OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports' Dr. Bradly Goodman Helps Olympic Sprinter Return From Chronic Back Pain

After spending a year sidelined by debilitating low-back pain following the 2024 Olympic Games, Ugandan Olympic sprinter and student-athlete at The University of Alabama Tarsis Orogot has returned to running after undergoing the Intracept procedure with Dr. Bradly Goodman, interventional pain specialist and physical medicine and rehabilitation doctor at OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports.

Orogot, who won his heat during the 2024 Olympic Games, first noticed intense tightness and numbness in his glute immediately after competing. Initially believing it was normal fatigue from sprinting, his symptoms continued to worsen. An MRI later revealed mild desiccation of the L5-S1 disc, resulting in severe vertebrogenic low-back pain and sciatica that radiated down his left leg.

The pain quickly affected every aspect of his daily life.

"I couldn't sit for long, stand for long, climb stairs or even attend class comfortably," said Orogot. "I'm an athlete, and I couldn't even climb stairs."

For eight months, Orogot pursued conservative treatment, including injections and rehabilitation, but found no lasting relief. He was eventually referred to Dr. Goodman at OrthoAlabama Spine & Sports, where he was diagnosed with vertebrogenic pain caused by a small disc tear and inflammation affecting the vertebral endplates.

Although traditional spine surgery was discussed, it would likely have prevented Orogot from returning to elite sprinting.

"He could potentially undergo surgery and alleviate his pain, but he would never sprint again," said Dr. Goodman. "The Intracept procedure offered an opportunity to treat the source of his pain while preserving the structures necessary for high-level athletic performance."

Dr. Goodman, a pioneer in interventional spine care, was the first doctor in the United States to perform the Intracept procedure following its commercial release. The minimally invasive procedure targets the basivertebral nerve, which transmits pain signals from damaged vertebral endplates, without affecting surrounding muscles, discs or spinal stability.

"I often describe it as being similar to a root canal for the spine," Dr. Goodman said. "Rather than removing or fusing anything, we're treating the nerve responsible for transmitting the pain."

Recovery required patience. During the first month after the procedure, Orogot noticed little improvement and questioned whether it had worked. Over time, however, the numbness gradually resolved, his radiating leg pain faded and his back pain significantly improved.

"The Intracept treatment was the turning point for me," Orogot said. "It gave me the opportunity to get back to doing what I love."

Today, Orogot has returned to running and is training with the goal of competing once again at the Olympic level.

"This is exactly why we continue to advance minimally invasive treatment options," Dr. Goodman said. "Helping patients return to the activities that define their lives, whether that's competing on the world stage or simply living without chronic pain, is incredibly rewarding."

Patients experiencing chronic vertebrogenic low-back pain that has not improved with conservative treatment may be candidates for the Intracept procedure. To learn more or schedule an appointment with Dr. Goodman, please call 205-228-7600 or visit www.orthoalabama.com.