protruding disc

[millwright]

Well its confirmed L5/S1 disc is the cause of my SEVERE leg pain, cant wait to see what the nuroligist says about my treatment on monday. Looks like a summer of bench racing. Can anybody tell me anything about different treatments and how long it was before you could ride again

 

[Jonala]

Millwright,

I have a herniated disc, along with deterioation of all the discs in lower part of my spine. I guess I'm lucky, the severe leg pain happens while I'm cycling.

I had some relief for about 3 months when I went to a chiropractor. Then I went to a spinal specialist. 2 months of physical therapy which helped. I was also put on Vioxx for 2 months. Most of the pain went away. The doctors thought they could completely rid me of the pain. I received spinal pain blocker shots. The pain was completely gone for a month. Its back but tolerable while cycling. The funny thing is, I have no pain at all while dirt biking.

Follow your doctors instructions especially the excerises that he may have you do. You should be back on a bike in no time.

Best health to you.:)

 

[CRPilot]

I've been throught the mill on this one before. I had a"bulging" L4-L5. Not quite herniated per the textbook. I went through every form of physical therapy and injection you could imagine, non of which helped. Ultimatley had surgery to snip the bulgeing areas. The thing that made me feel the best before surgery was aggresive exercise. I played sand volleyball, as well as lifted weights (non- back related of course). The doc said the excercise helped for two reasons. First, I had strong abs and lower back which kept everything stabile. Second, the natural endorphines (sp?) that my body created to heal sore/worked muscles acted as a natural pain killer. I felt worse when I skipped workouts. I'm not saying it would work for everyone, but it worked for me. Follow your doctors orders.

Following the surgery I was back at work in 3 weeks and resumed light weight lifting in about 4. That is also when I began a regular program a light running (2-3 miles 4-5 days/week) and ab work every day. I was 25 when I went under the knife and started riding when I was 28. I've never had serious problems since, but I can tell if I skip my ab workout for more than a few days. The stronger your mid-section is, the better you will feel.

 

[millwright]

Thanks CRpilot,
I'm scedualed to have a discectomy tuesday. My doc says I may be able to go home that afternoon. I workout very regularly but I have had to slack off due to the unbearable pain I'm in .I am looking foward to being out of this pain and back on my PT program!!!! The Missouri Hare Scramble Championship Series has just started and I need to get back in the hunt as soon as phisically possible.

 

[Philip]

Same Injury

Millwright I suffer from the same injury L5/S1 bilobed disc. I use chiropracter and deep tissue massage for therapy. I continue to ride but try to use my legs more to absorb the shock. I am not a surgical canidate and for me personally I would have to be totally down to considerate it.I don't like the idea of facing the risk but that just me. I have found the massage really takes the stress off the nerve and brings me comfort. I use chiropracter to open the vertabras and allow disc to move back into place. Hope this helps as I know your in pain. Take care

 

[Jonala]

Here is a procedure you may want to talk to your doctor about.
http://www.usc.edu/hsc/info/pr/1vol2/212/spine.html


Being armed with a little knowledge always help.

 

[millwright]

Thanks for your input Philip and Jonala unfortunitly I have been bed riddin for the last two weeks due to this condition except for a few steps around the house which are only achievable by my constant intake of darvocet and narproxen. I have to stop taking the naproxen today due to my up coming surgery. I hope that the spinal fusion is not in my future although the the thread that Jonala posted sounds like a good alternative to open surgery for spinal fusion.

 

[millwright]

Had my sugery yesterday and what a difference a day can make. I feel like a new man. I am a little sore where my insicion is but after the pain I have been in that pain is nothing.It is like a miricle has been preformed!!!!! A day after and I can walk upright like a normal human again with no painin my leg or foot.Hope it stays that way!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Rooster]

Glad your repair went well. Mine is not bad enough for surgery, and I keep it at bay with excersize and stretching.

Off topic - I see you're a millwright, did you ever work for PMI when they were still a company?

