07/29/2025
Advanced Spine Care. Expert Providers. National Reach.
At Spine Institute of Central Florida, we are proud to be recognized as one of the most comprehensive and respected spine centers serving not only Central Florida, but patients from across the state and throughout the United States.
With a collaborative team of board-certified specialists and a full spectrum of spine care services under one roof, we provide personalized treatment plans that address everything from early signs of spine degeneration to complex spinal conditions requiring surgery.
Meet Our Spine Care Team
🔹 Dr. Chukwuka C. Okafor, M.D., M.B.A., CIME, FAAOS
Board-Certified Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon
Recognized among the Top 20 Spine Surgeons in the United States by the North American Spine Society (NASS)
Dr. Okafor brings national recognition and deep expertise to our patients. His approach blends minimally invasive surgical techniques with evidence-based practices to help patients recover faster and with fewer complications. His goal is to restore mobility, relieve pain, and improve quality of life—safely and effectively.
🔹 Dr. Colby L. Fagin, M.D.
Dual-trained in Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Spine Procedures
Specializes in motion preservation surgery, spinal decompression, and degenerative conditions
Dr. Fagin offers an integrated approach to spine health, combining surgical expertise with a focus on preserving natural movement and avoiding unnecessary procedures.
🔹 Dr. German Marulanda, M.D.
Orthopaedic Spine Surgeon with experience in revision surgery, spinal deformities, and chronic conditions
Provides comprehensive treatment plans customized for each patient's spine anatomy and lifestyle needs
Dr. Marulanda is dedicated to patient education and long-term outcomes, helping individuals make confident, informed decisions about their care.
🔹 Dr. Kaiwal Patel, M.D., D.ABA
Double Board-Certified in Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine
Specialist in spinal injections, nerve ablations, and non-surgical pain relief
Dr. Patel plays a critical role in early-stage and conservative management of spine-related pain. His interventional techniques can often prevent the need for surgery altogether, offering patients effective alternatives with minimal downtime.
Understanding Spine Health: What Patients Should Know
Your spine is a complex structure made up of bones (vertebrae), discs, joints, muscles, ligaments, and nerves. When any part of this system is damaged—whether from wear and tear, injury, or age-related changes—pain, numbness, and mobility issues can occur.
Common conditions we treat include:
Herniated or bulging discs
Sciatica (nerve root compression)
Spinal stenosis (narrowing of the spinal canal)
Degenerative disc disease
Scoliosis and spine deformity
Spinal fractures or trauma
Post-operative complications or failed surgeries
Arthritis of the spine
Chronic neck and back pain
At Spine Institute of Central Florida, we take the time to identify the root cause of your symptoms using advanced diagnostics such as MRI, CT scans, and nerve studies, so we can develop the most appropriate treatment plan — whether that means physical therapy, pain intervention, or surgery.
Our Approach: Patient-Centered, Data-Driven Care
What sets us apart:
✅ Over 95% of our patients improve without surgery, thanks to our evidence-based, conservative-first philosophy
✅ Full continuum of care on-site: clinical consultation, diagnostics, image-guided injections, physical therapy, and surgery if needed
✅ Minimally invasive surgical options to reduce tissue disruption, pain, and recovery time
✅ Collaborative, multidisciplinary treatment plans tailored to each patient’s condition, goals, and lifestyle
✅ Care available for in-state, out-of-state, and international patients — including concierge support for travel and coordination
Trusted Beyond Central Florida
While our physical locations serve communities throughout Lakeland, Brandon, Winter Haven, and Haines City, patients routinely travel from across Florida and the United States to seek our expertise — often after unsuccessful treatment elsewhere.
We offer:
Second opinions for surgical or non-surgical cases
Medical tourism-friendly scheduling for patients flying in for diagnostics or surgery
Telemedicine consultations for out-of-town patients needing expert review
What Our Patients Are Saying
“After years of pain and misdiagnosis, I finally got answers here. I traveled from New York for Dr. Okafor and would do it again.”
“I was afraid of surgery, but Dr. Patel’s injections gave me my life back.”
“Dr. Fagin explained everything clearly — I was treated with respect and real expertise.”
“This team listens. They take your goals seriously and guide you every step of the way.”
Visit One of Our Locations or Contact Us Today
Spine Institute of Central Florida
📞 (863) 688-3030
🌐 www.SpineInstituteFL.com
Coming from Outside Florida?
We routinely coordinate care for patients traveling from across the U.S. — ensuring:
Rapid diagnostics
Coordinated imaging and specialist evaluations
Short-term and long-term treatment plans
Post-treatment follow-up care via telehealth or referring providers
Our goal is to deliver exceptional spine care, no matter where you're coming from.
Ready to Start Your Journey Toward Relief?
Whether you’re in the early stages of back or neck pain or exploring advanced treatment options, our team is here to provide clear answers, expert guidance, and long-term solutions. Your spine is too important to trust to chance.
Visit www.SpineInstituteFL.com or call (863) 688‑3030 to request a consultation.
Let us help you move freely again — with confidence, clarity, and expert care.
