 Dr. Constantine Toumbis, a fellowship-trained spine surgeon, treats patients at Citrus Spine Institute in Crystal River, Florida. He earned his MD with distinction in biomedical research from the Wayne State University School of Medicine. At Citrus Spine Institute, Dr. Constantine Toumbis performs a variety of surgeries, including spinal fusion.
The spinal fusion procedure aims to join two or more vertebrae together permanently in order to prevent them from moving against one another. The procedure mimics the natural bone healing process, achieving fusion through the strategic placement of bone tissue or a similar synthetic substance between the vertebrae. During the procedure, surgeons may also implant rods and screws to keep the vertebrae in place as they heal together. Spinal fusion is used to treat problems like spinal deformities, as in the case of scoliosis, or structural issues like herniated disks or spinal instability. The procedure can also address chronic back pain. Oftentimes, spinal fusion follows a regimen of less invasive, more conservative treatment options that fail to address the underlying problems.
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 A spine surgeon caring for patients in and around Crystal River, Florida, Constantine Toumbis, MD, performs spinal procedures at Citrus Spine Institute. To train for his career, Dr. Constantine Toumbis completed a fellowship in spine surgery at Cleveland Clinic Florida.
As part of the central nervous system, the spine partners with the brain in acting as the communication hub of the human body. The spinal cord begins at the bottom of the brain stem, in the area referred to as the medulla oblongata, and ends at the conus medullaris in the lower back. Signals from the brain travel down the spinal cord and spread to their destination in the body via the peripheral nervous system. Signals also travel from the peripheral nervous system to the spinal cord, and from there to the brain. The spinal cord itself is roughly a foot-and-a-half long and is contained within the spinal column, which is composed of 33 bones, called vertebrae, stacked on top of one another. The spinal column is subdivided into five regions. The 24 vertebrae of the cervical, lumbar, and thoracic regions are movable, while the nine vertebrae of the coccyx and sacrum regions are not. Though the spinal column protects and supports the spinal cord, serious injuries can nonetheless occur. Damage to the spinal cord can, for example, frustrate or block communication from the brain to the extremities, and vice versa. It manifests as the inability to feel or to move the arms, legs, trunk, or all of these, depending on the precise location of the spinal cord damage.  A noted spine surgeon at the Citrus Spine Institute in Crystal River, Florida, Constantine Toumbis. MD, specializes in cervical, thoracic, and lumbar surgeries. In addition, Dr. Constantine Toumbis and his colleagues treat spine related conditions including osteoporosis.
Bones naturally undergo a cycle of breaking down and building up. As one ages, bones may have trouble keeping up with this process, resulting in lower bone density and a weakened bone structure. The loss of bone density results in osteoporosis. The condition is most common in women who have completed menopause, but men over 70 are also susceptible. Treatment options for osteoporosis vary based on a patient’s risk in breaking a bone within the next ten years. Patients at low risk may be able to slow the disease’s progression with medications and lifestyle changes. High risk patients require a more aggressive response. Common lifestyle changes to prevent the advancement of osteoporosis include smoking cessation, decreasing the amount of alcohol a patient consumes, and a healthy lifestyle that includes good nutrition and regular weight bearing exercise. Experts also recommend taking steps to reduce falls such as wearing good, sturdy shoes and removing tripping hazards from a patient’s home. The most common medications prescribed for osteoporosis are bisphosphonates such as ibandronate and alendronate. These are oral medications that are taken daily. Unfortunately, they can prove to be harsh on a patient’s digestive system, causing discomfort and stomach upset. When a patient can’t tolerate a bisphosphonate or in advanced cases of osteoporosis, a doctor may recommend injectable medications such as denosumab (Prolia, Xgeva), teriparatide (Forteo), or abaloparatide (Tymlos). Each has the potential to rebuild bone. In some cases, hormone replacement therapy may be recommended to patients with osteoporosis. No matter the treatment plan, a patient suffering from osteoporosis should remain under the care of a qualified physician who can monitor the disease’s progression and the patient’s response.  A Florida-based spine surgeon at Citrus Spine Institute, Constantine Toumbis, MD, brings more than two decades of experience to his practice. To better serve his patients, Dr. Constantine Toumbis maintains membership with multiple professional organizations, including serving as a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Each year, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) hosts its Annual Meeting, and in 2020 it will take place in Orlando from March 24 to March 28. Here’s a quick guide to getting the most from the event. The AAOS Annual Meeting furnishes numerous opportunities to learn as well as hands-on access to educational tools. Three important aspects of the event program are the Academy Hall, Education Sessions, and the Exhibit Hall. The Academy Hall is one of the main educational hubs, and it is open to attendees throughout the duration of the event. Some of the key resources at Academy Hall include membership specialists who will provide an in-depth look at AAOS membership benefits and an orthopedic video theater featuring a range of surgical videos. The education sessions take place in the form of two-hour classes during four of the Annual Meeting's five days and include everything from "Ask an Expert" discussions to instructional courses covering well established techniques in orthopedics. Additionally, the Exhibit Hall is open for three days, connecting attendees with the latest industry products through activities such as bio-skills sessions. One last program to know about is Specialty Day, which takes place only on Saturday. Specialty Day features scientific programs led by organization members of the Board of Specialty Societies.  A member of the North American Spine Society, Constantine Toumbis, MD, draws upon nearly 20 years of orthopedic surgery experience in his role as spine surgeon at Florida's Citrus Spine Institute. Beyond his professional pursuits, Dr. Constantine Toumbis enjoys traveling with his wife. One of his favorite destinations is Toronto, Canada.
