On June 13, we held a free patient education seminar at Doctors Hospital in Augusta, Ga., with our two spokesmen—Basketball Hall-of-Famer Bill Walton and Retired MMA Fighter Nate Quarry.
Bill and Nate both underwent minimally disruptive XLIF® (eXtreme Lateral Interbody Fusion) procedures to relieve chronic back pain. Today, they are living pain-free and have made personal commitments to “pay it forward.” They are both Patient Ambassadors with The Better Way Back®, a role that allows them to help others who suffer from back and leg pain.
At the event, Bill and Nate spoke with pre-operative patients about their own pain, their decisions to undergo XLIF surgery, and the benefits of the procedure.
Nate suffered from degenerative disc disease that prevented him from training. He was afraid of losing his MMA career and his ability to provide for his daughter. He eventually opted to undergo the XLIF procedure in 2006. Just 15 months later, Nate returned to the Octagon, winning his comeback fight against an old adversary.
“To be able to give people hope, to be able to give people the dream that they have a chance—that’s why we’re here,” Nate said.
Bill also lived with increasingly unbearable pain. After trying a number of unsuccessful treatment options and even contemplating suicide, he underwent the XLIF procedure in 2009.
“I just wanted my life—any life—back,” Bill said.
After his surgery, Bill was amazed by the relief he experienced from his excruciating nerve pain. Eager to share his story with others, he also became a Patient Ambassador with The Better Way Back.
In addition to Bill and Nate, Patient Ambassadors who underwent XLIF surgery with Doctors Hospital surgeon Dr. Ildemaro Volcan also attended the June 13 event. They shared their positive testimonials after XLIF surgery and inspired hope for other pre-operative patients in attendance.
Read more about the event from The Augusta Chronicle:
Ex-NBA star Bill Walton, former MMA star Nate Quarry are models of success for spinal surgery
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