Total Spine and Brain Institute in the News
How to Manage Sciatica Flareups Without Making Them Worse
Learn how to manage sciatica flareups with safe movement, symptom relief, and clear signs that a spine specialist should evaluate your pain promptly.
Brain Surgery Recovery Guide for Each Stage
This brain surgery recovery guide explains hospital care, healing at home, key warning signs, rehabilitation, and when to contact your neurosurgical team.
What a Workers Compensation Surgery Case Requires
A workers compensation surgery case needs a clear diagnosis, timely care, and detailed documentation. Learn what to expect before and after spine surgery.
When to Seek Care for Neck Pain and Why It Matters
Know when to seek care for neck pain, including urgent warning signs, lasting symptoms, and when a spine specialist can clarify your next step safely.
A Clear Guide to Preparing for Brain Surgery
Our guide to preparing for brain surgery explains the questions, medications, logistics, and recovery planning that support a safer, calmer experience.
Work Injury Back Pain Case Example and Next Steps
This work injury back pain case example shows how careful evaluation, imaging, and coordinated treatment can guide a safe return-to-work plan after injury.
How Robotic Spine Surgery Works for Patients
Learn how robotic spine surgery works, from detailed planning to guided implant placement, and what patients can expect before surgery and during recovery.
How Workers Comp Spine Claims Work in Florida
Learn how workers comp spine claims work, from reporting an injury and choosing care to clear documentation, benefits, treatment, and return-to-work steps.
How to Relieve Neurogenic Claudication Safely
Learn how to relieve neurogenic claudication with targeted nonsurgical care, smart activity changes, and when a spine specialist may recommend surgery.
Best Treatments for Cervical Myelopathy Explained
Learn how the best treatments for cervical myelopathy protect spinal cord function, when surgery is needed, and how specialists choose the right approach.
How to Prepare for Discectomy Surgery Safely
Learn how to prepare for discectomy with clear steps for medications, testing, home recovery, and questions to ask your Tampa Bay spine surgeon today.
Personal Injury Back Pain Treatment After an Accident
Personal injury back pain treatment starts with a clear diagnosis, timely documentation, and a plan that protects your health, mobility, and recovery.
How to Recover After Kyphoplasty With Confidence
Learn how to recover after kyphoplasty with practical guidance on movement, pain control, incision care, warning signs, and follow-up care at home safely.
How to Recover After Laminectomy With Confidence
Learn how to recover after laminectomy with practical guidance on walking, incision care, pain control, activity limits, and when to call your care team.
Open vs Robotic Spine Surgery Explained
Understand open vs robotic spine surgery, including accuracy, recovery, risks, and the factors your surgeon uses to recommend the right approach for you.
How to Choose a Neurosurgeon With Confidence
Learn how to choose a neurosurgeon by assessing credentials, experience, communication, treatment options, and coordinated follow-up care for your case.
Laminectomy vs Spinal Fusion: Key Differences
Laminectomy vs spinal fusion: learn how these procedures differ, when each may be recommended, and what recovery can look like for spine patients today.
Best Options for Chronic Neck Pain: What Works
Learn the best options for chronic neck pain, from precise diagnosis and targeted nonsurgical care to advanced surgical treatment when clinically needed.
How to Choose a Spine Surgeon: 8 Questions
Learn how to choose a spine surgeon by evaluating training, diagnosis, treatment options, outcomes, communication, and coordinated recovery care plans.
Spine Surgery Preparation Checklist: What to Do
Use this spine surgery preparation checklist to prepare your home, medications, records, transportation, and recovery plan before surgery day arrives.
When Should Back Pain Need Surgery? Key Signs
Learn when should back pain need surgery, which warning signs require urgent care, and how specialists decide whether spine surgery is appropriate for you.
Lumbar Disc Replacement Review for Back Pain
A lumbar disc replacement review explains candidacy, benefits, risks, recovery, and when a fusion or nonsurgical care may be the better choice for you today.
A Guide to Spine Surgery Recovery Planning
Use this guide to spine surgery recovery planning to prepare your home, support healing, recognize warning signs, and plan a safer return to activity.
How to Sleep After Lumbar Surgery Safely
Learn how to sleep after lumbar surgery with positions, pillow support, and warning signs that help protect your recovery and support comfortable rest.
Adjacent Segment Disease Treatment Options
Adjacent segment disease treatment starts with a precise evaluation. Learn how nonsurgical care and revision surgery can relieve pain and protect function.
Second Opinion Before Spinal Fusion: A Patient Example
See a second opinion before spinal fusion example, learn what specialists review, and prepare key questions before choosing surgery for back or neck pain.
