Back Issues

[Rocket-Boy]

Having spent a week in serious pain I think its time to change a bunch of things.

I went to the doc and got all of the pain meds and anti-inflams, was mostly fine until a setback on the weekend.

Doc says its most likely just spasms due to not having pain in legs etc.

 

When its all back to normal its going to be core exercises daily for me and a serious amount of back strengthening.

Im also looking at ergonomic office chairs, I spend at least 10 hours a day at my desk. 

 

I honestly dont know how people with long term back pain cope, its the most debilitating thing.

[Wayne pudding Mol]

Having spent a week in serious pain I think its time to change a bunch of things.

I went to the doc and got all of the pain meds and anti-inflams, was mostly fine until a setback on the weekend.

Doc says its most likely just spasms due to not having pain in legs etc.

 

When its all back to normal its going to be core exercises daily for me and a serious amount of back strengthening.

Im also looking at ergonomic office chairs, I spend at least 10 hours a day at my desk. 

 

I honestly dont know how people with long term back pain cope, its the most debilitating thing.

I have lived with back pain for 25 years, sometimes its way worse than others - when I get chunky, problems, when I use a spade problems.  Surf massive problems

I have my way of dealing with it and you'll find yours but core strength is vital

 

I went off on a tangent - I spend a lot of time at my desk so here are some hints that I hope you find useful - not all may work for you but this has helped me

 

Train yourself to get up every 45 mins of so and walk around, stretch maybe

Move your legs and I found chairs with wheels made me lose my posture more easily than with feet firmly planted.  I spent cash on so many chairs and ended up with a plastic chair from mambos which cost 299.  Tense you abs at the desk whenever you remember

Get your screen height right - For years I had a raised desk and worked standing.  A bit tiring but really saves the back

Try to exercise daily - you don't have to go mental but even a walk around the block - I found walking to be a great relief especially releasing work tension which only aggravates backs

 

And here's some bad advice - 2 norflex, 2 myprodol and 2 glasses of red wine for those shocking days

[Blokman]

Some backs need ops some don't. My story and advice if I may

37 Years ago at age 26 I suddenly had severe pain. Back, left leg , the whole thing . I drank 12 Syndols a day.

I see a specialist . Herniated disc L5 and 6. Fusion only option. Co worker suggests a chiro. A very specific one.

Chiro explains problem. Sacrum sticky on the left. It doesn't move forward when I bend  ,so the discs pop . Fuse 5 and 6 and you will end up fusing more because of the underlying problem. He told me that I may need surgery in the future and HE will send me to a doctor. That was almost 36 years ago.

 

Every few years my back bites me again. I had to cancel almost all my races last year. I could hardly walk. X rays tells me my discs are gone and my posture bad. Visit same chiro and a feisty physio and I get better to about 70-80%. This can take up to a month or six weeks

 

If I may . Get all the opinions but delay the op as long as you can. Find the root cause and try and work on that with stretches , yoga whatever you may find will work. 

I got specific exercises from the physio and chiro . 

My wife found a book with stretches for cyclists. I added some that may help me, but you must understand your specific problem to select what will work for you . Trial and error and know your new limits , a bit of luck and you may just get by without the op. 

 

I'm trying not to give an absolute opinion of this is good and that is bad.

 

Good luck. I hope you get better.

 

 

Edit: Physio recommended that I see a Bio for specific exercises , which I didn't but should.

Chiro reckons the best thing for a back is to lie flat on a carpet , a small pillow under your head . Put your lower legs on a chair or table parallel to the floor ,so your back and thighs are at 90 deg. Arms at your side. Relax for 20 min or so. Repeat often.

Edited October 5, 2020 by Blokman

[TomR]

Hello Guys, 

Likely a well versed topic, but couldn't find a current thread, interested in others's experience.

 

 

Ive been having severe pain on and off for the past two years at least concentrated in my lower back, and eventually had MRI's done to get to the source of the problem.

The scans reveal a severe disc degeneration l5-s1 and the orthopaedic surgeon reckons i'm a good candidate for an anterior lumber fusion.

This op scares the daylight out of me, but truth is I cant carry on the way things are now.

I can ride mtb still currently, but have to keep myself dosed with prescription drugs to manage the pain. Cant surf anymore for fear of spasms and drownings, can swing a golf club for 9 holes max, only on heavy anti inflammatories.

I cant play ruff house with the kids or pick up anything too heavy, and Im constantly in some form of pain.

Im mostly a desk jockey at work, and constantly having to manage the way I exist around my lower back issue.

Ive also realised that i fall into the "lazy" category when it comes doing the daily exercises set out by the bio-kenetisist and hang my head in shame.

Different medical advice from different professionals can be confusing, my childhood doc is of the opinion that the discs may fuse themselves over time, and we can manage the pain with some meds and cortisone injection every 3 months or so in the interim.. Or they may not.. The Biokineticist  swears by getting the core strong and activated, and def no op required, the surgeon reckons lets cut you open and fuse those bad boys, hey Tiger Woods had the exact op and look at him now (jokingly..)

