A Promising Athlete Sidelined by Back Pain
Born and raised in Dublin, OH, 20-year-old Preston Everhart, a student and wide receiver at Temple University, faced a challenge no young athlete ever expects: debilitating back pain that sidelined him from the game he loves. For months, he had managed intermittent discomfort with temporary treatments, but as his college football career progressed, the pain grew unbearable.
The once energetic athlete found himself unable to perform even the simplest daily activities. Tasks like walking, showering, and moving around became monumental struggles. On the worst days, Preston could only lie on the floor of the training room, unable to move. The pain radiated from his back and down his legs, leaving him nearly immobile.
Turning to Vertrae for Help
Concerned about Preston’s condition, his father reached out to Dr. Kamal Woods at Vertrae to discuss surgical options. With his college season on hold, Preston flew home for surgery, entering the operating room early on the morning of September 16th.
Although he initially felt nervous–this was his first surgery–Preston’s anxiety dissipated as soon as he arrived at Vertrae. Expecting the sterile hustle and bustle of a typical hospital, he was surprised by the calm, welcoming environment created by Dr. Woods and our team.
Dr. Woods took the time to thoroughly explain Preston’s condition and the upcoming procedure in an easy-to-understand way. Preston learned that two discs in his lower spine were pressing against his sciatic nerve, causing the excruciating pain that had disrupted his life and threatened his football career.
MIS & Immediate Relief
To alleviate his symptoms, Dr. Woods performed a minimally invasive surgery (MIS) called a micodiscectomy. This surgery, done through a less-than-1-inch incision, removes the tiny portion of disc pinching the sciatic nerve.
When Preston woke up from surgery, the results were immediate and life changing. For the first time in months, he could walk without severe pain–a transformation he described as “night and day”. Previously unable to sit or lie down, that same day, he was on his feet again, taking his first steps toward recovery.
“When I came in, my pain was at a 10, and I couldn’t live my normal life. The next day when I woke up, it was already so much better. With football aside, my life just got better.”
Looking Ahead
Back at Temple University, Preston began physical therapy with his trainers. He quickly progressed from walking to running and performing strengthening exercises. While has hasn’t been cleared to play just yet, he is confident he’ll soon return to the field.
Reflecting on his pain during recovery, Preston rated it as a mere “0.5 out of 10,” describing it as a normal part of recovery rather than actual discomfort. His story is one of resilience, determination and hope.
Thanks to Dr. Woods and the team at Vertrae, Preston is not only reclaiming his ability to move, but is also on track to resume his football career. The Vertrae family is cheering him on every step of the way, eagerly awaiting the day he steps back on the field.
If you or someone you know is struggling with back pain that affects quality of life, contact Vertrae at 844-255-2225 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Kamal Woods.
