Is This The End for Ben Simmons?

Just had my second discectomy at 48. first one was at 25. I am a long time basketball playing junkie, obviously not at the level of Mr. Simmons. I can tell you that unequivocally the pain I was in prior to the surgeries was the worst I've had in my life. I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. I am wishing him a full and functional recovery. Playing basketball is not the only thing in life. I would hate to see him suffer with back pain beyond his basketball career.

I’m seeing a complete dearth of empathy in these comments. Friendly reminder that these health issues can happen to anyone, and nobody deserves back issues. Wishing him a speedy recovery and big shoutout to Dr. Sutterer for combining so many educational media in this video. We are truly blessed beyond measure for this content. Med students pay hundreds thousands for lectures of this caliber.

After years of playing basketball and 20+ years doing industrial maintenance. My back acts up every six months to where you can barely sit up. It hurts so bad let me tell you. Pain isn't a strong enough word lol

I am 36 and have had two discectomies on the lower three discs. I have been in lots of pain the last few weeks so just had another MRI. This video hits very close to home. I have herniations again with the loss of space and fluids in the discs. My doctor mentioned a fusion and disc replacement but said on three levels the outcome isn’t always great. So for now I am going to try and pain manage and hopefully get some relief that way. Back pain is the absolute worst. I couldn’t imagine playing in the nba with these issues. Some days I don’t want to even get out of bed.

As someone who is not an athlete but who has numerous bulged discs, cervical,, thoracic and lumbar degenerative arthritis and already had c5-c7 ACDF, I feel for Ben Simmons! Back pain and nerve impingement is a horrible thing for anyone let alone a professional athlete to deal with. I hope he can get it treated and still be able to play. As a 76ers fan, I wish him the best.

Does anyone remember when most of the internet was claiming he was faking this injury to get out of playing? People really tried to argue this was "minor surgery" knowing absolutely nothing about back injuries apparently. This is truly the best and smartest country

You teach so much while being entertaining. One of my favorite channels on any platform. Appreciate you and your effort on every video

This is a great breakdown. I’ve been waiting this video. Can you add a video going over the impact of scar tissue on these types of surgeries?

I herniated my back years ago. Went thru the same reoccurring issues. Hard to walk , didn’t want to sit because of how hard it was to stand back up. Started working on Strengthening and lengthening my back with some diet changes ( Added more water content and less dry foods) changed my life.

I have the same thing in my neck and nerve pain is no joke! Ben Simmons should be left alone, i know it aint easy what his going through

3:14 ''if you have an L4 or L5 disk herniation...'' Me watching this while in bed from ridiculous radiculopathy in L4, and on Naproxen 😭

I don't think Michael Porter Jr. Is quite the same had he not had those injuries and that's something to consider.

I love this account. So informative.

This is a scary injury.

Wonder how he passed his physical when he got traded to the Nets

Let me explain this: if you have never experienced a ruptured disc and to where it is touching a spinal branch then don't say anything. That is one injury that I never want to experience again. I'd rather be paralyzed

Thank you for all the informative information Dr. Sutterer, as a fan of Ben Simmons as an NBA athlete it was interesting to learn more about the type of surgery he is about to go through. I wish him a good recovery and hopefully a successful return to where he can atleast enjoy playing basketball again if he chooses too.

I learned so much from this video! I love your content and watch it regularly, but this might be the most I’ve learned from one standalone video! What causes these disc herniations? Is it that he did a particular motion that was harmful over time, or do these tend to be more acute issues?

Ive been suffering with this in 2 discs for 28 years in L4 L5, I was too young for surgery 18 years ago i wonder when i will be too old for surgery, ill be 50 soon, and im so much worse than i was 18 years ago, and am better off dead at this point. My pelvic floor, numbness in my hip, sciatic pain from my back to my foot, and now my knee is fucking up. Thanks canadian medical system. Ive lost just about everything due to this. I wish i was nba rich person. And before anyone says it on me, i have done everything, every physio, pelvic specialist, epidurals, disc injections, pelvic floor manipulation ( guess how that works) i have given up.

Doctor, could you do a video on disc replacement? I haven't heard about many cases of that in the sports world; have you?