For many active individuals, chronic pain can be a life-altering obstacle. Alton, an avid cyclist and yoga enthusiast, faced exactly that challenge when debilitating back pain took him away from the activities he loved. After exhausting every possible remedy — from stretching to stem cell treatments — without success, he knew it was time to seek expert care. That decision led him to Dr. Nick Jain at DISC Sports & Spine Center, where his journey back to being pain free, doing what he loves, truly began.
VIDEO: Hear from Alton and Dr. Jain about his experience overcoming chronic pain at DISC.
The DISC Patient Journey
“I was desperate. My back was at a spot where I tried every other remedy and it wasn’t working. I was doing yoga, I tried stem cells, you name it, I tried it and it wasn’t working,” Alton said.
Recognizing that he could no longer push through the pain he was feeling, he decided to consult with an orthopedic surgeon. Upon meeting Dr. Jain, he immediately felt confident that he was in the right hands.
“Dr. Nick Jain instantly made me feel confident that the guys at DISC knew what they were doing,” Alton said.
Dr. Jain and the team at DISC took a strategic approach to Alton’s treatment. Rather than jumping straight to a spinal fusion, they first performed a minimally invasive microlaminectomy. The goal was to alleviate pressure on his nerves and provide relief without requiring a more extensive procedure.
Dr. Jain's Minimally Invasive Approach
“Alton’s quality of life had really diminished because he couldn't do his primary hobby, but he really wasn't interested in a more significant surgery initially because he was so busy and didn’t want to go through a long recovery time period,” Dr. Jain said. “We started off with the small procedure to better fit his lifestyle and we were able to alleviate a lot of his pain and symptoms of sciatica and radicular pain with just one minimally-invasive outpatient decompression.”
Even though the initial surgery was successful Alton’s symptoms gradually returned over time. His leg pain, which had already severely impacted his ability to cycle, was once again unbearable. It became clear that they needed to fix it once and for all to take care of the real problem, which was the collapsed disc and foraminal stenosis, Dr. Jain said.
Alton made the decision to move forward with the fusion surgery, and looking back, his only regret is not doing it sooner. After his procedure, he underwent a structured recovery process, allowing his body the time it needed to heal properly. The results were nothing short of life-changing.
Returning to an Active Life, Pain Free
“It’s like night and day. I’m so happy to be back on the bike,” Alton shared. “And my yoga practice is back—I’m twisting, bending, and doing backbends, all the things I wasn’t doing for a couple of years. I’m back on the floor with the kids and the cats, and that’s just delightful.”
Alton attributes his success not just to the surgery itself, but to the entire team at DISC. From Dr. Jain to the scrub techs, he said the team at DISC is comprised of highly competent professionals that made him feel confident and cared for throughout his surgery and recovery process.
When pain begins to dictate your life, seeking help from an expert orthopedic surgeon can be the key to reclaiming your quality of life and returning to the hobbies you love. Today, Alton is back to cycling long distances, practicing yoga, and embracing an active lifestyle—proof that the right treatment can make all the difference.
Dr. Jain is a board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic spine surgeon who is actively involved in researching new, motion-preserving techniques for treating chronic degenerative spine conditions. He is Southern California’s leading expert on Intracept back surgery, which has been a game changer for many patients suffering from low back pain. A trailblazer in his field, Dr. Jain provides the full range of treatment options for the back and neck.
If you're struggling with chronic pain and searching for a path forward, schedule a consultation with Dr. Jain or another one of the leading surgeons at DISC Sports & Spine Center.