 

Do you guys have any advice on a plan moving forward, has anyone tried other options like pressure release therapy ect?

Has anyone else been down this road, and what did you do, was it successful?

I realise that at the end of the day is probably a personal choice on how to mitigate the situation, but any pointers or advise will be most welcome.

 

Thanks for reading

 

 

I went the surgery route. My issue was also at the L5 - S1 level. My disc had ruptured, causing serious nerve issues, some unpleasant complications, and the sciatica turned me into an "old", seriously unhappy man. I tried multiple options, but ultimately, and necessarily went the surgery route. There were three surgeries in total. I was 23 when I had my first surgery, and 27 when I had my last. I am 36 now, and have been pretty much pain free since.

 

I did not go the fusion route though. the fusion scared me. I instead went for a disc replacement surgery. It's a prosthetic disc that has the functionality of a disc, but offers limited cushioning. 

 

Rehab is probably more important than the surgery itself, and maintaining the flexibility and core strength is crucial to keeping more back issues at bay. I am very active now, and while I don't do too much running, or high impact activities, I cycle a lot, and I do a lot of mountain biking. 

 

If you are interested in speaking to the neurosurgeon that performed the disc replacement surgery pop me a DM. 

[DR ◣◢]

I have lived with back pain for 25 years, sometimes its way worse than others - when I get chunky, problems, when I use a spade problems. Surf massive problems

I have my way of dealing with it and you'll find yours but core strength is vital

 

I went off on a tangent - I spend a lot of time at my desk so here are some hints that I hope you find useful - not all may work for you but this has helped me

 

Train yourself to get up every 45 mins of so and walk around, stretch maybe

Move your legs and I found chairs with wheels made me lose my posture more easily than with feet firmly planted. I spent cash on so many chairs and ended up with a plastic chair from mambos which cost 299. Tense you abs at the desk whenever you remember

Get your screen height right - For years I had a raised desk and worked standing. A bit tiring but really saves the back

Try to exercise daily - you don't have to go mental but even a walk around the block - I found walking to be a great relief especially releasing work tension which only aggravates backs

 

And here's some bad advice - 2 norflex, 2 myprodol and 2 glasses of red wine for those shocking days

And one very overlooked fix. If you are overweight your back will suffer. Lose the blob and you will have fewer problems.

 

I had so sciatic pain staring up in my right leg earlier this year. 10kg into my 25kg loss goal and it’s non existent now.

 

Also try sleep with a pillow between your knees. Also helps.

[WaynejG]

8 years later still sleep with a pillow between my legs. It does help.

[cadenceblur]

I went the surgery route. My issue was also at the L5 - S1 level. My disc had ruptured, causing serious nerve issues, some unpleasant complications, and the sciatica turned me into an "old", seriously unhappy man. I tried multiple options, but ultimately, and necessarily went the surgery route. There were three surgeries in total. I was 23 when I had my first surgery, and 27 when I had my last. I am 36 now, and have been pretty much pain free since.

 

I did not go the fusion route though. the fusion scared me. I instead went for a disc replacement surgery. It's a prosthetic disc that has the functionality of a disc, but offers limited cushioning.

 

Rehab is probably more important than the surgery itself, and maintaining the flexibility and core strength is crucial to keeping more back issues at bay. I am very active now, and while I don't do too much running, or high impact activities, I cycle a lot, and I do a lot of mountain biking.

 

If you are interested in speaking to the neurosurgeon that performed the disc replacement surgery pop me a DM.

Interesting. I had a broken piece of my L5 removed 3 years ago. I've never been the same. Still have discomfort, especially in the mornings, actually started with a yoga and core regime now to get it sorted. Been lax on that front.

[Robbie Stewart]

I cancelled my gym membership literally a week prior to lockdown. Not Covid related but because I was cycling way more than attending gym and did not see the point of paying for a service I have just about stopped using. 

I am currently noticing a marked reduction in my core strength and I get some crazy arm pump when riding trails or anything that remotely points downwards with some singeltrack. The biggest down side to not gymming anymore is that my lower back is starting to feel the effects of being fat, my posture at my desk can be better despite having raised both my screen and notebook about 10 inches from the desk to eye level. My play time with my daughter is starting to be affected by the dim burning. 

I can echo all the advice already given to get a cross-functional training plan that will impact the body apart from cycling to strengthen the muscles and sceletal system that is not impacted when riding. This will go a long way to increase comfort in the lumbar region if done right.

[Quagga]

Hello Guys, 

Likely a well versed topic, but couldn't find a current thread, interested in others's experience.

 

 

Ive been having severe pain on and off for the past two years at least concentrated in my lower back, and eventually had MRI's done to get to the source of the problem.

The scans reveal a severe disc degeneration l5-s1 and the orthopaedic surgeon reckons i'm a good candidate for an anterior lumber fusion.

Snip

I did not read the whole thead, and only to the words FUSE in your post before my reply. 

Sorry if someone answered allready

 

I had the same you have now.

