Doctor: Manning should recover quickly

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - The Colts say quarterback Peyton Manning recently underwent a procedure to relieve neck pain he suffered due to a pinched nerve.

Pinched nerves are a fairly common problem that doctors see in athletes and the elderly. There's pain and sometimes tingling and numbness.

A Colts statement Wednesday said Manning has had intermittent problems with the pinched nerve for years.

Manning's doctor is Richard Fessler, a neurosurgeon on the Northwestern Medical Faculty in Chicago. Fessler specializes in minimally invasive spinal surgery.

Jeff Ryg, a physical therapist at Methodist Hospital, said there's a good chance Manning's already experiencing relief.

"It depends on the procedure they did. Usually quick relief. I would imagine that they did a more conservative treatment trying to get him back to play as soon as possible."

• To hear more from Dr. Ryg regarding Manning's type of ailment, watch the video available in the left margin of the story.
   

A pinched nerve occurs when too much pressure is applied to a nerve by surrounding tissues such as bones, cartilage, muscles or tendons. Ibuprofen helps but it's seldom a cure.

"Initially he'll be in a period of rest," said Ryg. "Just trying to let the area recover from the surgery or operation. Then he'll start with range of motion and stretching in preparation to return to conditioning practice."

The surgery should prevent any permanent problems.

Ryg is confident he'll be back on the field.

"He's being taken care of by the best: our Colts athletic training staff and medical doctors there."

In their statement, the Colts said "the issue has been resolved," and Peyton be back to the Colt's offseason program this spring.