At ESINY, our spine surgeons rely on the latest endoscopic methods to operate with high precision while sparing as much surrounding tissue and structure as possible. This advanced technique is designed to shorten your recovery time, improve your overall strength, and restore the quality of life you truly deserve.
Finally, The Relief You've Been Waiting For.
Endoscopic spine treatment is revolutionizing the landscape of spinal care and redefining what is possible in modern medical treatment of the spine. At the Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York, our purpose is to reshape every step of the spine surgery experience, making it safer, less invasive, more efficient, and deeply empowering for each patient we care for. Supported by a distinguished team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who are widely regarded as pioneers in endoscopic spine surgery, and as the only dedicated Endoscopic Spine Institute in the United States, we are steadfast in our commitment to help you move back toward the life you have been missing.
Through an incision that is typically smaller than one centimetre and a slender camera about the size of a pencil eraser, our specialists utilize leading-edge endoscopic techniques to deliver care with remarkable precision and minimal impact on healthy structures.
Your Precise, Powerful Solution From The Spine Experts
Your spine treatment deserves guidance from experts whose skills, insight, and experience elevate the standard of care. At the Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York, our award-winning team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons is internationally known for decades of dedicated practice in endoscopic spine procedures. Collectively, they have shared their expertise at more than 500 influential medical conferences, including those hosted by the North American Spine Society and the Society for Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery. Their scientific contributions include over 300 peer-reviewed publications in respected journals and prestigious designations such as becoming Honorary Members of the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons. This powerful combination of scholarly achievement, professional distinction, and extensive clinical experience ensures that your treatment is shaped by the very best that precision medicine has to offer.
Fewer Risks, Faster Recovery
Our endoscopic approach offers fewer risks than open surgery, with minimal bleeding, an incision that is often less than 1 cm, lower complication rates, and a recovery that can be dramatically faster than conventional methods.
Go Home the Same Day with Only a Band-Aid
An impressive 95% of patients leave on the same day of their procedure and get back to gentle daily tasks quickly, protected only by a custom ESINY band-aid rather than thick layers of gauze. You avoid an overnight admission and the drawn-out recovery many people associate with spine surgery.
Skip General Anesthesia
Instead of being fully put to sleep as in many conventional spine procedures, you remain relaxed and at ease with mild sedation and local anesthesia focused only on the treatment area. General anesthesia can still be used in select situations, yet a large number of patients discover that it is not required for them to feel comfortable and secure throughout the procedure.
A Solution For Every Stage
Endoscopic spine treatment adapts to your personal history and current needs, meeting you exactly where you are in the process of seeking relief. Whether you have tried injections, had one or more spine surgeries in the past, or are just starting to research your options, this technique has already improved quality of life for over 30,000 patients.
The Go-To For Other Spine Doctors
Many physicians trust us with their own spine health when they face back or neck problems. With over 40 spine surgeons personally selecting our care, we are recognized as the surgeon other spine surgeons rely on.
What We Treat
Meet Your Team
At ESINY, we take great pride in being regarded as a top leader in the world of endoscopic spine treatment and advanced minimally invasive care. Our accomplished and highly decorated team is committed to delivering treatment that goes far beyond surface symptoms and directly targets the underlying source of your pain with remarkable precision. This method is carefully designed to promote longer lasting comfort, reduce the likelihood of avoidable side effects, and offer a recovery journey that is often significantly quicker compared with conventional surgical procedures or ongoing injection-based therapies.
What To Expect
At your visit, our team will take time to understand your symptoms, your goals, and any difficulties you are facing in daily life. We will carefully review your records and past treatments, and if you qualify for endoscopic care, we will describe the procedure in clear, simple language so you feel fully prepared.
Endoscopic spine treatment is known as the least invasive surgical approach that still requires a small incision to reach the problem area directly. This often means a quicker recovery, fewer side effects than open surgery, and in many cases only a local anesthetic is needed so you can safely return home the same day.
In the days after your treatment, your ESINY doctor will personally reach out to check your recovery, address concerns, and guide your next steps.