How to Prepare for Kyphoplasty Before Surgery
Learn how to prepare for kyphoplasty, from medication review and fasting to arranging a safe recovery after treatment for a spinal compression fracture.
Your Guide to Lumbar Decompression Surgery
A guide to lumbar decompression surgery: learn why it is recommended, what happens during recovery, and how a specialist helps you decide with confidence.
Return to Work After Spinal Fusion Safely
Return to work after spinal fusion depends on healing, job demands, and your spine surgeon's guidance. Learn how to plan a safe, confident return to work.
Cervical Fusion vs Disc Replacement Compared
Compare cervical fusion vs disc replacement, including candidacy, recovery, motion, risks, and long-term goals, with guidance for informed decisions.
How Spine Second Opinions Help You Decide
Learn how spine second opinions help clarify your diagnosis, assess treatment options, and make confident decisions before spine surgery or ongoing care.
Cervical Myelopathy Symptoms Guide for Adults
A cervical myelopathy symptoms guide to warning signs, testing, and treatment decisions. Learn when hand, balance, or walking changes need prompt care.
Personal Injury Spine Evaluation After a Crash
A personal injury spine evaluation identifies accident-related neck or back injuries, guides treatment, and documents findings with clinical precision.
A Guide to Cervical Spine Surgery
A clear guide to cervical spine surgery, including when it is needed, common procedures, recovery, risks, and how to prepare with confidence.
Brain Tumor Surgery Options Explained
Learn how brain tumor surgery options are chosen, from open craniotomy to minimally invasive approaches, with goals, risks, and recovery factors.
Cervical Radiculopathy Treatment Options
Learn cervical radiculopathy treatment options, from medication and therapy to injections and surgery, and when specialist evaluation matters.
When Is Back Surgery Necessary?
Learn when is back surgery necessary, which symptoms suggest structural spine problems, and how specialists decide if surgery is the right next step.
12 Best Questions for Neurosurgeon Consultation
Learn the best questions for neurosurgeon consultation so you understand diagnosis, options, risks, recovery, and when surgery makes sense.
How Cervical Disc Replacement Works
Learn how cervical disc replacement works, who may qualify, what surgery involves, and how it compares with fusion for neck and arm pain relief.
Can Herniated Discs Heal Naturally?
Can herniated discs heal naturally? Learn when symptoms improve on their own, what helps recovery, and when specialist care is needed.
Best Treatments for Failed Back Syndrome
Learn the best treatments for failed back syndrome, from imaging and medication to nerve stimulation and revision surgery options.
Herniated Disc Surgery Guide for Patients
A herniated disc surgery guide for patients considering treatment, recovery, risks, and when minimally invasive spine surgery may be the right step.
Failed Back Syndrome Treatment Options
Learn failed back syndrome treatment options, from imaging and injections to revision surgery and spinal cord stimulation for lasting relief.
Neurosurgeon vs Orthopedic Spine Surgeon
Comparing neurosurgeon vs orthopedic spine surgeon? Learn training, procedures, and how to choose the right spine specialist for your condition.
Non Fusion Spine Surgery Benefits Explained
Learn how non fusion spine surgery benefits select patients with less tissue disruption, preserved motion, and faster recovery after treatment.
Best Treatments for Chronic Back Pain
Learn the best treatments for chronic back pain, from therapy and injections to minimally invasive spine surgery for lasting relief.
Kyphoplasty vs Vertebroplasty Differences
Learn kyphoplasty vs vertebroplasty differences, including procedure steps, pain relief, risks, recovery, and which patients may benefit most.
How Kyphoplasty Treats Compression Fractures
Learn how kyphoplasty treats compression fractures by stabilizing the spine, reducing pain, and helping patients return to safer daily movement.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis Treatment Guide
A lumbar spinal stenosis treatment guide covering symptoms, diagnosis, non-surgical care, surgery options, recovery, and when to seek specialist help.
Disc Replacement vs Fusion: Which Fits?
Disc replacement vs fusion compares motion preservation, stability, recovery, and long-term goals to help patients choose the right spine surgery.
How to Prepare for Spine Surgery
Learn how to prepare for spine surgery with practical steps for testing, medications, home setup, recovery planning, and safer healing.
Spinal Cord Compression Signs to Know
Learn spinal cord compression signs, when symptoms become urgent, and why fast evaluation can protect mobility, balance, and nerve function.
How Minimally Invasive Discectomy Works
Learn how minimally invasive discectomy works, what happens during surgery, who may benefit, and what recovery usually looks like.
