Slipped disc - surgery recovery

Good news with early positive improvement. Keep the exercises going in baby steps. Cycling will be achieved

I had a (from the sounds of it) minor slipped disk, I didn't see a specialist about it, my wife's a doctor so she just prescribed rest ("your spending too much time on the bike/exercising" etc.)

I knew damn well that I neglected my core exercises (they are dull), so I rested a couple of weeks and then bought that "Core Advantage" book by Tom Danielson.

I now do at least 1 core session a week (I tend to do 5 gym sessions during the week and a ride on the weekend), which is a full 45 minutes of doing 3 sets of every level 3 exercise in that book. Have been pain free for a couple of years now.

L5-S1 Surgery here also, though 5years prior to getting back into cycling. 56years old and having a blast. My L5-S1 surgery was for a rupture disk. My doctor stated that the incision was only an inch long an when he looked inside the rupture was floating free inside. so he just plucked it out check things and sowed me up. After that, much physical therapy, and I feel great! The numbness an pain came on very slow (like 3 YEARS!) prior to my surgery. My daughter an son-in law were moving every year an by the third move the PIANO felt very heavy for some reason that time Two months later I was in bad shape. So no rush get healthy first, also make what you ingest proactive. And yes bike refitted (very important). Good luck bud.

Steve out...

From all that I know with the disc is that they rupture and spill onto the sciatic nerve. They do repair themselves (though once ruptured they will never be as good as before). The rupture causes inflammation and pressure on the nerve. Time is the great healer as they say.

Surgery might be able to clean things up, and they can stitch the disc close, but my surgeon said that he preferred not to go in unless he really had to as he didn't think he often made things better. If you can get a second opinion then I would.

The problem with inflammation is that it causes pain and can do so in a feedback loop in cases like this. With surgery you'll definitely be in pain from them cutting into your back and only good pain killers and anti-inflammatories will reduce those results (and so does that get you further forward than if you had undertaken more physio? A good doctor will at least discuss both options).

Your nerve is responsible for releasing chemicals which cause the open of the blood supply so that more body fluid can reach the affected area. If you scratch your skin with your finger nail the red line that it leaves behind is exactly this response. Only if your nerve is aggravated it continues to release the chemical causes swelling and immobilisation. The key to 'unlocking' this is reducing the inflammation and so restoring the supporting musculature around the spine/disc is key to relieving the affected area.

Once the inflammation is down (and this can be helped by gently moving about) you can then begin to address of core strength. I would recommend Tom Danielson's core advantage. Especially the 'supermans' (hands and knees, raising opposing arm and leg).

Pilates - it was traditionally a remedial/recovery method but in practise it depends very much on instructor, some instructors work in conjunction with physios or might be recommended by GPs (actually got a couple in my class). Can't really comment on yoga but the accent may well be different, either need to be aware of (and should ask about) any injuries and tailor accordingly.

There's always quite a few options in Pilates according to strength/flexibility/injury, a good instructor should be able to direct you as appropriate.

Fwiw a mate managed to resolve a bulging disc via physio/chiro. exercises inc core work, YMMV..

Another L5/S1 here, and another complete recovery (better than before I would say) with general core strengthening and sustained activity.

Unfortunately my faith in the medical system is such that I believe any private doctor will tell you that a prolapse 'will not go away without surgery' in the same way that the chiropractor I saw said it would not go away without two $80 appointments a week in perpetuity...

Having said that, if I could have afforded it I would probably have tried surgery myself, as I thought my (active) life was over when it happened.

I perhaps took my recovery too gradually, started with lots of wasted time with physios and chiropractors, then eventually pilates twice a week and short hikes at the weekend, then spin classes twice a week to gauge how I felt on a bike, more ambitious hikes, more spin, then eventually a month long blow out of backpacking and cycle touring to celebrate the complete recovery. I can now honestly say I'm more active than before the prolapsed disc (probably because all the other niggling cycling injuries also healed during the downtime ).

Anyway, good luck with whatever option you choose.

If you can get away without surgery I would pursue that option. I used to play football and took up cycling instead.

A lot of back issues are caused by postural/proprioceptive issues - getting a strong core is really the best way to protect your back and doing regular stretching (were you doing any before?). The weird thing is that the exercises and stretching you do seem a bit lame (though they are tricky). But actually they will solve your disc problem far better than someone slicing up your back.

I suffered from Sciatica and had a MRI scan and a consultation with a neurosurgeon. The problem could have been eliminated by surgery but he suggested I try physio first. The physio prepared a set of exercises and got me to keep a diary of the pain and my exercises. The exercises weren't demanding and within 2 weeks the occurrence of pain was reduced and within about a month I was pain free. You should follow your doctors advice but do ask about any non-surgery options you may have and it's worth keeping a diary of the pain and any exercises you do to keep a track of how things are going. Once I was "signed off" I took up Pilates and this helped keep me back pain free for the last 6 or so years

have just had an L4/5 discectomy (3 weeks ago). having been off work and in a similar state to you (sounds like). i was up and walking the same day but advised to have 6/52 off the bike because of the flexed position.

plenty of core strength exercises and stretching. get some physio to get the right exercises. slow and steady i think will win the race. I'm going to get a bike fit done to make sure I'm set up as best i can be.

I'm now pain free and massively more mobile. hope you will be too.

cheers

rob

Please don't misunderstand my response. Have you obtained a 2nd opinion? Surgery is quite a step. I ruptured my l4 and then l5 over the space of 18 months when i was 30y old and I am now 52. I have never known pain like it and hope i never have to again. Anyway, they were going to operate. I sought a 2nd opinion and was advised to wait and see if osteo, massages and acupuncture might alleviate symptoms. It took many months but it worked. I know everyones back is unique but i am not the only person I know who has gone through this and made a considered decision to delay surgery to see what happened. I/we get the odd niggle and have to be careful but touch wood all is fine
You say your is degenerative. I was told the same. I am just saying...
Interestingly, after being advised to get a bike fir several years ago, the only real issues with my back arise when i have not been on the bike much.

Yoga and pilates, I had surgery on a severe disc bulge at L5/S1 Jan 2013 and I was back on the bike in 2 weeks. Consult with a good physiotherapist or your surgeon on bike set up too. In some cases a more stretched position can help as it can relieve pressure on the lower back though not in every case. Be very very careful with exercises and work with a good instructor under the guidance of the physio and you can make a full recovery. Most of all dont stop the excercises as guess what happens when you do...
Good luck

Depends on your age, whether your back problem is/was caused by injury or posture. Is there an element of work related problems. I would see a physio almost as soon as you are able to get to one. Speak to the surgeon that you need to get back to cycling as soon as possible.

Speed will be an issue sometimes so going private or through insurance can be the only way.

I hope surgery is successful and recovery short