30/09/2026
For Nick, an active dad of two, sport has always been a big part of life. But what started as back and leg pain became something much more serious, affecting his ability to exercise, spend time with his family, and enjoy the things he loved most.
"My recovery time began to take longer, effective treatments became harder to find, and my symptoms got worse," says Nick. "It was beginning to severely limit my activities. I was missing out on things with my boys, couldn’t do my regular exercise, and it was affecting my wider health."
With his pain having such an impact on his life, Nick saw an orthopaedic surgeon to get to the root of the problem. An MRI and CT scan showed that his L5-S1 disc, the lowest cushion in the spine, was fused, and his L4-5 vertebrae had slipped, compressing a nerve root in his spine.
The surgeon presented Nick with multiple treatment options, including physiotherapy, injections and surgery. While physiotherapy and injections could have delayed Nick’s need for surgery, they didn’t offer a permanent solution.
With reservations about back surgery, Nick sought advice and was recommended getting second opinion from Professor David Choi, a neurosurgeon at The Wellington Hospital. After getting a referral, Nick discussed his treatment options with Professor Choi, who clearly laid out the benefits of surgery.
“It was clear very quickly that he excels as a neurosurgeon, and I knew I’d found the leading expert I needed!”
Nick arranged his surgery at The Wellington Hospital for eight weeks after his initial appointment, letting him fit it around his busy schedule.
“When I came round after the surgery, all the pain had gone,” Nick recalls. “The surgery has been completely life-changing. The severity of my pain was only truly clear when it was gone.
“The treatment and support I received during treatment, recovery in hospital and discharge have been outstanding.
“The kindness and care provided by the nurses and physios who, quite literally, got me back on my feet afterwards is something that will stay with me long after I am fully recovered.”
