Tackling Triumph
The Super Bowl Champions Who Rose From The Operating Table
Hello, fellow football enthusiasts!
As a spine surgeon, my daily life revolves around the intricate world of spinal health and well-being. However, with Super Bowl fever reaching its peak, I can't help but share my excitement for the upcoming clash of titans on the gridiron. It’s one of my favorite holidays because it revolves around one of my favorite things to do on a Sunday - watch football! Also, on Christmas and Chanukah, you wind up seeing people that you are obliged to see, such as family members with whom you have nothing in common and only see once a year, while on Super Bowl Sunday you see people you actually want to see and only get one opportunity a year. The Super Bowl is America’s showcase cultural icon, and the rest of the world sees it as the quintessential example of American entertainment. There are no barriers or exclusions as to who can enjoy Super Bowl Sunday and try out recipes while enjoying your favorite cold beverage.
But as a spine surgeon, I see it differently. I realized last year as I saw the Kansas City Chiefs beat my beloved Philadelphia Eagles, that every year I spend at least the first quarter of the game looking at the players who have returned to the field after neck or back surgery and explaining to my guests what the surgery involved, how the player healed so fast, and the type of aftercare that even allowed their return to play. I love discussing the player’s conditions because it's a teachable moment - it allows me to point out in real life how successful surgical outcomes are when protocols are followed and performed by talented surgeons.
I have returned a few football players to the high school and college fields in my career, and I am very familiar with the long road back to the sideline. Let me emphasize that no matter how spectacular a surgeon’s skill, returning to a high-impact sport of any kind, let alone professional football, requires uncommon dedication, perseverance, and endurance by the player-turned-patient-turned-player again. To return to the stadium requires grit far beyond conventional rehabilitation, and it's worth celebrating.
While many may associate back surgery with potential career-ending setbacks, the Super Bowl has witnessed its fair share of remarkable comebacks from players who have triumphed over spinal challenges.
Let's dive into the thrilling narrative of how some football legends, including the iconic Peyton Manning, defied the odds, underwent successful back surgeries, and not only returned to the field but also secured their spots in Super Bowl history.
Peyton Manning: A Legendary Comeback From a Legendary Quarterback
Few stories resonate as powerfully in the world of football and spinal surgery as that of Peyton Manning. The four-time Super Bowl participant and two-time champion faced a career crossroads when a neck injury prompted a series of surgeries. There were doubts about whether Manning could reclaim his status as one of the league's premier quarterbacks.
After meticulous rehabilitation and adhering to a comprehensive post-surgery protocol, Manning not only returned to the field, but he led the Denver Broncos to victory in Super Bowl 50. His triumphant comeback is a testament to the advancements in spinal surgery and rehabilitation protocols that have transformed potential career-ending injuries into manageable challenges.
Modern Protocols: The Backbone of Success
In recent years, we've witnessed a growing number of NFL players successfully returning to the game after undergoing back surgery. The key to their success lies not only in the surgical procedures themselves but also in the comprehensive rehabilitation protocols that follow. These protocols, tailored to each athlete's unique needs, focus on strengthening the core, improving flexibility, and gradually reintroducing them to the physical demands of their sport.
Today's spine surgery techniques, combined with advancements in postoperative care, have significantly enhanced the success rates of returning athletes to peak performance. The meticulous planning and execution of rehabilitation programs play a pivotal role in ensuring a player's readiness to resume playing at the highest level.
NFL Stars Defying the Odds
As we approach the Super Bowl this year, it's inspiring to see current NFL players who have overcome back surgery challenges and are set to showcase their skills on the grand stage. These athletes serve as living proof that when approached with the right surgical techniques and rehabilitation strategies, back surgery is not a career-ending obstacle.
One notable example is former San Francisco 49er Trent Taylor, who in 2018 underwent successful back surgery during the offseason. Despite initial concerns, Taylor not only returned to the field but has delivered standout performances. He went on to play for the Cincinnati Bengals and then the Chicago Bears this season, proving that a well-executed surgical plan coupled with dedicated rehabilitation can yield exceptional results.
Of course, Rob Gronkowski is another remarkable case. In 2016, following his third successful procedure to address a disc herniation (his first was in college!), Gronk returned the following year, and we all know what happened next… Gronk won his fifth Pro Bowl in 2017 and the Super Bowl in 2018 with the New England Patriots. For mere mortals, that would have been enough, but he continued to play and went on to win the 2020 Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While I suspect playing under Tom Brady’s leadership can be uniquely motivating, Gronk displayed remarkable resilience and set an example for every athlete patient that walks into my office. These success stories highlight the effectiveness of modern spine surgery when combined with a commitment to postoperative rehabilitation, something that is easy to forget when a patient faces the difficult weeks ahead.
Championing a Comprehensive Approach
As a spine surgeon, I feel pride as I am compelled to witness these athletes conquer not only their physical challenges but also the doubts that surround post-surgery comebacks. The success of players like Peyton Manning and the current stars of the NFL underscores the importance of a comprehensive approach to spine health.
In my practice, I often emphasize the significance of collaboration between surgeons, physical therapists, and the athletes themselves. A tailored surgical plan, meticulous execution in the operating room, and a dedicated postoperative rehabilitation program form the trifecta of success in overcoming back-related challenges. When I am treating an athlete of any kind, I rattle off the NFL heroes who can serve as inspiration and proof that my patient can and will get better and a return to the field is not only possible but probable. It's a bit like telling the nervous passenger in the seat next to you on a plane: “Don’t worry, you are safe. We’ve been to the moon, you know…”
But seriously, a landmark NIH study published in the Ortho Journal of Sports Medicine and found here in the National Library of Medicine found the following results which are excerpted directly from the study:
A total of 27 ACDFs were performed on 26 professional athletes: 12 National Football League athletes, 5 National Hockey League athletes, 5 Major League Baseball athletes, 3 National Basketball Association athletes, and 1 Major League Soccer athlete. Twenty-six procedures (96.3%) showed clinical and radiographic evidence of fusion, and 20 of 25 eligible players returned to play (80%). At the conclusion of this study, 2 players were still in the rehabilitation phase and expected to return at the start of the next season. The mean time to return to play in a professional game was 9.5 months (range, 5.0-20.2 months). Of 15 players who returned to play but had retired by the time of this study, the mean career length after fusion was 3.2 years (range, 0.1-8.0 years). Clinical follow-up ranged from 1 to 96 months, with a mean of 22.1 months and mode of 11 months.
As we gear up for another exhilarating Super Bowl, let's celebrate not only the incredible athleticism displayed on the field but also the triumphs over adversity that many players have achieved through successful back surgeries. These stories are a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the remarkable advances in spinal surgery and rehabilitation protocols. These players aspired to be the best in the world and succeeded. Their surgeons were skilled masters that enabled them to continue scoring touchdowns and those surgeons inspire me. This Super Bowl, let those players who have turned their surgical comebacks into unforgettable moments in football history inspire your recovery journey as well.