0+
Years Experience
0%
Success Rate
0+
Procedures Completed
0mm
Procedure Opening
We perform the best non-traumatic procedures available using the most advanced tools and equipment. Some of our technology is only available here.
The world's smallest endoscope. Dot skin opening so small, only a small bandaid is needed.
No cutting causes no bleeding. No bleeding causes no scarring. Preserve your natural spine structure.
Walk out the same day. Return to normal activities faster than any other spine procedure available.
Highest non-traumatic access success rate. Other techniques have a much lower success rate.
Physicians, surgeons, and medical professionals come to Back Institute for their personal spine care.
Pioneering non-traumatic spine surgery since 1995 with peer-reviewed publications and proven results.
30+
Years Experience
96%
Success Rate
10K+
Procedures Done
3
Locations
Back Institute specializes in endoscopic treatment of a wide range of spinal conditions — without the damage of traditional open surgery. Most patients are surprised to learn they're ideal candidates.
A tear in the outer fibrous ring of an intervertebral disc allows the soft central portion to bulge out, pressing on nerves and causing pain, numbness, or weakness. This is frequently posterior in nature and can result in severe pain even without nerve root compression.
Narrowing of the main spinal canal that compresses spinal nerves. Sometimes caused by bone growth, ligament tissue growth, or significant disc bulge. Disc components causing stenosis may be treatable with our nano non-traumatic access approach. For severe spinal stenosis, decompression may require an 8 mm small endoscopic approach.
Pain caused by compression or irritation of spinal nerve roots giving rise to the sciatic nerve. Pain is felt in the lower back, buttock, and leg. May include numbness, muscular weakness, pins and needles, and difficulty controlling the leg.
Age-related wear on spinal discs causing chronic low back pain that sometimes radiates to the hips, pain in the buttocks or thighs while walking, and sporadic tingling or weakness. Can also cause chronic neck pain radiating to shoulders, arms, and hands.
Our non-traumatic approach means dramatically faster recovery. Here's what to expect after your NANO procedure.
The NANO procedure takes under 90 minutes. Local anesthesia with light sedation — no general anesthesia required.
Most patients walk out of our facility the same day. No hospital stay. A small bandaid is all you leave with.
Return to light daily activities within days. Many patients are surprised at how quickly they feel normal again.
Full activity is typically restored within weeks — not months. Compare that to 6–12 weeks for traditional open surgery.
2–4 Weeks
NANO Full Recovery
6–12 Months
Traditional Surgery Recovery
3
Board-Certified Spine Surgeons
2 Ivy League
Trained Surgeons on the Team
50+ Years
Combined Nano Endoscopic Experience
Typically, endoscopic procedures are done with two of the spine surgeons present. Not available anywhere else.
Dr. Ditsworth with Visiting Doctor
Visiting Student from Slovakia
Visiting Student from Brazil
Neurosurgeon & Founder, Nano Back Institute
A board-certified neurosurgeon, Dr. Ditsworth developed the Non-Traumatic Discectomy for treating herniated and bulging discs in the spine. In contrast to traditional approaches to spine surgery, which frequently do damage to a healthy spine, this procedure truly is beyond "minimally invasive."
Dr. Ditsworth has written more than 40 peer-reviewed abstracts, articles, and book chapters. He is a member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons and has been on staff at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for many years.
Board Certified in Neurosurgery
Fellowship in neurosurgery at Yale University School of Medicine
Developed the procedure for treating herniated and bulging discs without cutting
Abstracts, articles, and book chapters on endoscopic spine surgery
On staff at Cedars Sinai Medical Center for many years
Member of the Congress of Neurological Surgeons
When physicians, surgeons, and nurses need spine surgery for themselves, they choose Back Institute. They understand the science. They see the outcomes. And they trust us with their own bodies.
This is the highest endorsement any medical practice can receive — the trust of the medical community itself.
"As a physician myself, I was extremely particular about where I would have my spine procedure done. The Back Institute's NANO technique was exactly what I was looking for."
Dr. Michael S.
Orthopedic Surgeon · Houston, TX
"When I told my colleagues I was having endoscopic spine surgery at Back Institute, they were skeptical. When they saw me back at work two weeks later, they were asking for the referral."
Dr. Sarah L.
Emergency Medicine · Seattle, WA
"As a spine surgery nurse, I've seen patients struggle through long recoveries from conventional procedures. When I needed my own surgery, I chose Back Institute."
NP J.K.
Spine Surgery NP · Los Angeles, CA
From USA locals to international travelers, from everyday patients to physicians — hear what they say about choosing Back Institute. All patients shown have been followed up to the present time.
"I am Andrew from Alaska, and I had a nano procedure at the Back Institute., then walked several miles the next morning."
Andrew
Patient · USA
"I am Douglass from Canada, and I had non-traumatic back surgery at the Back Institute."
Douglass
Patient · Canada
"I am Rodney and I had non-traumatic back surgery at the Back Institute."
Rodney
Patient · USA
"I am Jeremy and I had non-traumatic back surgery at the Back Institute."
Jeremy
Patient · USA
"I am a Gastroenterologist from New York, and I had non-traumatic back surgery at the Back Institute."
Robert
M.D., Gastroenterologist · New York
"I am a Bariatric Surgeon from New York, and I had non-traumatic back surgery at the Back Institute."
William
M.D., Bariatric Surgeon · New York
Our innovative approach to spine care has been featured in major news outlets nationwide.
About 400,000 Americans may be getting highly invasive back surgery unnecessarily. A local doctor says he's found great success with an outpatient procedure to remove herniated disc material. Most patients can benefit from this procedure.
Four out of five Americans suffer low back pain at some point in their lives. When therapy and medicine fail, a new procedure may be the simplest surgical solution yet.
Back Institute's non-traumatic approach has been featured in national news since our founding in 1995.
