DWTS: Karina Smirnoff Has Back Surgery

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When you're a dancer, the worst thing you can do is injure your back. But that's exactly what happened to Dancing With the Stars Karina Smirnoff, who underwent back surgery on Thursday.

Smirnoff's former dance partner and current squeeze, Mario Lopez, told Extra that Smirnoff suffered a back injury during the recent DWTS tour. With so little time to recover before the premiere of the show's new season (the Ukrainian-born beauty is paired with R&B sensation Mario), will Smirnoff be ready to dance again so soon?

Not to worry, says Lopez. Karina is expected to make a full recovery in time for DWTS's March 17 premiere.