Meet the Experts

Dr. Theresa Pazionis

Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon with Miami Cancer Institute

Videos

Back Pain: Herniated Disk

Dr. Theresa Pazionis, Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon with Miami Cancer Institute, explains with a 3D imaging what a herniated disk is. The doctor describes a herniated disk can cause severe pain, weakness and numbness of lower extremities. If arthritis appears, it can cause pain from the herniated disc and from bones compressing the area, she explains.

Types of Disc Herniation

There are different types of disc herniation: bulging disc, herniated disc, degenerated disc and thinning disc and Dr. Theresa Pazionis, Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon with Miami Cancer Institute, explains each one of them. The specialist affirms pain and nerve roots are referred in many of these cases.

Recovering From Back Pain Surgery

Dr. Theresa Pazionis, Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon at Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, explains the recovery after a back pain surgery will focus on a core strengthening in a way that you are not bending, lifting and twisting your back. She recommends avoiding crunches or sit-ups, but doing planks. "Planks are fantastic as sort of a light Pilates and low impact activities," she highlights.

Spine Anatomy

Spine is divided up into four regions: cervical spine, thoracic spine, lumbar spine and sacrum, but they meld into one, explains Dr. Theresa Pazionis, Orthopedic & Spine Surgeon with Miami Cancer Institute. The expert also describes with a digital imaging what hypertrophy in the vertebral body and osteophyte are. She also says physicians have their way of numbering vertebras for deciding where the problem is for any sort of treatment.

Surgery Because Of Back Pain

Dr. Theresa Pazionis, Orthopedic and Spine Surgeon at Miami Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute, says surgery for back pain is necessary when patients have tried conservative management, injections and lifestyle modifications and they still have back pain. "Things that necessitate surgery are things like instability, so if your vertebral bodies are moving back and forth on each other, that can actually damage your nerve roots," she says.

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