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Elena is a professional tennis player, currently ranked number 3 in the UK and with a WTA world ranking of 135. Problem: Severe sciatica and back pain |
I was diagnosed with a prolapsed disc (L5/S1) in February 2006 and had severe sciatic pains down my left leg. I tried to continue playing Tennis in extreme pain but had to stop in May since the sciatic pain had got so bad I could barely walk.
I had keyhole surgery by Mr Boeree that year in June and it was completely successful. I was no longer in any pain what so ever!!
The staff at Nuffield Hospital Hampshire looked after me really well and I could tell was in very good hands!! The physiotherapy was excellent. I started my re-hab 2 weeks after surgery and hit my 1st Tennis ball 4 weeks after surgery.
I took a total of 9 months out of competition and my WTA World Ranking dropped from 130 to 960! But I regained my fitness and quickly got back into competing. Its now been just under a year since my 1st tournament back and my ranking has moved back up to 165. My back is doing extremely well and have only had a few niggles now and again. Overall the back has been really good and I have had no further sciatica.
I’m really delighted that I went ahead with the surgery and want to thank Nick Boeree and his staff for everything that they have done for me!!
I’ve just started a new training programme and feel that this could be a very exciting year ahead for me!!!
Many Thanks again
Regards
Elena Baltacha
(Elena has continued to do well and, as many will know, she made it through to the second round of Wimbledon this year)