Toronto is the largest city in Canada and one of the country's most prominent tourism hubs. Below are three attractions worth checking out in the city: 1. CN Tower - Upon its completion in 1976, the CN Tower, at 553 meters, was the world's tallest freestanding structure. It's highest viewing area is in the 447-meter-high Sky Pod, where visitors can, on clear days, see as far as Niagara Falls and New York State. More adventurous visitors can do the edge walk, in which they are attached to a safety harness and complete a hands-free walk along a 1.5-meter-wide ledge around the outside edge of the tower's main pod. 2. Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) - Combining ancient artifacts and popular exhibitions from around the world in a building with a modern and sleek crystal-shaped design, the ROM is one of the most renowned museums in Canada. It was opened in 1914 and features galleries on ancient Rome and dinosaurs, among other areas of interest. 3. Toronto Islands - This cluster of small islands is a short ferry ride from Toronto's downtown core and offers biking trails, sandy beaches, and a small amusement park.  The owner of the Citrus Spine Institute in Crystal River, Florida, Constantine Toumbis, MD, is an accomplished spine surgeon who has completed a range of significant research projects. Dr. Constantine Toumbis served as a designer for the Arsenal, a next-generation pedicle screw from the spinal fusion technology company Alphatec.
Although surgeons have been employing bone screws to correct spinal anomalies since the 1960s, the specific hardware and modalities that they use have changed a great deal. A specific type of bone screw, the pedicle screw has multiple characteristics to facilitate implantation into the vertebral pedicle, the stem-like structure that protrudes from the back of each human vertebra. Surgeons can implant pedicle screws to address instances of deformity and trauma by affixing spinal implants in place and/or immobilizing specific spinal sections. After using fluoroscopy or x-ray equipment to determine the ideal screw placement, surgeons drill receiving channels with the appropriate angles and depths before installing pedicle screws within the bone.  Constantine Toumbis, MD, has been practicing as a spinal surgeon for more than 13 years. Now the owner of Citrus Spine Institute in Florida, Dr. Constantine Toumbis welcomes patients with spinal tumors.
A spinal tumor can develop in or around the spinal cord or vertebrae. These growths can be difficult to diagnose because one of the primary symptoms is back pain, which is often indicative of a different and less serious condition. Pain from spinal tumors may be distinguishable because it is specific to a particular spot and worsens when that spot is directly manipulated. The pain may also be worse at night. Furthermore, because spinal tumors can develop anywhere along the spine, they can cause a varied set of symptoms that are inconsistent from one patient to the next. For most patients, the initial pain precedes neurological issues such as numbness or weakness of the limbs. Some patients may experience changes in their gait or trouble walking in the dark. Many patients notice a change in bowel or bladder habits, paralysis, or spinal curvature. Fortunately for patients, spinal tumors are much less common than other causes of back pain. A visit to a specialist and an MRI can usually determine whether a tumor is present.  Dr. Constantine Toumbis has nearly 30 years of experience as an MD. A spine surgeon at Citrus Spine Institute in Crystal River, Florida, Dr. Constantine Toumbis understands when spinal surgery is warranted.
If a patient has been living with back pain, the time will come when he or she will wonder if surgery could provide relief. However, for a spinal surgeon to consider a patient as a candidate, testing must reveal an anatomical cause of the pain. Common causes include bulging discs, ruptured discs, bone overgrowth, an unstable spine segment, or a structural deformity. Even in the presence of a visible anatomical abnormality, a surgeon will postpone surgery until conservative treatments have failed. Such treatments include physical therapy and pain relief medications. If the pain remains persistent and disabling despite these interventions, surgery may be an option. The exception to this rule is when a patient experiences particular symptoms, such as fever, loss of neurological function, or acute bladder or bowel incontinence. These symptoms may be a sign that damage to the back has become a medical emergency.  Practicing in Crystal River, Florida, Constantine Toumbis, MD, offers patient-focused care at the Citrus Spine Institute. In his capacity at Citrus Memorial Hospital, Constantine Toumbis, MD, has extensive knowledge of the spine and how it relates to low back issues.
The various lumbar spine conditions tend to be interrelated, with muscle issues such as strain related to repetitive use, bending, and heavy lifting. While they can cause extreme pain, muscle strains tend to get better within days or weeks of proper rest. A more serious issue involves degenerated discs, where the spongy “shock absorbers” that separate each vertebrae within the spine experience wear and tear and displacement that results in pain within the disc space. The lower back is where most disc herniations occur, with the intense pain causing damage cumulatively, with time, or all at once. A major symptom of the latter event, which may require surgical intervention, is sciatica, or leg pain that persists.  Constantine Toumbis, MD, is a respected Crystal River, Florida-based medical practitioner who leads Citrus Spine Institute and provides patient-centered care for a variety of conditions. Experienced in treating osteoporosis and osteoarthritis, Constantine Toumbis counsels patients on osteoporosis prevention.
While osteoporosis is associated with aging, steps to prevent its occurrence can begin from an early age. With the skeleton developing throughout the teenage years, adequate intake of calcium, vitamin D, and protein is vital in ensuring optimal bone growth. Other aspects of bone health include getting regular exercise and avoiding exposure to secondhand smoke. Peak bone mass is acquired in the mid-20s, and thereafter bone loss begins to occur. Slowing this natural process as an adult involves carrying on good habits developed as a youth, with proper nutrition paired with activities that require the bearing of weight. Strength training should ideally be combined with aerobic activities such as jogging and swimming, as well as disciplines such as yoga and tai chi. |
AuthorA surgeon focusing on spinal care, Dr. Constantine Toumbis treats patients at Citrus Spine Institute. Archives
November 2021
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