He's expected to be out six to eight weeks although Panthers head coach and GM Jacques Martin only said Thursday that the 31-year-old would be re-evaluated next week.
Bertuzzi hasn't played since Oct. 18, receiving treatment and injections for a herniated disc but there was no improvement.
Bertuzzi, acquired from the Vancouver Canucks in the Roberto Luongo deal last June, has seven points (1-6) in seven games this season. He's earning US$5.27 million and will be an unrestricted free agent July 1.
The native of Sudbury, Ont., had 71 points (25-46) in 82 games with Vancouver last season, his seventh season with the Canucks. He has 224 goals and 312 assists in 717 career games with Florida, Vancouver and the New York Islanders.