For professional soccer players, every match is an opportunity to make an impact. But when a season is interrupted by an injury, success starts being measured not by goals and wins, but by the determination to return stronger than before.
For Sebastian Tragarthen, a midfielder for Birmingham Legion FC and native of Uruguay, that challenge came after suffering a fractured radius during the 2025 season. The injury required surgery the following day, immediately shifting his focus from competition to recovery.
“The injury kept me out of training and competition for several months while I recovered,” said Tregarthen. “It definitely affected my performance because I had to step away from the field, focus on healing, and gradually rebuild my strength and mobility before returning to play.”
While his momentum was temporarily stunted, he found confidence in the care of the UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine team.
“Dr. Momaya and Rachel Gordon (Legion FC Athletic Trainer) made a huge impact throughout my recovery. They stayed in constant communication with me, closely monitored my progress with follow-up evaluations, and guided me through mobility and strength exercises. Their support and attention to detail gave me confidence throughout the entire recovery process.”
From surgery to rehabilitation, Tregarthen’s UAB care team developed a personalized recovery plan, designed to safely return him to competition and incorporating exercises that allowed him to build strength while protecting his arm.
"My recovery was gradual, and I followed each step of the process," he said. "Today, I'm back playing soccer normally, and the experience has made me appreciate the importance of patience, proper rehabilitation, and taking care of my body."
"My experience with the UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine team was outstanding," Tregarthen said. "Everything happened quickly, from my surgery to my rehabilitation plan, and I always felt supported. Everyone genuinely cared about helping me recover the right way and return to the field as soon as it was safe."
Now back on the pitch, Tregarthen says the experience changed more than just his physical health, it changed his perspective entirely. As one of Birmingham Legion FC’s rising stars, he has already earned recognition early in his professional career, including multiple USL Championship Team of the Week selections and two Birmingham Legion Goal of the Month awards this season.
For athletes facing a similar injury, he offers meaningful advice to a successful recovery.
“Be patient and trust the process. Listen to your doctors and the people helping you through your recovery. Every injury takes time to heal, but if you stay committed and do the work, you'll come back stronger. The most important thing is not to rush the process—your time to get back on the field will come."
"I'm very grateful to everyone at UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine for helping me through one of the toughest moments of my career," he said. "Their professionalism and support made a huge difference, and I'm thankful to be back doing what I love."
Why trust your recovery with UAB?
UAB Sports & Exercise Medicine is the official medical provider for Birmingham Legion FC and has been a proud partner since 2019. Amit Momaya, M.D., associate professor and chief of Sports & Exercise Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, is the only physician in Alabama to be included on the US Soccer Federation Preferred Provider List.