L5/S1 Disc Herniation

Sorry to hear about your herniated discs. I had my L4 L5 herniated back 10-12 years ago and it put pressure on my nerve so I couldn't lift my foot. I fell into the you need surgery soon category to avoid losing the ability to lift my foot forever.

It was a journey but once I lost weight and got in shape my back rarely bothers me but that was 7-8 years after my surgery. I wasn't sure I could do the s/b/r things with my back when I started but I'm good.

Heal up..it will get better...

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Had the same injury from basically sitting at my desk all day and not being in shape so don't feel bad. i was lucky, recovered w/ PT alone, didn't even need cortisone shots. I hope you are as lucky!

x2

Basically same story for me. Since surgery I have, among many shorter races, completed a HIM, marathon, and IMCDA 2008. Couldn't have done it without my surgery. Not everyone has these great results though.

ETA: my herniation was also L5-S1

Edited by idahodan 2009-08-10 8:20 PM

As a vascular specialist I typically do some of the anterior exposures for our spine surgeons... you know, to get that pesky aorta out of the way.

Anyway, being that our spine guys deal a lot with young, healthy, active folks, our spine surgeons have gained a lot of experience with the "artificial disc" surgery, which apparently is quite good for active folks. I honestly don't know a ton about it, but the results seem pretty good. Just something to ask your surgeon about...

Have the same complaint, been doing nothing for 6 weeks now!

For anyone who has had surgery, how long does it take to recover, anyone recovered with out surgery?

the surgery for this stuff is pretty quick turn around.

i had L3, 4, and 5 all herniated when i was rowing (yeah i messed up my back pretty bad).
started PT, and was told if i wanted to even think about rowing again i would need surgery, i dont remember it exactly but was blown away by how short they were saying for recovery time.

had surgery July 1.. my doc wanted to me wait 2 weeks before sitting, 6 weeks to biking and 3 months to running

L5 S1 from shoveling the driveway.  ^%$#8&^*&^% snow!!!

Had the same problem as described, foot drop, shooting pain down the sciatica, couldn't really walk, in fact crawled down the walk to the car for the surgery.

Had the surgery, 6-8 weeks recovery and then slowly back to the gym for work on abs.

Now more than 15 years later, strong as a 56 year old ox, doing tri's, my first century ride coming as well as my first marathon, and then next year shooting for the Nevada Silverman to put it all together.

The only time I really get pain is if I sneeze without supporting my back.