At ESINY, residents of the Upper East Side are cared for by an award-winning spine surgeon in New York who leads one of the most respected teams in modern spinal medicine. We are committed to transforming how spine conditions are treated, offering a patient-centered approach grounded in innovation and precision. Our minimally invasive methods provide smaller, safer solutions for back and neck pain, giving you the potential for faster healing and lasting relief right here in your neighborhood.
You Deserve the Smallest, Least Invasive Spine Surgery
Endoscopic spine treatment has completely changed how doctors approach spinal health, offering a safer and more modern alternative to traditional surgery. The Endoscopic Spine Institute of New York is proud to lead this transformation by focusing on precision, innovation, and patient empowerment. With the nation’s top neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons specializing in endoscopic procedures, and as the only institute of its kind in the country, our goal is to help every patient move forward with less pain and greater freedom.
Our team utilizes a very small incision, less than a centimeter wide, along with a specialized camera about the size of a pencil eraser. This allows us to see and treat spinal problems directly while causing minimal disturbance to surrounding tissue. The result is a procedure that’s both gentle and effective, offering faster recovery times and an exceptional level of surgical accuracy.
Your Precise, Powerful Solution From The Spine Experts
When you need spine treatment, trust the experts who helped define the field. Our award-winning team of neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons has decades of experience performing endoscopic spine surgeries with unmatched accuracy. They’ve shared their expertise at hundreds of medical conferences around the globe and contributed to over 300 scientific publications. Recognized internationally and honored by the American Academy of Neurological and Orthopedic Surgeons, our doctors combine technical mastery with compassionate care for life-changing results.
The Safest Spine Surgery in the World
Endoscopic spine surgery is considered one of the safest procedures available for spinal conditions. With an infection rate near zero and minimal blood loss compared to other methods, it provides patients with peace of mind and quicker healing. The incision is smaller than one centimeter, and most individuals resume daily activities within a few days. It’s a revolutionary approach that minimizes the risks and downtime of conventional surgery.
95% Walk Out the Same Day—with Less Pain and Only a Band-Aid
Endoscopic spine procedures allow nearly all patients to return home within hours of their surgery. Recovery starts right away, with minimal discomfort and only a small ESINY band-aid needed to protect the incision. There is no hospital admission required, helping patients get back to daily life sooner.
Say Goodbye To General Anesthesia
Rather than putting patients completely under, this approach uses gentle sedation and local anesthesia in many cases. The experience is calm, comfortable, and far easier on the body, helping patients recover faster and feel more in control during their procedure.
Join the 30,000+ Patients Who Have Found Relief
Our advanced spine treatments have helped more than 30,000 people regain mobility and comfort. Whether you’ve had injections, prior surgeries, or other treatments that failed to bring lasting results, endoscopic spine surgery offers a fresh opportunity for real improvement.
The Go-To For Other Spine Doctors
Even other specialists in spine medicine turn to ESINY for their own care. With over 40 spine surgeons treated, our facility has earned the distinction of being the trusted choice among leaders in the field.
What We Treat
Meet Your Team
ESINY continues to set the standard in endoscopic spine care through its dedication to precision and patient-focused innovation. The highly trained team delivers treatments designed to pinpoint and resolve the true cause of back or neck pain. This modern approach often leads to better long-term outcomes, fewer risks, and recovery times that are significantly faster than what patients typically experience after traditional surgery or injection-based care.
What To Expect
Patients coming from the Upper East Side to ESINY receive a consultation focused entirely on understanding their symptoms and prior care experiences. The team listens closely, ensuring that each patient’s individual situation guides the next steps. Once suitability for endoscopic treatment is confirmed, the doctor explains the process thoroughly to help the patient feel confident in their decision.
Endoscopic spine procedures are the least invasive option currently available, and for Upper East Side residents, they often bring shorter recovery times and fewer side effects than traditional surgeries. Many patients are relieved to learn they can return home on the same day thanks to local anesthesia and a small incision.
Following the treatment, ESINY’s physicians personally follow up within a week to ensure healing is on track, comfort levels are maintained, and all remaining questions are answered with care.
