About International Spine Institute

His Patient Care Philosophy

Early in Dr. Marco Rodriguez’s orthopedic spine surgery career, he would see as many patients as possible to meet his patient’s needs. While his patients were satisfied with the level of spine care, he felt dissatisfied with the quality of time he was giving them. With the rise of managed care, a spine surgeon sees too many patients, averaging only 5 minutes spent with them.  For many people, this is unacceptable and leaves them feeling lost in a system that they have no control over.  As a result, Dr. Rodriguez’s practice has evolved out of the need for more personalized concierge spine care. His patient’s needs and expectations are catered to, and they are not rushed through appointments, like many orthopedic spine practices. Patients appreciate his attentive service and answers to their questions and concerns.  

First and foremost, people suffering in pain want to see a surgeon as soon as possible.  Furthermore, if they choose surgery, they prefer a surgery that provides relief with minimal recovery time and returns to work.  Patients who come to us from other doctors, often complain they had to wait weeks to get an appointment, and hours to be seen.  At the International Spine Institute, we understand patients want convenient, compassionate care, and that there is relief at the end of the tunnel.  Dr. Rodriguez’s goals are to listen and educate patients while providing the least invasive procedure, such as endoscopic rhizotomy, that returns patients to work and play as soon as possible.  

Concierge Spine Care

At the International Spine Institute, we put our patients and finding a solution to their problems first.

We have all heard stories of patients having to wait several weeks to get an appointment with an orthopedic spine surgeon, only to wait an unreasonable amount of time come the day of the appointment.  Unfortunately, patients are only given a minimal amount of time to discuss their problem and hopes, resulting in unanswered questions and a whirlwind of information that they must process.

At the International Spine Institute, everyone’s time is valuable, and we are committed to making sure all of your questions are answered before you walk out the door.

Our concierge spine care program allows for up to a 45-minute initial consultation, which allows Dr. Rodriguez ample time to review your medical records, imaging, and develop a treatment plan.  Dr. Rodriguez understands that his patients are in pain and he is committed to listening and addressing your every concern.  Likewise, our staff is here to accommodate your every need and assist you through the treatment plan.

We are here to make your experience at ISI, seamless and worry-free. Our professional staff will schedule all of your appointments needed, verify and explain your insurance benefits, and provide transparent pricing for your visits. If you are traveling from outside our area, we can also assist with all travel arrangements and accommodations.  Your experience at the International Spine Institute is our priority and we want it to a pleasant and memorable one.  

We Welcome Spine Medical Tourism Patients

Traveling for surgical spine care outside your local city, state or country

We welcome spine medical tourism patients from around the United States, and Canada for a second opinion, or less invasive procedure.  More today than ever, patients are searching online for solutions to their painful back, leg and neck symptoms.   The unbearable pain impacts daily routines, resulting in missed days of work, and ability to enjoy physical activity.  Patients suffering in pain waiting to see an orthopedic spine surgeon, have a significant loss of quality of life.

Patients routinely consider domestic travel within the United States or internationally from Canada to the US for a second opinion.  The most common reasons that patients travel are excessive wait times, alternative to spinal fusion, or least invasive procedure not offered locally.  For example, in Canada, a patient suffering from back pain may have to wait up to 2 years to be seen and operated on by an orthopedic spine surgeon.   Our practice is well suited to serve medical tourism patients that are willing to travel for consultation and surgery from within the United States, Canada and internationally.

International Spine Institute – Leaders In Least Invasive Spine Surgery

International Spine Institute’s motto is “Less Is So Much More.”

Dr. Rodriguez’s goal is to provide the least invasive procedure that gives people their lives back quickly, and with minimal pain and recovery as possible.  Minimally invasive spine surgery is a good treatment option for many patients with advanced degenerative and unstable spinal conditions, however, it should be reserved as the late-stage treatment option.  Minimally invasive spine fusion rates have skyrocketed leaving patients with prolonged, painful recovery and out of work for 2-3 months.  As a result, patients often avoid surgery and choose to deal with the pain because they fear spinal surgery.  Most patients can’t afford to be out of work for several weeks to months. 

For these reasons, Dr. Rodriguez wanted to find a better way to serve his patients, and relieve their neck, back, and leg pain and return them to work sooner.  With this in mind, Dr. Rodriguez has embraced least invasive spine surgery as an alternative to major spine surgery.  Least invasive procedures, such as stem cell therapy and endoscopic rhizotomy surgery, provide effective long-term relief with minimal downtime.  

Least invasive spine surgery utilizes conscious sedation or local anesthetic in an outpatient setting.  Endoscopic spine surgery is performed through a ½ inch incision, with minimal pain and discomfort.  Therefore, patients who have least invasive procedures, are highly satisfied and often return to an active lifestyle in as early as two weeks.

Least Invasive Spine Surgery – Bridging The Gap Between Failed Pain Management And Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery

According to Dr. Rodriguez, “there are too many spinal fusions done with poor outcomes, prolonged recovery and significant lost days of work.”

At the International Spine Institute, we often see patients that have failed pain management after only receiving temporary relief.  Pain management is relevant and helpful to pinpoint the pain generators in your spine. On the other hand, some pain management spinal injections and interventional procedures only provide temporary relief.  Therefore, for many patients, pain management does not provide lasting relief, resulting in referral to a spinal surgeon for further evaluation and treatment.

Dr. Rodriguez has bridged the gap between failed pain management and minimally invasive spinal surgery with least invasive spine surgery.  These procedures have dramatically decreased the number of spinal fusions in Dr. Rodriguez’s practice. Therefore, patients prefer to have least invasive surgery, instead of a spinal fusion or additional pain management injections or procedures.  His patient’s results have been astounding, hence most patients are returning to work within a few weeks of surgery.

Board-certified and fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon, Marco A. Rodriguez, MD, treats a variety of degenerative spinal conditions including herniated disc, sciatica, low back pain, spinal stenosis, neck pain, spondylolisthesis, and failed back surgery. His least invasive spine surgery practice focuses on endoscopic spine procedures and stem cell therapy for low back pain.  International Spine Institute serves the greater Baton Rouge and New Orleans areas, and patients willing to travel to Louisiana.