Got to the point where I server sciatica down my left leg, and constant burn under the ball of the foot.

Clear L5S1 compression symptoms.

 

Went to go see DR Kruger at Christian Barnard

 

He did a discectomy NOT A FUSION. 

 

All he did was to remove the loose bits of disk that was on the nerve.

3 years later I had simular issues, went to another surgeon (sadly not longer with us)

He performed a MICRO Discectomy. 1st cut was 10cm long 

2nd cut 2cm long

 

Since then I have ridden 15 Argus ride, 3 Epic, Joberg2 C, Sani etc

 

Dont fuse unless you have to.

 

Ask for discectomy. 

[Quagga]

Thanks for the input - surgeon is talking about going in through the stomach for the fusion, and taking a bone graph off the hip simultaneously to wedge inbetween the discs, then fuse them all together, do you reckon this is low risk?

Not low risk at all

 

Major arteries run right next it.

 

Please go see DR Kruger 1st.

[Lance Stephenson]

I can tell you this, as a coach and "athlete" spending time in the gym to work Core (which isn't your stomach/6 pack) and getting hips stabilised and stronger, glutes firing on a regular basis and bending backwards will help you immensely in general.  (Your doctor and physio need to sign you off to do these things and your physio needs to supervise these).  Lifting some weight and working muscles that get weak from a seated position (desk jobs) is the major culprit for most of the issues you face along with a weak pelvic hurdle and core.  

 

I say, do the workouts, it's cheaper than surgery AND if you strengthen these areas first you can reverse some of you pain and possible improve your outcome IF you have to end up having surgery as the spine will be more supported.  It will also shorted you recovery time and IMPROVE the recovery itself.  I have/had back pain, since gyming and working deadlifts and core stuff......the pain is 80% gone.  I'm still working it and it's better and doesn't govern my day or distract me any longer .

[Quagga]

I can tell you this, as a coach and "athlete" spending time in the gym to work Core (which isn't your stomach/6 pack) and getting hips stabilised and stronger, glutes firing on a regular basis and bending backwards will help you immensely in general.  (Your doctor and physio need to sign you off to do these things and your physio needs to supervise these).  Lifting some weight and working muscles that get weak from a seated position (desk jobs) is the major culprit for most of the issues you face along with a weak pelvic hurdle and core.  

 

I say, do the workouts, it's cheaper than surgery AND if you strengthen these areas first you can reverse some of you pain and possible improve your outcome IF you have to end up having surgery as the spine will be more supported.  It will also shorted you recovery time and IMPROVE the recovery itself.  I have/had back pain, since gyming and working deadlifts and core stuff......the pain is 80% gone.  I'm still working it and it's better and doesn't govern my day or distract me any longer .

I am sorry to say this. Deadlift is not recommended for someone who has a herniated disk

The ligament in holding the disk in is now torn and bits of disk is out in the spinal column

Nothing but removing them can be done.

 

I am NOT refering to a disk that is sligtly bulding. I my case there was loose stuff in the spinal column an no amount of physio was going to fix that.

The stuff also does not get absorbed by the body it seems, so it has to come out

[DR ◣◢]

I am sorry to say this. Deadlift is not recommended for someone who has a herniated disk

The ligament in holding the disk in is now torn and bits of disk is out in the spinal column

Nothing but removing them can be done.

 

I am NOT refering to a disk that is sligtly bulding. I my case there was loose stuff in the spinal column an no amount of physio was going to fix that.

The stuff also does not get absorbed by the body it seems, so it has to come out

I still have the contents of my disc in a jar around here somewhere.

 

For those who don’t know the differences.

 

Herniated is a bulging disc. Commonly called a slipped disc.

Sequestrated is a torn or burst disc.

 

In both cases people will say they have a pinched nerve.

[Quagga]

I still have the contents of my disc in a jar around here somewhere.

 

For those who don’t know the differences.

 

Herniated is a bulging disc. Commonly called a slipped disc.

Sequestrated is a torn or burst disc.

 

In both cases people will say they have a pinched nerve.

Thanks for the clarification.

 

I had a recent MRI. Still two pieces in spinal column. One above l5s1 and one on that level. No issues from them

 

But like you said a herniated disk can go back.

But once it is pieces like you and I had there is no amount of exercise that will make it dissolve or disappear

Someone will have to remove it.

 

BTW I also had a jar of disk till we moved house.

[DR ◣◢]

I’ll try and find a copy of my MRI that shows the extent of the nerve getting strangled by the contents of the disc.

 

The surgeon looked at me in disbelief that one person would be able to tolerate that amount of pain for so long.

[Andreas_187]

I wouldn't recommend someone lightly but I went to see Dr John Thompson recently 0217126525, he is in Diep River.

I have had back pain for 20 years and he has helped massively. Go there with an open mind because you will think he is crazy (I'm still not sure what he did). He is a qualified Chiropractor but he does nothing that you will recognise a Chiro/Physio/Osteopath doing.

Edited October 9, 2020 by Andreas_187