how many people on hear still sled after having a herniated disd

[joshkoltes]

shattered

shattered L3 96% and had to be replaced with a doner bone from a cadavers leg, thus removing the disc on top and bottom. i do become tired or worn out quicker than my original parts.
was told by many people not to ride, but now knowing i will age or wear younger. i might as well still have fun even though im full of aftermarket parts.

 

[skippydoo10]

I always said I would never get my back operated on. Well I got so bad that I could not go to work , sit ,sleep,eat,etc. I had L-4 problems along with severe siatica. I finally had no choice and went to a surgen. He checked my out and said I needed to decide. My response was when can you do it? He said tomorrow? YES! I still have some discomfort, but no pain. I ride sleds no problem and do whatever I want except running. Running bothers my back making me pretty sore.

 

[EricW]

Realize that back injuries are cummulative, progressive, and don't heal. You can knock back some of the inflamation that is putting pressure on the nerves, but disks don't heal. Snowmobiling is probably not a good idea for health reasons, but probably good for mental health. How many things do we do that are not good for us. Now is the time to start thinking about everything. Loose that extra weight, bend at the knees, don't twist when you lift and find buddies that will help you get unstuck knowing your disability. It is time to explain to the wife that you are no longer the family fork lift. Buy hand carts and dollies to move things, sled lifts so you bend over less.

Time to get smart to avoid surgery. However, artificial disks are gaining ground in the U.S. and surgery is less and less invasive all the time...but a last resort. Get multiple opinions and don't limit yourself to the surgeon. Go to neurologists, physical therapists, etc. There are non-surgical options.

Karl

Agree with all the above. Pernikm puts it very well. Ruptured L4/5 & L5/S1, 2 herniations above that. Strict course of McKenzie excersises along with treatment I'll detail below and weight loss surgery for me. I still have nerve damage in my right foot and musle control loss as well in right calf muscles. I still ride carefully and try not to lift/twist at all. Thats just how I have to do it in order to go. The big part is getting your head right about it with it being your limitations. No more macho stuff, if you can ride, ride knowing full well that your injured and can get worse. A nice riding rear skid helps too.

Some things too look at.

Active Release Therapy (ART)

Nucleoplasty / Coblation for contained herniations

Minimally Invasive Procedures with Dr. Anthony Yeung. He read my MRI's and made reccomendations that would help me avoid surgery. 10 years later I have still avoided surgery. When the symptoms flare up I go to the pool with ankle weights and a life jacket. The life jacket provides up bouyancy while the ankle weights provide down or negative buoyancy. These 2 working against each other create a form of traction allowing the spine to relax and open up. I run in the pool this way and do high knee lifts like the old football days. the creates/maintains a good range of motion while the workout gets healing blood flow to affected areas without the compression on the disc and surrounding areas caused by your body weight and gravity. I always finish each session as mentioned above with 10 minutes of free floating rest with weights and jacket on.

As mentioned above, plan on doing your own home work and dont trust any 1 surgeon, they sell surgery. I sell tugboat / marine services. Come to me with a sore back and I'll tell ya "lets grab the big tug and take a look at a possible fix". lol. Just the nature of the beast, but not always in YOUR best interest. Good luck man. EW

 

[Givemeaboost]

I had L5 S1 fused in 1980 and C5-6-7 in my neck fused two years ago. Still get some pain but I'm not giving up ridin till I can't hang on to the bars anymore.

 

[Ultra]

L5-S1, dinked with this for years. Really got bad in 2004, was going to a very conservative NUCCA doctor in Spokane, he sent me to a micro surgeon in Courde a lane. Had the surgery in April 04, smartest thing I have done in a while. Really work out well for me but do have to be smart about things so not to re injure. Lots of good advice on all posts above. The clincher for me was both doctors said the chance of it self resolving was very low due to the severity, but some have had success with self healing.

 

[Snowlover]

l4-5 shot. Tried to tuff it out. Right leg was half asleep and my foot was floppy.

Micro-disc.... surgery. Walked out of surgery, did some physical, never looked back.

Still should do core stretches and strengthening, but not as diligent as I should be.