Selective Intervention
Surgery is performed only when clinically indicated. We do our best to provide the correct diagnosis and ensure that appropriate non-operative therapies have been optimized before considering surgery.
Integrated Spine Care
Canadian Spine Institute
A comprehensive spine care center integrating surgery, rehabilitation, research, and education under a unified clinical philosophy.
Credentials & Affiliations
Our Model
An Institute-Level
Approach to Spine Care
The Canadian Spine Institute is not a surgical practice. It is a comprehensive spine care center structured around four integrated pillars: Surgery, Rehabilitation, Research, and Education.
This structure allows CSI to deliver complete care for both routine and highly complex spinal conditions—from initial evaluation through conservative treatment, surgical intervention when necessary, and long-term recovery.
Our model is designed to ensure that clinical decisions are made based on appropriateness and evidence.
Three Pillars. Integrated Care.
CSI’s institutional structure is built on four foundational pillars that work together to deliver comprehensive, evidence-driven spine care.
PILLAR 01 — CSI Neuro
Surgical Management of Spinal Conditions
CSI provides advanced surgical treatment for spinal pathologies when conservative management is insufficient or inappropriate.
International Center of Excellence
Our surgical approach emphasizes:
Minimally Invasive
Including spinal endoscopy, cervical disc replacement, and minimally invasive decompression and fusion
Motion Preservation
Maintaining spinal anatomy and function when possible
Integration with rehabilitation
Surgical planning includes pre-operative optimization and post-operative recovery protocols.
CSI is internationally recognized as a Center of Excellence in full-endoscopic spine surgery and cervical disc arthroplasty.
PILLAR 02 — CSI REHAB
Conservative Care and Rehabilitation
Most spinal conditions improve without surgery. CSI Rehab provides spine-specialized rehabilitation for patients at all stages of care.
Evidence-Based & Personalized
Conservative treatment pathways
Conservative treatment pathways for patients who do not require surgical intervention
Prehabilitation
Prehabilitation to optimize physical readiness prior to surgery
Post-operative rehabilitation
Post-operative rehabilitation to restore function and mobility
Long-term spine health
Long-term spine health protocols to maintain outcomes and prevent recurrence
Our therapists work in direct collaboration with CSI surgeons to ensure seamless coordination across the entire care continuum.
PILLAR 03 — CSI RESEARCH
Clinical Investigation and Outcomes Analysis
CSI is committed to advancing spine care through clinical research, peer-reviewed publication, and participation in national and international academic collaborations.
Innovation Through Evidence
Our research activities include:
Prospective outcomes tracking
Prospective outcomes tracking to evaluate treatment effectiveness
Clinical studies
Clinical studies on surgical techniques and conservative interventions
Publication in peer-reviewed journals
Publication in peer-reviewed journals to contribute to the scientific literature
Collaboration with academic institutions
Collaboration with academic institutions including McGill University. Journal reviews and collaborations
Research ensures that CSI’s clinical approach remains grounded in evidence and subject to continuous evaluation.
Preamble
Diagnosis-Driven Care
Spinal pathology is complex. Imaging findings do not always correlate with symptoms. Symptoms do not always require surgery. Treatment decisions must be based on careful evaluation—not pattern recognition or procedural volume.
CSI’s clinical approach is based on the following principles:
Governing Articles
I — IV
Article I
Thorough evaluation precedes treatment.
Understanding the problem is more important than rapid intervention. Misdiagnosis leads to failed treatment.
Article II
Conservative care is prioritized when appropriate.
Most patients improve without surgery. When they do not, we reassess to determine whether surgical intervention is indicated.
Article III
Surgery is a selective tool
When surgery is necessary, it should be technically sound, minimally invasive, and performed as part of a comprehensive care plan that includes rehabilitation.
Article IV
Long-term outcomes matter
We track results, evaluate effectiveness, and remain accountable to the patients we treat.
The Patient Pathway
From evaluation to recovery
Every patient follows a structured, evidence-based pathway designed to achieve the best possible outcome.
Six-Stage Continuum of Care
- I01
Evaluation
Initial Assessment
Comprehensive evaluation including history, physical examination, and review of diagnostic imaging.
- II02
Non-Operative Care
Conservative Management
Non-operative treatment including spine-specialized rehabilitation, activity modification, selective spinal injections, and symptom management when appropriate.
- III03
Decision Point
Reassessment
Objective evaluation of treatment response. Not all patients improve with conservative care. When they do not, we determine whether surgery is the appropriate next step.
- IV04
When Indicated
Surgical Intervention
Minimally invasive procedures performed only when clinically justified and clearly communicated to the patient.
- V05
Recovery
Rehabilitation & Recovery
Post-operative care coordinated between surgical and rehabilitation teams to optimize functional outcomes.
- VI06
Lifelong Partnership
Long-Term Follow-Up
Ongoing evaluation to track results and address any long-term considerations.
Conditions Treated
Clinical Management of Spinal Pathology
CSI evaluates and treats a range of spinal conditions, including:
- Disc herniation
- Spinal stenosis
- Radiculopathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Neck and back pain
Condition-specific information is provided to help patients understand their diagnosis, treatment options, and what to expect during care.
View Conditions TreatedLeadership & Clinical Excellence
Clinical Expertise and Academic Credentials
Founder & Director
Dr. Jeff Golan
Neurosurgeon
CSI is led by Dr. Jeff Golan, internationally recognized for advancing minimally invasive spine surgery and training the next generation of surgeons across North America.
4,000+
Spinal Procedures Performed
McGill
Former Associate Professor of Neurology & Neurosurgery
Published
Peer-Reviewed Research & Clinical Innovation
International
Invited Speaker & Surgical Educator
Recognized Center of Excellence
Designated by RIWO-Spine and Centinel Spine for full-endoscopic spine surgery and cervical disc arthroplasty.