine care facility in the United States.
If you live in Minnesota and have been told that open surgery is your only option or that surgery cannot be safely performed, you may still be a strong candidate for endoscopic spine care. Even if injections, nerve blocks, or previous spine surgeries have failed to relieve your pain, our ESINY team can provide a comprehensive and highly detailed evaluation. Our expert endoscopic spine surgeons and pain management physicians will create a tailored treatment plan that takes into account your specific condition and overall health. Using advanced endoscopic techniques that directly target the painful area while preserving surrounding tissues, we strive to help you experience reduced pain levels and a faster, more comfortable recovery.
In many cases patients experience results that match or outperform those from more invasive approaches, especially when recovery speed and overall comfort are considered. Endoscopic spine surgery at ESINY is delivered with careful planning and precise execution to support safe, effective treatment and a better quality of life.