Why was Sydney Spine Institute established?
Sydney Spine Institute was established from a simple clinical insight: spinal conditions are often complex, and no single specialty has all the answers.
Too often, people with neck and back problems move between different healthcare providers, receiving conflicting opinions, fragmented care, and unnecessary delays before reaching the treatment that is right for them.
Our vision was to create an integrated spine service where surgeons, physicians, allied health professionals, and researchers work together to provide coordinated, evidence-based care.
Since then, Sydney Spine Institute has evolved from a specialist neurosurgical practice into a multidisciplinary centre dedicated to improving patient outcomes through collaboration and innovation.
No single specialty holds all the answers in spine care.
This philosophy has guided Sydney Spine Institute since its establishment and continues to shape the way care is delivered today.
Our Approach
A Collaborative Model of Care
Spinal conditions are often more complex than a scan alone can explain. Pain, nerve symptoms, physical health, work demands, lifestyle, and personal goals can all influence the most appropriate treatment and recovery.
Sydney Spine Institute was established to reduce the fragmentation that can occur when patients receive isolated or conflicting opinions. By bringing surgeons, physicians, allied health professionals, and researchers together, we provide coordinated, evidence-based care centred on the whole clinical picture rather than a single diagnosis or imaging finding.
Whether a patient requires surgery, rehabilitation, or non-surgical management, our goal is to guide them towards the right treatment at the right time—helping them make informed decisions and improve their function, independence, and quality of life.
Our Evolution
Two Decades of Spine Care, Education and Innovation
Sydney Spine Institute was founded in 2007 by A/Prof James van Gelder and Dr Christella Mylordi, who were later joined by Dr Henry Lam. Together, they shared a vision of creating a more coordinated approach to spinal care by bringing together complementary expertise within a single practice.
Over the years, Sydney Spine Institute has evolved from a specialist neurosurgical practice into a multidisciplinary spine centre, expanding to include comprehensive non-surgical spine care, workplace spinal injury management, physiotherapy, exercise physiology, pain education, and metabolic health.
For nearly two decades, our monthly clinical and scientific meetings have fostered a culture of evidence-based practice, professional collaboration, and continuous learning. This commitment extends beyond clinical care through active involvement in clinical and biomedical research, helping translate new knowledge and innovation into better care for our patients.
Today, Sydney Spine Institute continues to care for patients from across Sydney, regional New South Wales, and beyond, while remaining committed to advancing the future of spine care through collaboration, education, and research.
2007
Sydney Spine Institute founded
2012
Biomedical collaboration begins
2015
Patient-specific implant research
2017
Clinical research and innovation
2021
Peer-reviewed research
Today
Integrated spine care
Explore Our Team & Activities
A/Prof. James van Gelder
Learn more about the founder of Sydney Spine Institute, including his surgical expertise, academic appointments, research contributions, and leadership within neurosurgery and spinal surgery.
Our Team
Meet the doctors, allied health professionals, and support staff who work together to provide coordinated, patient-centred care.
Research & Innovation
Explore our clinical and biomedical research activities and learn how we are contributing to the advancement of spinal care through evidence generation and innovation.
Education & Professional Collaboration
Discover our involvement in clinician education, trainee supervision, multidisciplinary meetings, and professional development initiatives.
Need Assessment or Guidance?
Whether you are seeking a surgical opinion, non-surgical treatment, rehabilitation support, or advice regarding a workplace injury, our multidisciplinary team can help guide you towards the most appropriate pathway.
