Disc Tear Management Without Surgery In Coral Gables, FL

Spinal discs act as shock absorbers between the vertebrae (spinal bones) in your neck and back. They have a tough outer covering called the annulus fibrosus and a softer, gel-like center called the nucleus pulposus.  The annulus can tear from wear and tear or trauma and can cause mild to severe pain, depending on the location. And although many are asymptomatic, they are more likely to be painful if you’re under age 50.

Annular tears can be overlooked as a cause of pain and are often lumped in with degenerative disc disease (DDD). The only reliable way to find out if a tear is causing your back pain is via discogram. During a discogram, pressure is injected into the disc. The doctor uses this pressure to see if the disc is painful.

In many cases, given enough time and rest, torn discs will heal on their own. However, the area will be more prone to repeat injury and degenerative disc disease (DDD). 

If the pain and other symptoms don’t lessen over time, physicians often recommend a high-dose epidural steroid injection that can temporarily help the pain. But this can also lead to severe side effects and reduce your body’s natural ability to heal itself. 

If the steroid injection doesn’t work, the next common orthopedic option is spinal fusion, a procedure in which two vertebrae are screwed together, or fused. Spinal fusions have been shown to be no more effective than placebo surgeries (also known as sham surgeries), while complications occur in 25% of fusion patients and often lead to further issues, including adjacent segment disease (ASD).

That’s why we’ve developed a different approach.

2020 Ponce de Leon
Coral Gables, FL 33134

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Doctors

I became a doctor because I love medicine plain and simple! I am fascinated with the human body, our ability to grow and heal and the numerous advances in medicine that allow treating physicians to play a part. I come from a generation of physicians, so I also feel a deep persona connection to the field. I personally like to make patients feel as comfortable as possible, that means knowing your audience and having emotional intelligence. Some patients like to laugh, some more serious but all patients want a doctor that knows what they’re doing and has compassion, which is what I strive to deliver during every patient interaction.

I was born in Miami and attended Belen Jesuit High school which built character and strengthened the foundation for my future career in medicine. I then attended the University of Miami School of Medicine where I helped found the MD/MBA program becoming the first MD to graduate from the dual program. During this time I studied business and the business of medicine, reinforcing my passion towards becoming a future entrepreneur and business leader. I then completed Residency in Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation at the University of Miami where I sharpened my skills in Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. I went on to complete an Interventional spine fellowship in Tampa followed by a regenerative medicine and Ultrasound fellowship In Napa Valley with the acclaimed Dr. Marko Bodor. I returned to Miami to practice where I continue to help my community with the knowledge I have gained.

I specialize in disorders of the spine and nervous system and also in Regenerative Orthopedics which utilizes the body’s own healing agents to promote healing of tears and other sports injuries using Ultrasound and Fluoroscopy guidance. I specialize in ultrasound guided injections because this is the only way to guarantee patients have the best outcomes as opposed to injecting blindly. I Also specialize in Anti-Aging Medicine which includes Metabolic weight loss, hormone replacement therapy for men and women, hair regrowth, and skin rejuvenation; by combining Anti-Aging Medicine with Regenerative

Medicine I truly feel I am able to offer patients a unique experience, not only in their healing process, but their internal metabolic functions and image. I want to help people live longer and healthier.

I love to play sports including basketball, tennis, and golf. I love to snowboard and I love boating. I am an entrepreneur who has created different products in health care and have partnered with many prestigious companies, one being Moroccan Oil, for whom I created a supplement line to support healthy hair and skin. I love to develop novel health products that actually work, and assist people in navigating the confusing world of medicine and health products. I am proud to be at the forefront of Regenerative medicine in Miami, and I hope to continue serving my community as much as I can.

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Areas Treated

Cervical Spine (Not Upper Cervical or CCI)*, Elbow, Foot & Ankle, Hand & Wrist, Knee, Lumbar Spine, Shoulder, Thoracic Spine

*This provider is NOT authorized by Regenexx to treat the C0-C1 or C1-C2 levels of the neck or CCI (craniocervical instability).

During Regenexx’s outpatient procedures, custom concentrations of your body’s natural healing agents are injected into the exact areas of damage in the spine. Treatments use only your own blood to make super-concentrated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) or your own bone marrow concentrate (BMC), which contains stem cells.

Best of all, your downtime will be a fraction of what it is with surgery and generally requires little to no opioid pain medications or time off of work.

Am I a candidate?

Watch a real Regenexx spinal procedure performed by a certified Regenexx physician:

Our goal is to use the least invasive, least expensive procedure to get the desired results. Your Regenexx physician will work with you to determine whether that would be a platelet procedure or a BMC procedure.

At Regenexx, we are dedicated to giving you the information you need to make an informed decision about your best treatment option.

During your initial appointment, your Regenexx doctor will use our four-part SANS (stability, articulation, neuromuscular, and symmetry) evaluation to identify the underlying causes of your pain. Your doctor will examine your injury through a full range of motion and may use ultrasound to observe the inner workings in real time. 

Once the evaluation is completed, your doctor will determine if Regenexx is right for you and will discuss your customized treatment plan based on your specific needs.

Am I a candidate?

Join Chris Centeno, MD, founder of Regenexx, to learn how Regenexx procedures can help treat your back pain without surgery and lead to a faster recovery.

During this free webinar you’ll learn:

  • How procedures using bone marrow concentrate (BMC) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) compare to surgery and other spine pain treatment options
  • Procedure expectations
  • Answers to the most common questions about regenerative medicine treatments
Watch Webinar
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