Herniated disc in the L4/L5 region??

[PJ-Hunter]

I just got diagnosed with this problem/injury! I was wondering who, if any, of you, have had or have this problem and what was done to correct it and how long you were out of the sport that you loved to do.

The doc wants to start with Epiderral shots and Physical Therapy and if that doesn't work, then surgery. Frankly all of it scares the chit outta me. I don't wanna lose my back at all, but I don't wanna give up riding bikes, ATVs and sleds either!

What did you guys do or what are you doing to make things better?

I'm Scared! Help me out!

Thanks,
PJ

 

[Mafesto]

Ralph,
Is this a recent injury?
Old injury?
or something that's always bothered & is getting worse with age?

Over 15 years ago I compressed something (don't remember what) on a jump landing.
It has always hurt since.
I originally wanted to have the fusion surgery, the wife talked me out of it.
I think she was right.
Mine is manageable.
The better physical condition I stay in the less it bothers.
Stretching & crunches minimize the problem. (stronger gut helps alot)
Lack of physical activity bothers as bad as anything. (laying around on weekends, etc)

Give PT a chance before going under the knife.

 

[T-Bone]

I had pretty much the same thing for about 5 years now. All the doctors said the same stuff (epideral shots, physical therepy, and surgery). I did the physical therepy for about a year. Surgery didn't seem like a good option because the doctor basically told me I'd be laid up for decent amount of time with no guarantee of being any better off than I am now.

I took 2 years off from sledding (although not really because of the injury). Now, I just deal with it. Staying active REALLY helps. Aleve/Advil helps. Keep your gut in check. That's the best advice I can give you.

 

[Mcx Nytro]

Did they do a ct scan or mri? You need to know how bad it is before doing anything..If it has not buldged to bad there are machines that work your back to allow this to recede back into place. (It will take time) If it is to far gone the operation to shave the disc is not bad at all. I would worry more about mrsa infection than the surgery. I had a fusion done in Dec but infection set in a that resulted in 3 more surgeries for the spinal infection. I also had back surgery in 02 shaving the discs and a lamenectomy and it healed great. If i can help anymore PM me.....Terry

 

[Adrenaline Revolution]

As has been said a few times here, KEEP YOURSELF AS FIT AS POSSIBLE Ok, I'll quit yelling!
If you can keep yourself in the best shape you can acheive you will have much less pain.
I would run away from those damn shots. They are a band aid, that's all, don't do it.
As far as the surgery goes...I had to have it done because I did not keep fit.
I ended up losing the feeling and strength in my left leg so not getting the surgery was not an option at that point. I regained the feeling and use of my leg but I still have some pain. I'm stuck with that forever now but life goes on.

If you ened up getting worked on you will only be laid up for about a week after the work is done but no sledding or dirt bikes for at least 4 months unless you have the self controll to go slow and VERY easy over the bumps.
Forget about the jumps for a while !

start working out and get used to the idea that it is part of your everyday routine from now on.
Good luck.

 

[PJ-Hunter]

1) It's been nagging me as numbing pain in the right leg for 5-6 months. Don't know what caused it.

2) Found it through an MRI.

3) I am not in the best shape but not the worst either! I plan on losing about 20-30 pounds to help out the cause, I just don't know how, that is what the doc is gonna help me with Friday (he called me earlier today)

4) I can't quit riding. Sport riding (snow and dirt) is my passion. I know of guys who have been in worse positions and still ride. I just want to be able to heal and do it at the level that I enjoy to do it at. Thanks so far!

 

[Mafesto]

Aleve/Advil helps.

BINGO!!
When I'm working the back (playing or work) I will go through Naproxin (Aleve) like Pez candy!

I prefer Naproxin as it is an anti-inflamitory.

 

[bigbull]

Injury same here in the same spot L5. Told all the same things. Still ride hard, try to avoid impacts. Exercise the muscle area well, use inversion boots when I can. Trying accupuncture, it helped with my knee a few years back. Stay active and lose a little wight off the gut. I am workin on the gut now. If I could just give up the beer......
BB

 

[Tuesday]

Find yourself a good Chiropractor. There is a technique called cox flexion/distraction that could possible assist in your problem. So many variables come into play where/when/how long/life hazards etc. Very hard to give accurate advice without knowing all the details.

If you have questions shoot me a PM.


<--------Chiro

 

[dpsnodno]

Ruptured the disc between my L4 and L5 April 21st of last year doing log work. Doctor told me to lay around and ice pack on ice pack off. Ten days of that BS and I couldn't take it anymore and wanted to do something a little more pro active. Saw a chiro and after a couple of visits he was able to get the pain thing down to minimal, took the pressure off the disc. He gave me a couple of excersizes to do to strengthen my lower abs. If you can keep your stomach muscles in shape you will have far less problems with your back. Missed about a month of work before going back to light duty for a couple of months. Been good since, ride as hard as I ever have.