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 a modern, highly minimally invasive technique that uses a small endoscope and fine surgical tools to access the spine through a tiny opening about the width of a pencil. ESINY remains the only fully dedicated endoscopic spine institute in the entire United States.
This approach gives patients a focused, tissue-sparing option for managing back and neck pain. Because it works directly on the underlying issue rather than affecting large areas of tissue, it can reduce complications, cause fewer side effects, and frequently leads to faster healing than standard surgery or injection-based care. In many cases, patients are able to leave the facility and go home the very same day.
Standard spine surgery often requires a wide opening in the back, with muscles being pulled aside or cut, nearby tissues disturbed, and bone removed to reach the spine. These operations may include the placement of screws, plates, or rods and are usually tied to longer healing times and more post operative discomfort. By contrast, endoscopic spine surgery is carried out through a tiny incision with much less muscle disruption, which helps patients heal faster and leave the medical facility within hours.
If you have previously received injections for spinal pain, you understand the appeal of treatments that do not require large incisions or long hospital stays. Endoscopic spine surgery follows the same minimally invasive philosophy, but instead of only calming symptoms for a limited time, it aims to address the structural source of the pain itself.
Many people visit our clinic after noticing that injections have become less effective or no longer last as long as they once did. With endoscopic spine surgery, they can choose an option that remains gentle on the body like an injection yet provides a more direct and potentially longer term solution, improving mobility, reducing discomfort, and supporting a fuller, more active lifestyle.
Yes, our program is designed with safety as a top priority at every step. Compared to standard open spine surgery, endoscopic procedures usually involve smaller incisions, less tissue damage, and a lower chance of complications, which supports quicker recovery.
Often, patients can have endoscopic spine surgery with local anesthesia and mild sedation rather than full general anesthesia. Your surgeon will recommend the best approach based on your health, comfort level, and the details of your procedure.
Patients often walk out of the clinic the same day and can start light activities almost immediately. For those experiencing arm or leg pain, relief can be felt soon after surgery. Overall, recovery is usually much faster compared to traditional spine surgery.
Endoscopic surgery is effective for a variety of spine conditions, including herniated discs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and bone spurs. The use of an endoscope enables precise, minimally invasive treatment, expanding the range of conditions that can be treated effectively.
Pain after endoscopic spine surgery is generally minimal, much less than what is common with traditional open surgeries. Most patients find that they only need mild pain relief or over-the-counter options to stay comfortable following the procedure.
The incision is typically smaller than 1 cm, roughly the size of a pencil eraser. Healing is usually fast, and the resulting scar is often nearly invisible. The incision is closed with medical glue and protected with a custom ESINY bandage to ensure the best healing outcome.
Endoscopic spine surgery is becoming more widespread, but very few surgeons have undergone the extensive training necessary to perform it with precision. Even with the right education, achieving expertise in this technique requires significant experience and a consistent volume of procedures. This advanced method demands special skills and sophisticated equipment, which is why only a limited number of surgeons can offer it at an optimal level. At ESINY, we are the only dedicated endoscopic spine institute in the U.S. and bring together four internationally trained specialists. Our unique focus and high patient volume make us the top provider for endoscopic spine care in the country.
If you live in Missouri and have been advised that open spine surgery is your only option, or that surgery is simply not possible for you, endoscopic spine treatment may still be a safe and effective alternative. Even if you have tried injections, physical therapy, or previous spinal surgeries without meaningful improvement, our team at ESINY can carefully review your medical history and current symptoms. Our internationally trained endoscopic spine surgeons and pain specialists will craft a personalized care plan tailored to your specific needs. Using cutting-edge endoscopic techniques, we aim to treat the root cause of your pain while minimizing trauma to surrounding tissues, which can support less discomfort and a more rapid healing process.
For many people, the results are comparable to traditional surgery, with similar or even greater pain relief and functional improvement. Because the approach is less invasive, endoscopic spine surgery at ESINY often delivers these outcomes with faster healing and a strong focus on quality of life.