Gabriel Rondos

I injured my back during the pandemic. I thought I'd pulled a muscle, but it turned out to be more serious - a crushed disc pushing on the nerve that runs down my legs. As a former athlete and coach, exercise and fitness was a big part of my life. That part was taken away from me with this injury as any exercise, even walking for too long, would strain my back and shoot pain down my legs. After running through nonsurgical options, I ended up in Dr. Lovecchio's office ready for a permanent fix.

I got an ALIF procedure and it couldn't have gone better. Within a few days I was off pain medication and a few days later I was able to take short walks and climb my apartment building staircase. In only six weeks, I was back in the gym rebuilding my core strength without any of the pain I'd had before the surgery. In the past year since I got the surgery I've been on multiple surf trips, hiked mountains, and run a half marathon. I live without pain, having regained complete ability to move around exercise.

Overall I'm very happy with the special surgery that I received. The impact on both my physical and mental health has been huge.