Herniated Disc \ Sports

Ping Chow Chi

I have a very large herniated disc (L5,S1) - I'm not in a great deal of pain anymore (more a numbness of one of my buttocks), but it is stopping me from exorcising (because it then does gove me pain).

I am seing a consultant soon and I am hoping for an operation. I am wondering if anyone here has had an operation for an herniated disc, and if so, just how close to normal were you able to get after it? I understand that you might never be back to 100% but not being able to do sports is killing me.

I use to play badminton 3 times a week, jog a couple of times and go to the gym a couple of times a week. Since my disc slipped, I have not been able to any of these though (for over 5 months now). Oh and I'm 42 years old, fairly fit male if that helps.

hooplah

Hi Ping Chow Chi,

I had an operation on the same disc as yourself, I also have another ruptured disc though it doesn't cause any pain.

After my operation I gradually went back to my previous level of activity without any real problems. [I think I have a reduced range of motion in one leg but only noticed because I was doing Muay Thai and couldn't [URL="https://www.google.com/url?q=http://www.tampamuaythai.com/kmt/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/tehjoh.jpg&ei=8Uz2UcWEKI2zhAfDzYDAAw&sa=X&oi=unauthorizedredirect&ct=targetlink&ust=1375097849658108&usg=AFQjCNHIZBqAkT_eJ5gbpCb3MvUxSdde5Q"]teep[/URL] as high as previously. Unless you do thai or hurdles I don't think think I would have noticed]. Obviously things are different for everyone and you may do better or worse.

My only advice would be to do what your consultant says and follow things up with a good sports orientated physio. They can check your progress and advise when to go back or what to work on so that you can go back. My physio is based in Dublin, I can send you his contact details by pm if you like.

Good luck!

Ping Chow Chi

Cheers, I just want to be able to get back to my sports

...and the numbness to go, it's hard to explain how weirded out it makes me feel.

Ronan 2013

Hi.

I had op on same disc last Christmas. Had been suffering for few yrs and then few week before Christmas I really compressed a nerve and could barely walk. Since then, was ok for first 3mths but just painting a door one day my back started get sore and hasn't been pain free since. Suffer with bad sciatica since. Went back and done physio and dry needling but hasn't worked. Gp says not to rush into anything yet as it could be scar tissue touching a nerve. Am at stage now where I planning another mri and take it from there.

On another note my cousin has had three surgery's on his and he back playing football ok. Paul o connell had same and he doing ok too.

Surgeon told me it differs for everyone and depends alot on how long you been in pain

willabur

Hey Guys,

Been diagnosed with the same problem. How have ye fared since? what has worked for ye?

quad_red

+1

Have recurring problems with a herniated disc on s4, left side.

Thought I'd badly pulled my hamstring recently but all about pinched nerves in my back, first time pain has travelled like this.

A bit worried at what the future holds!

padzer

I had a bulging l4/l5 disc for about 7 years before i eventually went under the knife. Got used to walking with a limp n standing kinda sideways.

I was playing ball as well as golf at the time and found that i wasn't too bad pain-wise while active, it was afterwards i was in agony, cudnt lift my leg to get into the bath.

Tried everything n handed out a fair few quid to osteopaths, chiropractors and physios but none of it worked.

Went under the knife about 6 years ago, the operation didnt work first time around, he didnt take enough off the disc that was hitting the nerve. I think it was about 3 months later he went again and ive been 100% brand new since. Was off work for about 3 months after each but if id known i would feel like this after, i would have made the decision years ago.

deodub

It depends what operation you are referring to.

I had a lumbar microdisectomy in July 2010 for a slipped disc on my L5S1. Before that I had terrible sciatica and back pain. In fairness, most of that pain has been relieved since the surgery.

I have been so diligent since then, I work my core hard with Pilates and it's really strong at the moment, I've also really worked hard on my flexibility and posture. Having said all that, I still get periods were my back "goes". It's very frustrating. I'm not sure if the surgery caused structural problems to my spine but I've never got back to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu or football which is heart breaking. All I can do now is some light jogging and weight training, once I'm very careful with my choice of exercise.

I visited the surgeon again last year and he said my only option is to have a lumbar fusion. I'm very wary of that as there's no going back once they remove the disc. I have scoured the internet hoping to find examples of professional sportsmen who have had that done, but most reports just say they had "spine surgery". That could mean anything really. I notice some people on the thread have mentioned Paul O'Connell - again, I can't find any info on what operation he had, I assume it was a microdisectomy as oppose to a fusion. I'd love to be more helpful, but just think long and hard about having any operation on your spine. Ideally explore all options (physiotherapy, pilates, yoga etc), and only have the surgery once you have had no joy with them.

I wish you all the best, it's not a nice place to be as everyone has a different opinion and there are no 100% perfect ways of treating the problem.

I should just add another option I have been mulling over lately myself is decompression therapy. I haven't tried it myself but it might be worth looking into.

calfmuscle

deodub wrote: »

I have scoured the internet hoping to find examples of professional sportsmen who have had that done, but most reports just say they had "spine surgery". That could mean anything really. I notice some people on the thread have mentioned Paul O'Connell - again, I can't find any info on what operation he had, I assume it was a microdisectomy as oppose to a fusion.

Hiya Brian O'Driscoll had a cervical fusion and made it back to win the six nations

Spinal surgery can go wrong and is very serious, but they do have fabulous out comes these days! I send a lot of my chronic back pain patients to orthopaedics.