A Setback After Peak Performance

“In April 2023, I played in the U.S. Open Pickleball Championships in Naples,” he explains. “The following year, I had a hip replacement which temporarily took me off the court. By 2025, I was fully recovered and eager to play again.”

That year, Sarkis elevated his game, improving his rating from 3.0 to 3.98. His love for the sport made it difficult to step away.

“After several hours of play, I would tell my friends I needed to head home, but they would always convince me to stay for just one more game,” he says. “It’s incredibly addictive.”

Sudden Onset of Lower Back and Leg Pain

After a long day of playing pickleball, Sarkis stopped to pick up a propane tank on his way home. While lifting it into his car, he felt an unusual sensation in his lower back but did not think much of it at the time.

The next morning, he woke up in severe pain.

“I saw a Chicago-area spine physician who ordered an MRI,” Sarkis explains. “He found that my L4 and L5 vertebrae had slipped, causing significant pain in my buttocks and left leg.”

Despite two epidural injections, his pain persisted, forcing him to stop playing pickleball entirely.

Exploring Spine Surgery Options

Determined to find relief, Sarkis began researching spine specialists in Chicago.

One surgeon recommended spinal fusion, a procedure that would limit mobility and extend recovery time. Another recommended a TOPS procedure, which involves decompression and placement of a mechanical implant.

While both were viable options, Sarkis remained concerned about preserving his mobility and returning to an active lifestyle.

Finding the Right Surgeon and Treatment Plan

Still searching for answers, Sarkis discovered Dr. Arash Sayari, a minimally invasive spine surgeon at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush.

“We talked in depth about my goals and my passion for pickleball,” Sarkis says. “Dr. Sayari explained a minimally invasive laminectomy that would relieve pressure on my spine without requiring hardware. Most importantly, it would preserve my range of motion.”

“Sarkis was an excellent candidate for a minimally invasive laminectomy given his stable spine and desire to remain active,” Dr. Sayari explains. “Advanced imaging confirmed that we could avoid spinal fusion.”

Confident in the plan, Sarkis moved forward with surgery at Rush University Medical Center and returned home the same day.

“I even stopped for a hamburger and fries on the way home,” he says.

Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery and Recovery

“Surgery was seamless,” Dr. Sayari says. “Every step was carefully planned to decompress the spine through a 16-millimeter incision. Once the nerves were freed, I was confident he would have a successful outcome.”

Just one month after surgery, Sarkis began physical therapy. Soon after, he traveled to Portugal with his wife, where he walked daily and gradually returned to normal activity with minimal discomfort.

Returning to Pickleball Pain-Free

Three months after surgery, Sarkis was completely pain-free and back on the pickleball court.

By five months post-surgery, he had returned to competition, earning a silver medal in a tournament.

“I’m back to normal now,” Sarkis says. “Actually, I feel better than normal.” He credits Dr. Sayari and the team at Midwest Orthopaedics at Rush for his recovery.

“Dr. Sayari told me he would take care of me like I was his father, and he truly did.”