When debilitating back pain stopped her from working out, Tina chose disc replacement surgery with Dr. Mark Robinson over fusion to get back to the gym and reclaim her quality of life
Tina has been lifting weights regularly for over seven years. It’s more than a hobby for her—it’s a way of life. But in 2024, something started to go wrong. Lower back pain that she had worked through for years started to get worse, and after a particularly heavy workout that May she found herself almost unable to move.
It was a devastating blow to her lifestyle. Once active and athletic, she was now crawling on the floor to get around her house as the pain of standing upright was too much. She couldn’t even sit upright for longer than 30 seconds at a stretch without excruciating pain from her lower back all the way down to her left foot.
“Nothing was making it better. Nothing,” she says, “Ice, heat, stretching, Advil, Tylenol, back massager, heating back massager, foam rolling, you name it. Nothing was working. And I can handle pain. But this was the type of pain where you just know something is wrong.”
Tina’s primary care physician prescribed medicine for the pain, and while that helped make the next few months more tolerable, her overall condition wasn’t getting any better. It was wearing on her mentally as well as physically.
“Workouts are just so motivating for me, they keep me feeling mentally and physically healthy, balanced and whole and happy. So not being able to exercise, I’m thinking about it all day, every day. I couldn’t wait to do it again.”
Fortunately, Tina knew just what she needed to do to make that happen.
“I’d already had two surgeries through Panorama, one for arthritis issues in my foot and one for a torn labrum in my shoulder,” she says, “I absolutely loved the care I received there. So for this, why would you go anywhere else?”
Tina was referred to Dr. Mark Robinson by one of her previous surgeons at Panorama and was soon diagnosed with a bulging disc. They determined three possible courses of action—a micro discectomy, spinal fusion surgery, or inserting a new disc in place of the damaged one. Tina opted for the replacement, a procedure she didn’t even know was possible.
“You feel so in charge of your own decision and your own health at Panorama. And I don’t want a Band-Air solution. It’s treatable, it’s fixable. Why wouldn’t you want to get it taken care of? I feel young enough and I want to keep moving forever.”
Dr. Robinson walked her through the procedure, explaining the process and showing her the materials that would be used. She felt 100% confident heading into surgery, even knowing that anything can happen during such a procedure.
“There’s no going through your back,” she says of the surgery, “They go through your tummy. Like, how easy is that?”
And the procedure was a resounding success. Tina was back to working out lightly within about four weeks of her surgery, and notes that today her back feels exactly how it did before the disc injury. She feels great both physically and mentally.
“I had the best, optimal outcome; zero problems. I can’t imagine the level of skill Dr. Robinson has to be able to achieve that.”
She mentions that her experience with Panorama hasn’t just been ideal in terms of medical outcomes, but also in feeling heard and respected.
“You have that personal touch of providers really wanting to know how you’re doing, and listening at every post op from beginning to end. Not to sound cheesy, but you build that relationship forever. Even seeing my past surgeons from years ago they asked how I was doing today.”
“I think when you have an injury, finding the right provider is the hardest thing,” she continues, “You need someone who’s going to hear you and listen to your story, understand what’s needed, and not be afraid to say, ‘let’s do it.’ I would just say that brings a world of confidence knowing you’re in such good hands.”
Tina’s recommendation for others who are working through pain and injuries?
“Talk to your doctor, talk openly, talk honestly. And I think it’s just about making sure what your goals are. Everybody’s different in what they’re looking for. I just wanted a lot less pain, and now it’s 90% gone.”
Surgery has helped Tina get her life back on track more than once. While no one wants to suffer through injuries, her outlook is optimistic.
“It is a big deal, having surgery. It can be scary, definitely. But when you’re in good hands, it can be absolutely wonderful.” Dr. Mark Robinson is a board-certified neurosurgeon at Panorama Orthopedics & Spine specializing in spine disorders through both surgical and non-surgical treatments. He sees patients in Golden.