Alabama's Staley Undergoes Successful Back Surgery

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Alabama's Staley Undergoes Successful Back Surgery

12/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Soccer

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Don Staley

Alabama head soccer coach Don Staley underwent successful Lumbar Spinal Fusion Thursday morning at Caraway Hospital in Birmingham, Ala.

Dr. Evan Zeiger performed the procedure that removed a disk from Staley’s back. Staley had been in pain throughout the 2004 season that saw his team advance to the postseason for the first time since 1998.

“The pain just came from old injuries,” said Staley. “I had pain all year but wanted to wait until after the season was over before I had the surgery.”

According to doctors the surgery went better than expected. Staley will be released from the hospital this weekend and is expected to make a complete recovery in two to three months.