Relapse of prolapsed L4/L5

[indsg]

The Williams micro-lumbar disectomy was performed on the L4/L5 disc in my back in 2001 (I prolapsed it from playing basketball). It went beautifully. I laid off physical activity for 2002. In 2003 I joined the gym and started to work quite hard. I lost about 25+kgs in 2003 and continued to work hard up until early this year. I went back to playing basketball. I was in the best physical shape of my life.

In February 2006 I felt numbness in my left foot (this was the leg that was giving me problems in 2001 when I had the prolapsed disc). I went to see the surgeon who performed the surgery on me in 2001 and he said see a physio. I have seen 2 physio's since. Nothing has happened. I have tingly sensation in my left foot almost continuously. I have put on 6 kgs since February and lost a lot of conditioning.

I am in Melbourne. Ideally I would like to go back to playing basketball. I have been told it is a long shot so I'd just like to run and lift weights at the gym. I don't think that is too much to ask. Who should I see to rectify this problem once and for all?

[Mischap123]

indsg, As a b'baller for the last 21years and recently having to give up for orthopaedic reasons at the age of 29, I totally sympathise with you. As a health professional I hate to say you CAN'T to my patients, but ultimately the decision is yours. It seems that there is some nerve compression again. It may settle with conservative therapy but may not. You do need to understand that in the discectomy you had previously, although symptoms were relieved, the disc was also weakened in the process. Therefore with all high impact activity there is a greater chance of recurrance. In your case there is no "ONCE AND FOR ALL" fix, and you will always need to manage this problem before it manages you. All the best

[Hipster]

Excellent words of wisdom Mischap.

To indsg, obviously you need to stay active but you need to find a level of activity which suits your pathology. Sounds like you have some serious lumbar disc issues which need to resolve. Just trying to push things will only make it worse and the some of the ill effects of nerve compression are pretty nasty.

A good place to start would be Clinical Pilates, lots of physio's in Melbourne use it to enable people, who having spinal load issues like yours, to return to heavier activities like weights and running with less risk of aggravation.

Have a look at the physiotherapy association website (www.physiotherapy.asn.au) or www.clinicalpilates.com for practitioners. Any recommendations from other forum users would be great.

Remember even surgery is not a fix for this problem, it just elleviates the pressure from the sensitive and important spinal cord tissues. The rest is all about improving the spinal mechanics and loading patterns to return to more normal movement.

Good luck - keep posting with any questions and on how you're going - they're are lots of people on this forum who have info that can help. :)

[kjwilkin]

Hi there,

I'd highly recommend doing clinical pilates. It is low impact and can modify the program to suit your needs.

I go to Insync in Camberwell, which is fantastic. I do it in a group of 3 with a physio. Everyone in the group has their own individual program as everyone has different things they need to work on.

I have hypermobility syndrome which means my joints and ligaments are quite loose. It has helped me to strenghten the muscles around my major joints. It's one of the few things I can do at the moment as I'm recovering from knee and ankle surgery.

Would highly recommend that you do clinical pilates with a physio. There is also a good clinic in Richmond called Dynamic Stability. Where ever you go make sure you say that you want to do it with a physio even though they may offer for you to do it with another instructor.

Good luck with it all !

[Hipster]

That's why I love this forum, not only can you get info from practitioners, but also up to date advice from people who are going through similar problems. Though I have to say, having read a few threads on which kjwilkin has contributed, he/she is an expert on pretty much every injury and procedure known to mankind (i'd be guessing but I think she is a lady). You've really been through the wars. I'd take her word as gospel :p .

Cheers
Hipster

[conors72@gmail.com]

Hi my name is conor I am 36 years old and am a chef in Sydney. 2 yrs ago i hurt my back in work lifting a heavy box, an prolapsed L4/5 disk in my back i had physio on it which seemed to work really well however i have been going to the gym recentley with no probs and lifting weights then i moved the wrong way at work and it happened again is lifting weights bad for this type of injury does anyone have any tips on what exercises to steer clear of??? i am trying to get fit but also worry i'm straining my back with particular exercises...

[Mischap123]

Get the problem sorted as you did last time. If you had success previously then return to that practitioner. You can ask them after they have done an examination and worked out exactly which structures are causing the problems for you.

[Squirrel]

The advice I had was to be really aware, in the acute phase and subsequently of a prolapsed disc at L4/L5 - never bend and twist at the same time!

The first time I forgot, I was immediately reminded by a sharp shot of pain that I shouldn't have bent down, lifted something and turned like I used to be able to. Even slightly.

Strengthening the muscles around the spine for support has also been recommended to me via pilates or yoga, and seek advice from a physio on exercises to help stablise that area of your spine.

Does that help? Hope so!

[wazzas-back]

hi there i have a great surgeon who works out of the epworth in box hill melbourne he is going to do my back for me maybe he can help you the name is dr jithoo as i to am hopeing to go back to sport after my spinal surgery to kind regards wazza