Revision Spine Surgery Guide for Patients
A revision spine surgery guide for patients considering repeat surgery. Learn why revision is needed, how cases are evaluated, and what recovery may involve.
Minimally Invasive Lumbar Decompression
Minimally invasive lumbar decompression can relieve nerve pressure with smaller incisions, less disruption, and a focused recovery plan.
What Is Non Invasive Spine Surgery?
What is non invasive spine surgery? Learn what the term means, how it differs from minimally invasive spine surgery, and when it may fit.
How to Choose the Best Minimally Invasive Spine Surgeons
Learn how to identify the best minimally invasive spine surgeons by evaluating training, diagnosis, technique, outcomes, and fit for your case.
Robot Assisted Back Surgery Explained
Learn how robot assisted back surgery improves precision, planning, and recovery for select spine conditions, and when it may be the right choice.
Robotic Assisted Spine Surgery Explained
Learn how robotic assisted spine surgery improves precision, planning, and recovery for select spinal conditions and complex cases.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Cost
Minimally invasive spine surgery cost depends on procedure, insurance, and setting. Learn what affects price and how to plan with confidence.
How Painful Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
How painful is minimally invasive spine surgery? Learn what pain to expect, how recovery feels, and when discomfort may signal a concern.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery L4 L5
Learn when minimally invasive spine surgery l4 l5 may help, what it treats, expected recovery, and how surgeons decide if it is the right option.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Spondylolisthesis
Learn when minimally invasive spine surgery for spondylolisthesis may help, how it works, expected recovery, and who is a candidate.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery for Stenosis
Learn when minimally invasive spine surgery for stenosis may help, who qualifies, expected recovery, risks, and how expert evaluation guides care.
How Successful Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
How successful is minimally invasive spine surgery? Learn typical outcomes, who benefits most, recovery expectations, and key limits to know.
Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Safe?
Is minimally invasive spine surgery safe? Learn who it helps, its risks, benefits, and how surgeon skill affects safety and recovery.
Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery Recovery Time
Learn what affects minimally invasive spine surgery recovery time, what to expect after surgery, and when recovery may take longer.
What Is Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery?
What is minimally invasive spine surgery? Learn how it works, who may benefit, expected recovery, and when it may be the right option.
C3-4 Disc Arthroplasty – Case Study
Patient History A 49 year-old female presented with severe right shoulder and arm pain and numbness for a period of four months. An MRI of the cervical spine revealed a large herniated disc with [...]
Fast Relief for Spinal Surgery Patients – Case Study
Case History 69-year old male Patient had three-month history of spontaneous left lower extremity pain MRI of the spine revealed multilevel lumbar spinal degeneration Diagnosis Patient had a left L4-L5 facet synovial cyst [...]
Dr. Tien Le has again been named to Tampa Magazines Top Doctors List for 2023
In March 2023, Tampa Magazine mailed surveys to the over 10,000 doctors who currently practice in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties. They obtained this list from the Florida Department of Health in February 2023. Tampa [...]
50+ spine surgeons to know in 2023
Tien Le, MD. Total Spine & Brain Institute (Brandon, Fla.). Dr. Le is a minimally invasive spine specialist and has been certified to use robot-assisted technology since 2013. He completed the first case integrating Accelus' Remi robotic navigation [...]
Dr. Tien Le Named to Tampa Magazines’ 2022 Top Doctors List
Dr. Le was voted by his peers to Tampa Magazines’ 2022 Top Doctors list in the specialty of Neurosurgery. In May, Tampa Magazines sent surveys to 11,260 physicians practicing in Hillsborough, Pinellas and Pasco counties [...]
Brandon Hospital named a Top Hospital for Spine Surgery 3 Years in a Row!
Dr. Le and the entire Total Spine and Brian team are extremely proud and honored to have contributed to this amazing accomplishment. We are always committed to neurospine excellence and personalized care. HCA Florida Brandon [...]
Woman has a stroke after cracking her neck, thinks she’s just drunk
Woman has a stroke after cracking her neck, thinks she's just drunkNatalie Kunicki, 23, was in bed after a night out and stretched her neck. She heard a loud crack and then she couldn't move [...]
LOCAL NEUROSURGEON PERFORMS THE FIRST MAZOR X™ ROBOTIC SPINE SURGERY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
LOCAL NEUROSURGEON PERFORMS THE FIRST MAZOR X™ ROBOTIC SPINE SURGERY IN HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY BRANDON, Fla. – June 8, 2017 – The next generation, state-of-the-art robotic guidance system for spine surgery, Mazor X™, has arrived for [...]
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