I had back surgery five years ago that involved fusing three vertebrae to relieve pressure on the nerve tube. It was the worst surgery that I've experienced and I have a titanium hip, titanium left shoulder. I had two torn muscles in my right shoulder repaired. I've had bladder surgery. I just had surgery on my right big toe to straighten it out. Sorry to go on but I just wanted to emphasize that back surgery is incredibly painful and takes every ounce of fortitude to recover from. If he's playing basketball again, we have ourselves a tough, hard-working young man. I wish him well!