Back troubles derail Roger Heinz

Posted Apr 7, 2006

Disc degeneration, a common disorder of the lower spine, is a normal part of aging. It will affect most people and is generally not a problem by itself. Roger Heinz wishes his prognosis was as simple. There are days when Heinz, a junior at North Carolina, suffers from severe back and leg pain, has difficulty standing or walking and experiences weakness or numbness in his legs while sitting in class due to rapid disc degeneration. "I am 21 with the lower back of a 70-year-old," Heinz said. (Tallahassee Democrat)

Related: Football, Football Recruiting

Preview: Expectations mount for UNC's fall sports in 2026
With top goal scorers Ryleigh Heck and Dani Mendez graduating, UNC field hockey will need to fill offensive gaps. Stepping into her fourth year as...
Mon Jun 8, 2026

UNC Football Opponent Snapshot: Miami
After a complex offseason where former Duke quarterback Darian Mensah publicly committed to return to the Blue Devils before entering the transfer portal and signing...
Mon Jun 8, 2026

Newsletter: Diamond Heels to Omaha, Wei Lin Update, ACC-SEC Challenge, Two Football Commits
UNC Baseball is headed back to Omaha for the College World Series, Michael Malone and Carolina Basketball is pursuing another point guard, ACC-SEC Challenge matchups...
Mon Jun 8, 2026

Titans LB Cedric Gray Aiming to be a More Complete Player in Year 3
Cedric Gray made a big jump from Year 1 to Year 2. Now, the Titans linebacker wants to take things to another level. "The biggest...
Sun Jun 7, 2026