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With Sciatic Pain, He Couldn’t Even Tie His Shoes. How This Professional Pickleball Player Got Back in the Game

March 16, 2022

When Scott Trevethan isn’t working, you can usually find him either on the golf course or competing in professional pickleball. Until about a year ago, that is, when he was suddenly sidelined due to excruciating pain.

“I had sciatic numbness and sharp pain down the sides of my legs and incredible pain in my back,” he said. “It got to the point where I couldn’t even tie my own shoes and that’s when I knew I had to do something.”

He met with a nutritionist and a chiropractor, but they were unsuccessful in finding a solution to Scott’s symptoms and pain.

A New Game Plan

Trevethan’s journey through the Hartford HealthCare system of care began at Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation. He scheduled an appointment with Dr. Subramani Seetharama, Chief of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation and Medical Director at The Hospital of Central Connecticut Spine Center.

Working with Dr. Seetharma, Trevethan went through a full evaluation, including a physical examination and imaging. It wasn’t long before Seetharama determined Trevethan had two herniated discs and recommended injections in the spine and physical therapy for Scott.

Dinking Discomfort

Following the injections, Trevethan started physical therapy at Hartford HealthCare’s Bone & Joint Institute. He worked closely with Stefanie Bourassa, Sports Medicine Program Manager, to improve how he moved athletically, his overall strength, flexibility, mobility and agility.

“Within four visits his pain was gone, and the focus was on restoring his athletic abilities,” said Bourassa. “It wasn’t long before he was out playing competitive pickleball and tennis again and was able to transition his care to a routine at home.”

Team Trevethan

Scott is thankful for the team of health experts who got him to this point: “Not only am I pain free, but I’m back to the physical condition and weight that I was in college,” he said. “I went from ill and broken – to better than I used to be.”