Slipped/herniated disc rehab

[Jimbo92]

Hey all. My first post on this one. Had an MRI last august after months of severe lower back pain. Turns out I had a large disc bulge in the lumbar area quite a few mm in length.

The symptoms have seemed to lessen a lot. I had physio therapy for about a year, from Jan last year to December. I’ve been doing yoga everyday for 20 minutes after my workouts and I still do the exercises the physio gave me sometimes. However it’s still always there, like that twinge and I’m still cautious with a lot of exercises and activities as it sets it back off.

the MCATS specialist Told me that it wasn’t uncommon for people to finally recover after 18 months. He also said that 95% of people fully recover from symptoms. He advised me against surgery and didn’t recommend it for my case

I’m quit an athletic person and the condition hindered all of it. The gym, boxing, running and the rest. Obviously this had a profound effect on my mental health as I couldn’t do anything and felt as if I’d have it forever.

So I’m intrigued to hear everyone else’s experiences and story’s on the matter!

[LondonB]

I had similar issue 15 years ago, I gave up running and took up swimming. Also did acupuncture together with physio and massage. Cryo treatments may work as well to reduce swelling. I avoided surgery and will look to avoid it if I can. Try to give up the impact workouts for six months - I know tough but it should help

[Hidden]

Hey Jimbo92. Sorry to hear you’re suffering. I’m 49 years old and slipped my disc at L4/5 when I was 16. I had a micro-discectomy to remove the bulge on my 17th birthday. It was not successful in relieving my intense lower back pain and I suffered till I had a second operation in my early 30’s. This was a TLIF where they put screws in your vertebrae and a fake disc. This was a total cure and I was symptom free till 2 years ago when the structure caused stenosis at L3/4, they put an implant to push the vertebrae back but this seem to weaken the original structure because a few months later it collapsed and caused a real mess. I had a long operation to rebuild and lengthen the cage in Oct 22 and this has finally sorted it. Unfortunately I have a lot of residual nerve issues in the area with all the scar tissue and legacy issues. I still struggle now with chronic pelvic pain. I guess what I’m taking a while to say is if I could live my life again I would have definitely avoided surgery when I was young. Feels like an inevitability that once you operate on a back you will have to do it again at some stage. The nature of the spine is one where you solve a problem but cause another in my experience. So I would try and do everything you can to avoid going under the knife but if you do the TLIF procedure was very effective. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[Jimbo92 in reply to Hidden]

Funnily enough. The specialist did mention that. Also told me that a certain type of arthritis can occur due to the surgery and it’s normally inevitable. Can’t remember the name of the ailment but it’s basically when your bones rub against each other due to the disc being shortened

[ChoppedAlmonds]

I had a fall in my early 20's and couldn't stand up for more than about 30 seconds without severe back pain. Ended up having a discectomy at L5/S1. The surgeon told me it would take about a year to recover, but it actually took about 18 months before I was pain free. My whole life I've had regular bouts of back pain to various degrees. Every now and again I would get an MRI and they would tell me I needed surgery, but I always managed to recover with the help of a good physio. Sometimes the pain was really severe and you just wanted surgery, but I think you have to hold in there as long as you can. Last year (at the age of 55) I had a bad bout and I couldn't sit down for three months. Eventually the physio gave up and I went under the knife again. Had a big bulge at L4/L5. I've recovered very quickly this time. The surgeon said my back is in remarkably good condition for someone who has had back surgery twice. The important thing is lots of exercise, especially around your core (McGill Big 3), don't do impact exercises (I walk fast, but I don't run), I use body-weight and arm-weights, but I'd never do weight lifting. Yoga and Pilates are supposed to be very good, but I've always found them too boring. Good luck!

[Jimbo92 in reply to ChoppedAlmonds]

Yeah I reckon that’s where my buldge is or was. I do weightlift but I’m cautious of what exercises I do. I don’t do anything bent over or certain leg movements like presses or squats. Thanks for the input