Good Luck with yours. Best advice: 1)Take it easy for awhile. If you keep lifting and crap like your used to it can keep bulging and not heal right. Give it a chance to heal a bit then work it back to where you were before it happened. Just don't try to do everything right away - it does take a little time. 2)Get a "BackThing" from R.U. Outside (about $70) and wear it while you are lifting anything other than a cold one for awhile. Helps hold the heat in around the muscles in your back and keep them from getting as tight. Again, Good luck.

 

[LM.]

I had the surgery done back in '93. For me it was the best thing. Since then I go to a Chiro on a regular basis. I also weight train and cycle. Stretching and cycling has been the best thing for me. Keep your abs tight, strong, and stay limber. My surgery was done in July, I was riding by Christmas. I would suggest a secound opinion and go to a nuerologist or nuero surgeon, along with seeing a Chiro. Get your MRI or CT scan done so you have a better picture of what is going on. When picking nuero surgon get the best one in you area. Better yet find one that specializes on althletics, they seem to understand the needs of active poeple much better. I never had the shots so I can not speak as to how or if they work. I have heard both sides. Do you homework, and research. Try all alternatives that you feel comfortable with then use surgery as the last resort. Surgery today is alot different then when I had it. I have a big 6" scar down my back (L5). Today all they do is make a small 2" cut and do the trimming with a scope. Recovery is alot easier and shorter. If you do wind up with surgery be a good boy and do everything the DR. tells you.

I had a friend that had the same surgery as I did. He went back to work after 2 weeks, used pain killers to mask the pain. In 6 months he was back in for a fusion. More pain killers, back in for another fusion, more pain killers. He got hooked on the pills, then started on adding alcohol. Ate his insides apart, he died last fall.........

 

[Ultra]

I had a friend that had the same surgery as I did. He went back to work after 2 weeks, used pain killers to mask the pain. In 6 months he was back in for a fusion. More pain killers, back in for another fusion, more pain killers. He got hooked on the pills, then started on adding alcohol. Ate his insides apart, he died last fall.........[/QUOTE]

Thats about the worst story I've heard of.
Had the surgery exactly 2 years ago, L5S1, had left leg pain down to my ankle. Smartest thing I've done. Excellent results due to finding an excellent doctor. Top in the NW area.
The shots sounded pretty hokey to me, wanted no part of them.
Was referred by a NUCCA chrio who is also top in his field.
Get a second opinion and find a doctor who has done a lot of them, you will be fine. Follow doctors orders to the "T".
Full recovery "good as new" is over a year. Light duty is 60 to 90 days.

 

[onlyrotax]

No Problem

Had disc surgery 2 years ago next week, fought back spasms and pain for many years I wish I had done the surgery a long time ago. I would try the therapy and maybe a bone cruncher but I would not do the injections. My son had a couple of epidurrals and now his left leg is numb because the Dr injected way too much pain killer, his is suing the Dr for malpractice. The surgery for me was the easiest part, the first couple weeks of recovery were frustrating but I would not hesitate to do it again if the problem comes back. I enjoy riding much more now because I am more flexible and I do not have to worry about back spasms if I happen to move the wrong way. The biggest problem is the 3 months you will need to be off work but I had a disability policy so it was a nice vacation. If you want I can get you the name of my surgeon in Rapid City, SD, he claims he has never had a comeback case.

 

[catmt]

I had a herniated disc L5-S1 for many years, in the last year before I had surgery I was taking 360mg of morphine plus 4 other meds a day . I also found that the shots only worked for a short time. I found this website and did nothing but read for 3 or 4 days straight, so much info! The website is www.adrsupport.org After getting as much in info as I could, I decided to have Total Disc Replacement instead of fusion. As for me it was the best thing that I could have ever done. I woke up from surgery knowing that it worked. I was on some kind of pain med for over 7 years, after surgery it took me 9 month to get off of all my meds...THAT IS THE BEST!!! Today I don't take anything. I had surgery on 1 Dec 06 I was going on my first 5 mile bike ride with my grandson in June, went sledding the end of december of 07 and never had any pain. If you have any questions for me just let me know, I have helped a few other people in the same situation, just answering questions. Cathy

 

[shwee]

I've had lower back problems on and off my whole life. Every time my back would go out, I would go to a chiro for a few weeks and that would fix it. January '07 I ran on my treadmill and couldn't get out of bed the next morning. I had 3 epidural shots after that and they did nothing. I wouldn't recommend getting the shots at all. Plus they're pretty expensive.
I had surgery in May'07. L5 S1 disc shaved and had a really hard time recovering from that. It shocks me that so many others have had such an easier time of getting better after surgery. Several weeks ago we went to Vegas and after 4 days of walking for 12 hours a day (at least) and now it's hurt pretty bad again. The numbness is back on the outside of my calf and the pain shoots down my left leg. The top of my left foot gets numb when I overdo it. I'm going in Friday for another MRI to see what's going on but I could be looking at another surgery which sucks but I'm sick of the pain and the pills.

