Karina Worden, MPAS, PA-C

Karina A. Worden, MPAS, is a licensed physician assistant (PA-C), specializing in orthopedic spine care.

She sees patients with a range of cervical, thoracic and lumbar spine issues, including disc herniations, spinal stenosis, radiculopathy, scoliosis, degenerative disc disease and compression fractures.

Working with UC San Diego Health's spine surgeons, Ms. Worden evaluates patients and provides conservative treatment options prior to surgery and also helps deliver pre- and post-operative care.

She enjoys spending time with patients to better understand how their symptoms may be affecting their daily life and activities. She takes time to discuss patients' conservative or surgical treatment options, depending on their goals, lifestyle and other medical issues to help patients return to what they enjoy doing to the extent possible.

Prior to joining UC San Diego Health, Ms. Worden worked at a private orthopedic clinic in Santa Barbara that specialized in spine surgery and general orthopedics.

She earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the University of Colorado Denver Anschutz Medical Campus Child Health Associate/Physician Assistant Program.

Outside of work, she enjoys running and racing, trail running, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, cooking and spending time with friends and family.

UC San Diego Health Links
For more information, see Orthopedics.