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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 days ago

"I think I found the person who can help me."
Those were the words Kellie whispered to her husband at 2 a.m. after nearly 20 years of chronic back pain, four failed surgeries, and doctors who kept telling her there was nothing more they could do.

In this episode, Kellie shares the emotional reality of living with Bertolotti Syndrome, a frequently overlooked spinal condition that robbed her of running, fitness teaching, and too many moments with her kids. We're also joined briefly by her two children, who reflect on what it was like growing up watching their mom push through it all.

This is a story about chronic pain, motherhood, medical gaslighting, and what happens when you refuse to stop searching for answers.

Kellie joins us to talk about:
0:00 - Introduction + Living with chronic back pain as a mother
1:55 - What Chronic Pain Looks like from a Child's Perspective
7:23 - Kellie’s Story: Where it all Began
8:30 - The Reality of Motherhood in Chronic Back Pain
10:10 - 20 Years of Chronic Back Pain & Failed Spine Surgeries
13:48 - The Link Between Chronic Pain and Mental Health
16:12 - Bertolotti Syndrome: Why it gets Misdiagnosed
17:43 - The 2AM Search That Changed Everything
20:17 - Meeting Dr. Haines for the First Time
22:15 - Bertolotti’s Surgery and Recovery at VSI
25:59 - Life After Bertolotti’s Surgery & Running Again
28:25 - Advice for Women Living with Chronic Pain

From missing moments with her children to questioning whether she would ever run again, Kellie opens up about the reality so many women silently live through while continuing to show up for the people they love most.

If you've ever been told your pain is something you just have to live with, or if you love someone who has, Kellie’s story is a powerful reminder that your pain is real, and the right answers may still be out there.

Curious about Bertolotti resection surgery? Visit: https://spinemd.com/treatment/bertolotti-resection/

Whether you're desperate for a second opinion, searching for new pain-relief solutions, or looking for a Bertolotti syndrome specialist, this episode will empower you with knowledge, resources, and the reminder: you are not alone - and your pain is real.

🖥️ For more information and patient stories, visit https://www.vsispine.com

Learn more about Dr. Haines: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-colin-haines/

Read more about Kellie's Recovery Story: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/blog/mothers-patient-success-over-back-pain/
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FOLLOW US on social media 👇
VSI on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vsi_spine/
Dr. Haines' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.colin_haines/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vsi_spine?lang=en

#bertolottissyndrome #bertolotti #bertolottisyndrome #pseudoarticulation #backpain #lowbackpain #medicalmystery #painrelief #spinesurgery #resectionsurgery #spinespecialist

Mastering Motherhood Through Chronic Back Pain

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 weeks ago

In a National Spotlight during Police Week, FOX News Live interviewed Dr. Jazini of VSI to shine light on the mental and physical toll that severe injuries can take on wounded police officers and first responders.

Dr. Jazini shared why listening, accurate diagnosis, and a multidisciplinary approach are the first steps to helping patients move beyond pain and restore function, so that they can return to what they do best: protecting us.

Read Tim Putney's Recovery Story: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/blog/police-officer-overcomes-chronic-back-pain-from-spinal-injury/
Learn more about Dr. Jazini: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ehsan-jazini/

#NationalPoliceWeek #FOXNewsLive #NationalNews

Live on Fox News: Injured Police Officer Reclaims Life After Spine Surgery

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 weeks ago

What happens when a police officer is injured in the line of duty — but the care he needs is delayed for years?

During National Police Week, FOX News Live spotlighted the hidden crisis facing thousands of injured law enforcement officers across the country: chronic pain, delayed treatment, denied care, and the physical and emotional toll that follows.

In this national news segment, Sgt. Tim Putney shares how a serious line-of-duty lumbar spine injury left him living with years of debilitating back pain and uncertainty about his future. Through The Wounded Blue, Tim was connected with Dr. Ehsan Jazini and the team at VSI Spine Solutions, where he received the care that helped him reclaim his life, return to work, and be present for his family again.