My best suggestion is to do physical therapy as long as you can handle it. Hopefully that does the trick. At some point you may have to decide to do surgery. Ultra gave you the best advise. Do your research and get the best doc you can and get a second and third opinion.

Good luck PJ. You can PM me if you need to.

 

[donbrown]

Yep, same here with multiple injuries over the years.

Ejected out of car while WEARING SEAT BELT. Couple good snow and bike accidents.

Every doctor you go to say the same. Chiro twists ya, accu pokes ya, surgeon wants to cut ya , epidral; eyc.

In the end for me. Drugs and morning exercise. Mild pain ... Naproxin (Aleve) lots of pain Flexeril. For me Flexeril works as good as an Epideral but is several thousand cheaper. I also sleep / laydown / float in a pool of water in certain body positions to reduce stress on the vertebrates.

Now that you have the injury I am sad to say you must deal with the pain.

Pain management my friend.

My dad tells me the hardest things of getting old are seeing friends and family die plus the everyday pain of your body.

 

[GODEEP]

As has been said a few times here, KEEP YOURSELF AS FIT AS POSSIBLE Ok, I'll quit yelling!
If you can keep yourself in the best shape you can acheive you will have much less pain.
I would run away from those damn shots. They are a band aid, that's all, don't do it.
As far as the surgery goes...I had to have it done because I did not keep fit.
I ended up losing the feeling and strength in my left leg so not getting the surgery was not an option at that point. I regained the feeling and use of my leg but I still have some pain. I'm stuck with that forever now but life goes on.

If you ened up getting worked on you will only be laid up for about a week after the work is done but no sledding or dirt bikes for at least 4 months unless you have the self controll to go slow and VERY easy over the bumps.
Forget about the jumps for a while !

start working out and get used to the idea that it is part of your everyday routine from now on.
Good luck.

LISTEN TO THIS GUY!!!! I had 3 back surgeries. the last one ended up with 2 titanium barrels and a rod with screws being installed. Sure that helped, but my back still has probs. every damn day.

After surgery, you are going to have to do a ton of phys. ther., so just get youir butt in shape right now. I got in awesome shape after my surgery and felt awesome. but slacked off and now Im gettin fat and out of shape and my back kills me again. I know what I have to do. get into shape. not another surgery.

when your stomach musles are strong, you wont believe how good your back will feel.

TRY THIS FIRST. Dont be lazy! give it a shot dude.. you will be a year or 2 min sledding again after surgery. spend 6 months to become hulk!

 

[Chubby]

Get in shape before You get anything cut on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am 18% disabled by rating but have never had sugery. I had a mri done last year because I did something real stupid(Went Bowling) Surgen said If you can get around it do whatever it takes. I have had this problem since 1986 where I fell of the rollcage on a d-9 and landed on the tracks. I have seen too many people think that a operation will cure all but It really Is in Your hands. I lost 40 Lbs went from a 38 to a 34 pants awhile ago . I do eliptical and some sort of eather crunches to keep my stomich musles tight as possible and I can ride without a problem. I raced Moto up untill 5 years ago. And can do just about anything, But you will learn the things that You cant do . I will turn 50 on May 2 so it isnt that I am real Young anymore. I have all the discs from about l2 to l5 Just about gone . Kinda funny I sent my MRI around to A number of chiropractic's In my area And all said That they didnt want to touch Me............. My own friend here from town is one and he said he didnt want me even In his office....... WOW

 

[markoo]

advise?

Do you ask you doctor for performance tips on your snowmobile? I would say talk to a back specialist and listen to him!

 

[Anthony Oberti]

So here is some expert advice.....the best thing I have found with my own patients for disc problems is Spinal Decompression Therapy. Go to www.axiomworldwide.com ...the DRX9000 is what I use in my office. I have one patient on it as I type and one in the waiting room ready to get on it. Very, very effective!!! Look at the website and then PM me with questions, or you can call me and I can tell you what I think. You can even send me a copy of your MRI report if you want a second opinion. This is not from my own "experience", rather then experience I have had with MANY patients.