 

[Jonala]

Millwright,

That's great news. Speedy recovery.:) :)

 

[Philip]

Millwright,

Glad to hear everything went well. Hope you can get back to riding soon.:cool:

 

[CRPilot]

If you just had the surgery yesterday and you are feeling great today, I'll give you a tip: Don't overdue it! Sit/lay down and relax. The muscle relaxants have not worn off yet. Speaking from experience, the worst part of the procedure will be the muscles healing around the area they repaired. They will be extremely sore for about 8-10 days. Since the low back is so dense with muscle, during the procedure they have to literally tear a hole in some of the muscle to reach all the areas they need to repair. The muscle will hurt more that the disrupted vertabra.

Just like working out: It hurts more 2 days after!

Hope ya heal up quick!

 

[sfc crash]

i'm w/ rooster, if i don't work out nearly daly, oooh. btw,mil, i've got 3 herniated/bulging, the worst of it,herniated is..you guessed it L5-S1:think what's with that?

 

[2001 CR 250]

I have 3 herniated disks, and I too have found that the best therapy is a good workout program. The more I work out, the better I feel. I have had very little pain since my traction treatments at physical therapy. A good pain medication is a drug called Ultram (tramadol HCL) which has some good (almost narcotic) pain relief properties without the narcotic side effects.

 

[Loghopper]

Hey Millwright I'm glad you are doing better. Looks like I'm in for the same next week. Six months of PT , CHiro etc no better. MY right leg is numb up to my knee some of the time so I went up to the ER. Just so happens the ER doc is the wife of the ortho. specialist. She said you get to skip the one year waiting period and I should get surgery next week. How are youy feeling now and what did your doc say about recovery time and future possible herniations. Any info would be appreciated!

 

[millwright]

Loghopper,
This past wed. I had my 2 week follow up visit with my surgeon, he told me that I could return to work on light duty but not to lift anything heavy for 3 more weeks. My doctor says there is a 10% chance of reacourance. Currently I am pain free for about 95% of the time. The area around my insicion is still tender and a bit swollen.
The slight pains that I do have are only if I sit for to long or if I look up while I'm walking (go figure). The pains don't last long but they do get my attention. I also beleive that this pain is due to inflamation around the nerves from the surgery and the fact that this area was inflamed for a considerable amount of time prior to surgery.
At this time the only meds that I take is one 500mg. Naproxen in the morning be fore I leave for work.The assingment that i'm currently on requires me to walk all day and I feel that Naproxen helps to keep the inflamation to a minimum.
My doctor says that walking or cycling is ok for exercise just don't over do it!!

 

[Loghopper]

Millwright, I had my surgery 10 days ago and am feeling much better. About 90% pain free. Just going for hour long walks now. Went and hiked a few of the bike trails this weekend but think it was a bit much. Doc told me the same as yours. Take it easy and no hiking up and down the mountain for four more weeks.

 

[millwright]

LGHPR,
It has been 6 weeks for me and I have been riding for about 2 weeks, although after riding sometimes I do feel a little stiff for about a hour or two. I have noticed that my recouperation time seems to get shorter as time goes on. I would reccomend that you walk as often and as much as you can stand and keep a positive attitude!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[rocketnz]

millwright, ihad the same condition as you.had my operation about 5 mths ago &was feeling great.the doctor said don't over do it ,but it did :silly: to much lifting and bend.had to rest for 2 weeks .its ik now but it did worry me at the time.no mx for me for 12 mths. :| so take it easy i wish i did.

 

[Antman]

Ive got the L5 S1 herniated disk since I was 21. I'm 32 now. It seems that as long as I'm active and work out I can keep the pain at bay. Its always there, but as long as I keep it in my mind as I play, I can keep from throwing it out. I haven't had a major spasm in over 5 years now. When I do, I can't walk for a couple days and no activity for a 2 weeks to a month. I just really watch it and have to be carefull.