Miami Neurological Institute

Miami Neurological Institute (MNI) was founded by board certified and internationally recognized neurological surgeon, Santiago Figuereo, M.D., F.A.A.N.S.

With headquarters in Aventura, Fla., our new 6,500-square-foot office includes a state-of-the-art physical rehabilitation center and treatment suite for pain management procedures and therapies.

At a time when health care is becoming more fragmented, Dr. Figuereo developed plans to implement a center where people suffering from brain, spine or nerve issues can receive an array of high-quality treatments under one roof. Treatment for neurological conditions does not always mean surgery. Unless there is an urgent need - such as stroke or trauma - our doctors first explore all non-surgical options - such as individualized pain management programs and/or specialized physical therapy - with our patients before recommending surgery. When surgery is the best option, we have the resources within our practice to follow our patients through their surgery and then offer them the latest treatments for post-surgical rehabilitation therapy and pain management so that we can be even more involved in their total recovery.

Dr. Figuereo is board certified and has particular expertise in minimally invasive neurosurgical procedures of the brain, spine, and peripheral nerves. He has developed a specialized interest in endoscopic procedures for intracranial, skull base, and pituitary tumors. Additionally, he is one of the few functional neurosurgery fellowship-trained neurosurgeons in Florida and is nationally recognized for his expertise in the surgical management of movement disorders, including deep brain stimulation for Parkinson's disease and surgical procedures for epilepsy. Dr. Figuereo has trained hundreds of national and international neurosurgeons in his advanced techniques as a prominent faculty in minimally invasive neurosurgery workshops.

Dr. Figuereo's collaboration with spine bioengineers has led to the development of new neurosurgical procedures and the design of innovative instruments used internationally for minimally invasive surgery of the spine. The development of these new procedures has had a positive impact our patients' quality of life in a shorter period of time. The advantages of our unique neurological expertise are realized by patients immediately after surgery because their recovery is less traumatic. Patients who undergo minimally invasive procedures benefit by a faster recovery period, less time in the hospital, lower risk of complications, less pain, and can usually return to normal activities much quicker than with traditional open surgery.

Our pain management program is directed by Christian D. González, M.D., F.I.P.P., a board certified and fellowship trained anesthesiologist and pain management physician. Dr. González offers multidisciplinary pain management options to patients with brain, spine and nerve issues. Dr. González also performs a wide range of therapeutic interventions to heal pain and can help any patient with pain. Those patients suffering from back pain, neck pain, knee pain and shoulder pain have great outcomes in his practice due to his unique technical approach. He also specializes in hard-to-treat conditions including facial (trigeminal) pain, hyperhidrosis, spasticity disorders, chronic back pain and multiple sclerosis.

Dr. González is currently the director of the physician training workshop and serves on the educational board for the American Academy of Pain Management. He is the President and Chief Executive Officer for the Massachusetts Society of Interventional Pain Physicians.

In addition, Dr. González is actively involved in training domestic and international physicians on interventional pain medicine techniques and serves as a medical expert advisor and proctor for several device companies. He has published several medical papers and has spoken internationally on current pain management topics and his research. His current research focuses on spinal cord neuromodulation for pain and radiofrequency ablation for chronic back pain.

Luciana Segantin Lopes, P.T., is a licensed physical therapist trained in manual physical therapy, which is a specialized form of physical therapy delivered with the hands as opposed to a device or machine. Through the use of soft tissue manipulation and joint mobilization techniques, she is better able to optimize a patient's level of function. This eclectic approach to physical therapy treatment is evidence based, proving that patients have better outcomes. Studies have shown that the combination of core exercise and manual physical therapy is most effective.

Lopes holds a neuro-developmental treatment certification and is certified in advances in manual therapy, hydrotherapy, and lymphatic drainage.

At Miami Neurological Institute, it is our goal to treat the whole patient and to offer our patients the most comprehensive neurological and pain management services under one roof in a convenient, friendly, community setting.

Miami Neurological Institute offices are conveniently located in Aventura and Kendall. For more information, call (786) 623-2000 or e-mail info@miamini.com.