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
This innovative surgical technique is considered the smallest and least invasive form of spine surgery available today. It involves the use of a high-definition camera and fine surgical tools that enter through a pencil-sized incision to correct spinal issues. At ESINY, we are proud to be America’s pioneering endoscopic spine institute, setting the standard for excellence in minimally invasive spinal care.
Endoscopic spine treatment offers numerous advantages over traditional methods. Because it’s performed through such a small incision, patients typically experience less discomfort, quicker healing, and minimal scarring. The technique focuses on accuracy, targeting the exact source of the problem, often allowing patients to walk the same day and return home shortly after the procedure.
Conventional spine surgery usually means large incisions, muscle cutting, and bone removal, often stabilized with screws and rods. Endoscopic spine surgery avoids these invasive steps. By using a miniature camera and specialized tools, the surgeon can treat spinal issues without significant tissue damage, resulting in faster recovery and less postoperative pain.
If you’ve already received spinal injections to manage your pain, you understand the relief that comes from choosing gentle, non-surgical care. For patients in the Upper East Side, endoscopic spine surgery is the next step forward, just as minimally invasive, but far more effective at addressing the root cause of discomfort. Instead of masking pain, it directly targets the problem, leading to more meaningful, long-lasting outcomes.
Many Upper East Side patients come to us after conservative treatments stop working, determined to find a real solution. Endoscopic spine surgery provides that opportunity, offering precision, comfort, and advanced results that help you return to your daily life in one of New York’s most vibrant neighborhoods.
Yes, very much so. In skilled hands, this form of minimally invasive spine surgery carries fewer risks than open procedures. Patients experience reduced bleeding, minimal scarring, and a quicker, more comfortable recovery process.
That’s a personal choice. Some people prefer a lighter approach using sedation and local anesthesia for quicker recovery, while others choose full anesthesia for comfort. Both methods are safe, and your surgical team will help you decide what’s best for you.
Recovery tends to be surprisingly fast. Many patients go home the same day, walking independently and resuming light activities shortly after. Pain that once radiated down the arms or legs often begins to subside right away. Compared to open surgery, healing times are much shorter.
Endoscopic spine surgery can help with conditions such as herniated discs, bone spurs, sciatica, spinal stenosis, and chronic back or leg pain. It allows for highly focused treatment of the affected area with less tissue disruption. Learn more about What We Treat.
Most people find that pain after the procedure is quite manageable. The smaller incision and reduced tissue trauma help keep discomfort mild, often eliminating the need for strong pain medication. Our pain management plan is designed to make recovery smooth and easy.
The incision is tiny; less than 1 centimeter. Once it heals, you might barely notice it. We use skin-safe glue and a specialized dressing for closure, ensuring optimal healing with minimal scarring. It’s one of the many reasons patients appreciate the minimally invasive nature of this technique.
Endoscopic procedures are rapidly gaining attention, but only a few U.S. surgeons are trained to perform them at a high level. The process requires special tools, techniques, and years of experience. ESINY stands out as the country’s only dedicated endoscopic spine institute, combining top international expertise into one groundbreaking team.
You might be surprised to learn that you could still qualify, even if you were told that surgery wasn’t possible or that you’d need an open procedure. Many Upper East Side patients who have struggled with ongoing pain after injections, physical therapy, or past surgeries discover that endoscopic spine surgery is the solution they’ve been searching for. Our ESINY team evaluates every case individually to determine the safest and most effective treatment option.
With endoscopic precision, we focus directly on the source of pain in the back, neck, arms, or legs while minimizing impact on healthy tissue. This careful approach helps support a smoother, quicker recovery and can lead to stronger, lasting results for our patients across the Upper East Side.
The benefits in many cases can rival, or even outperform, those of open surgery, with the added advantage of a shorter and smoother recovery period. This advanced method is designed to deliver precise care directly to the source of your spinal problem, helping you resume your daily life sooner. From lumbar complications to spinal cord involvement, every aspect of the procedure emphasizes your spinal well-being and the likelihood of durable, positive outcomes.