If you’ve been living with chronic neck or back pain, have been through multiple treatments without answers, or feel like your condition is affecting your ability to work, serve, or be present with your family, it may be time for a second opinion.

At VSI | Spine Solutions, patients travel from across the country and around the world for expert spine care from Dr. Ehsan Jazini and our nationally recognized team of spine specialists.

VSI offers:
✅ Expert diagnosis for complex spine conditions
✅ Advanced treatment for chronic neck and back pain
✅ Minimally invasive and complex spine surgery options
✅ Personalized care plans built around your goals, lifestyle, and function
✅ Support for out-of-state and traveling patients

You don’t have to keep living in pain.

Learn About Dr. Jazini: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-ehsan-jazini/
👉 Request a consultation: VSISpine.com
📞 Call VSI directly: 703-709-1114
📍 VSI® Spine Solutions | Reston, Virginia

National Police Week, FOX News Live, injured police officer, line-of-duty injury, police officer spine injury, chronic back pain, lumbar spine injury, spine surgery recovery, Dr. Ehsan Jazini, VSI Spine Solutions, Virginia Spine Institute, The Wounded Blue, first responder health, injured officer recovery, spine surgeon Reston VA

FOX News Live: Injured Police Officer Reclaims His Life After Spine Surgery

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

2 weeks ago

What do you do when debilitating back pain steals years of your life, and the surgery you desperately need gets denied?

For Tim Putney, a deputy with the Wichita County Sheriff’s Office in Texas, that nightmare became reality after suffering a serious back injury in the line of duty in 2017. Living in constant pain, Tim lost his job, his mobility, and the ability to fully be there for his family.

“I had to sit on the couch and throw a ball inside the house with my son,” said Tim. Now, thanks to life-saving spine surgeries with VSI spine surgeon Dr. Ehsan Jazini, Tim says, “we can actually get back out and do things as a family.”

In this FOX5 special report for National Police Week, Tim shares how The Wounded Blue, a nonprofit dedicated to helping injured officers get the care they need, connected him with Dr. Ehsan Jazini and the team at VSI in Reston, Virginia.

After three life-saving spine surgeries, Tim was able to reclaim his life: returning to work, spending time with his family again, and even danced at his daughter’s wedding – something he once feared would be impossible.

This story highlights the very real physical and emotional toll chronic back pain can have, and what’s possible when patients and their families get the help they desperately need.

In this video:
- Officer Tim Putney’s recovery journey
- The impact chronic pain had on his mental & physical health
- How The Wounded Blue helped Tim access the care he desperately needed
- Dr. Jazini’s approach to complex spine surgery
- Tim’s victorious return to the life he thought he had lost
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🔎 ARE YOU LIVING WITH CHRONIC NECK OR BACK PAIN?

If you've been told surgery isn't possible, bounced between providers without answers, or simply aren't getting better, it may be time for a second opinion.

At VSI, patients travel from across the country, and around the around the world, to seek expert care from Dr. Jazini and our nationally recognized spine specialists.

VSI offers:
✅ Expert diagnosis for complex spine conditions
✅ Advanced, minimally invasive and complex spine surgery
✅ Personalized treatment plans built around your lifestyle, not just your imaging
✅ Consultations for patients traveling from out of state or internationally

You don't have to keep living in pain.

👉 Request a consultation: www.vsispine.com
📞 Call VSI directly: 703-709-1114
📍 VSI® Spine Solutions | Reston, Virginia

spine surgery | back pain | chronic back pain relief | disc replacement | spinal fusion | complex spine surgery | spine surgery recovery
#spinesurgery #backpainrelief #chronicpainrelief

Officer Gets His Life Back After Spine Surgery | As Seen on Fox5 DC

119

VSI® | Spine Solutions

3 weeks ago

Spring is when people get active again, and not surprisingly, it's a common time of year for people to experience back injuries. Dr. Colin Haines, spine surgeon at VSI joined FOX5 DC to break down why back pain spikes this time of year and what you can do to avoid it.

