question about back injuries?

[tobefitt]

Hello to everyone. I have been here a while reading and learning. This is my first post. I have been dealing with a back injury and now they are saying that I will need to have my L-4 and L-5 fused. My question is reference to the possibilities of lifting heavy again after this type of surgery. I am going to be 42 this year, and I am in pretty good shape. I can not use gear because of my job, but I do use a lot of supplements. Anyone else been down this road??

 

[Dad]

Fusion, hmmm?

I'm assuming yuo have two bad discs in the back?
If this is the case, yuo want to know if they are just bulging, or totally blown, as in ruptured. Yuo probably had an MRI, so this shuold be in the radiologist's report from reading yuor MRI.

IF yuo have bulging discs, are yuo experiencing pain, tingling, and other sensations going down one or both legs?

I put the IF in capitals because should yuo have only bulging discs, yuo might want to investage Laser Dics Decompression before yuo submit to discectomy and fusion. LDD goes in and melts a bit of the nucleus, and like letting air out of a tire, the disc "deflates," removing pressure of the nerves.

Definately get a second and third opinion from surgeons NOT in the group that's recommending the fusion!

 

[tobefitt]

My back issues

Yes, I have two bulging disc, and a crack in my spine just above my L-5. My L-5 is way out of alignment as well, like 3/4 of an inch. I am also riddled with arthritus. All my pain sits in my lower back then travels down left leg and sits behind my knee. Long periods of standing will cause tingling and a feeling like the foot is asleep. Thanks for the input Dad, I will look into the decompression procedure.

 

[oldfella]

Yes, I have two bulging disc, and a crack in my spine just above my L-5. My L-5 is way out of alignment as well, like 3/4 of an inch. I am also riddled with arthritus. All my pain sits in my lower back then travels down left leg and sits behind my knee. Long periods of standing will cause tingling and a feeling like the foot is asleep. Thanks for the input Dad, I will look into the decompression procedure.

As what dad said. Also you have some impingment or pressure on your sciatic nerve. This is responsible for the pain down the back of your leg. here are a number of exercises you can do to relieve this. One is Hyper-extensions, now the question here is whether you can perform these with the bulging disks. I have had numerous people come through my gym with this type of problem and the hyper-extension done through a limited range of motion has provided relief from pain as well as strengthenoing the lower back. Also some stability work on an exercise ball is a good idea. You need to clear this with your doc or see a good physiotherapist. Good luck!

 

[tobefitt]

reply

Thanks old fella for the advice. Working with more core exercises and the ball, but I get real sore afterwards. Going back to the doctors this week for a update on my next next step...