From spring cleaning and gardening to jumping back into sports, many people go from low activity to full intensity too quickly, putting unnecessary strain on their spine.

In this segment, Dr. Haines shares practical, easy-to-follow strategies to protect your back and stay active safely.

Key takeaways:
✅ Warm up before any activity (even spring cleaning!)
✅ Lift 'smart': bend at your knees, not your back
✅ Maintain good posture to reduce strain on your spine
✅ Ease back into activity, don’t go from 0 to 100
✅ Listen to your body! Persistent pain isn’t something to ignore

Dr. Haines emphasizes: your body is designed to move, but HOW you move matters. Small adjustments in posture, pacing, and preparation can make a significant difference in preventing injury.

If you’re experiencing ongoing back or neck pain, early evaluation can help you recover faster and avoid long-term issues. Learn more about spine care at VSI: https://vsispine.com

💡 For more information about Dr. Haines, visit https://spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-colin-haines/
📲 Follow Dr. Haines on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.colin_haines/

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back pain, spring cleaning injuries, spine health, gardening back pain, how to prevent back pain, posture tips, spine surgeon advice, FOX5 DC, Dr Colin Haines, VSI spine, lifting techniques, core strength, neck pain, tech neck, injury prevention

Back Pain Spikes in Spring... 5 Tips to Avoid Injury | Dr. Haines Explains

28

VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

“It’s hard to know where your finish line is if you don’t have a goal or objective.” 🔥

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VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

Whether it's disc replacement or fusion, a clear recovery plan turns uncertainty ➡️ confidence.

233

VSI® | Spine Solutions

4 weeks ago

If you’ve been living with back or neck pain — and surgery is now part of the conversation — deciding between disc replacement and spinal fusion can feel overwhelming.

You’ve probably started researching, reading other patients’ experiences, and trying to figure out what the right decision actually is.

In this episode of Get Back to Your Life®, VSI spine surgeon Dr. Colin Haines and physical therapist Larry Grine break down how these decisions are really made — including what makes someone a candidate for disc replacement vs fusion, and how factors like anatomy, lifestyle, and long-term goals all play a role.

But this conversation goes beyond the procedure itself.

They also walk through what many patients don’t fully understand going in — how preparation before surgery and commitment to recovery afterward can have a major impact on your outcome.

From prehab and surgical planning to early movement and long-term recovery, this episode gives you a clearer picture of what it actually takes to get back to doing the things you love.

If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next, this conversation will help you move forward with more clarity and confidence.

💡 Learn more about Dr. Haines: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/dr-colin-haines/
💡 Learn more about Larry Grine: https://www.spinemd.com/medical_team/larry-grine/

🔗 Learn more about expert, surgical and non-surgical spine care at VSISpine.com

👍 Found this helpful? Like, subscribe, and share with someone who needs to hear this.
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If you've been searching any of the following terms, keep listening:
Disc replacement vs fusion, spinal fusion recovery, artificial disc replacement, spine surgery recovery, back pain treatment options, spine surgery decision, prehab physical therapy

Disc Replacement vs. Fusion: How to Make the Right Decision

118

VSI® | Spine Solutions

1 months ago

VSI is proud to mark the world’s first spine surgery performed using the Medtronic Stealth AXiS™ Autopilot system: a next-generation platform that integrates AI-powered surgical planning, robotic guidance, optical navigation, and real-time segmental tracking into a single, connected workflow.

Spine surgeons Drs. Christopher Good, Colin Haines, and Ehsan Jazini are the first in the world to operate using this robotic system. The procedure was performed at Reston Hospital Center.

This achievement builds on VSI’s longstanding leadership in surgical innovation and a growing track record of world-first procedures in minimally invasive, robotic-assisted, and augmented reality spine surgery — a reflection of our commitment to advancing solutions that get our patients back to improved quality of life, safer and faster than ever before.

Learn more: https://www.spinemd.com/resources/blog/worlds-first-spine-surgery-with-stealth-axis-autopilot/

World’s First Spine Surgery with Stealth AXiS™ Autopilot | Spine Surgeon Explains

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