Just over two weeks ago I had a microdiscectomy at L5/S1. I had been struggling with back pain for the past 3 or 4 years and it finally got to the point were it was unmanageable. By that I mean I could barely walk and I couldn't sleep even with large amounts of pain med and muscle relaxers. Part of my problem was that my normal doc would never order an MRI. He kept trying the conservative approach (more pain meds and anti inflammatories).
When I finally got an MRI (I had a doc friend of mine refer me to someone else), I ended up getting an epidural the next day and surgery about a week later.
Now my pain is gone and I'm thinking about how to get back into shape. I am curious who else had had this kind of procedure and what their experiences where getting back to their active lifestyle. Training in the pool again, cycling or running.... How did it go? how long until they felt 100% or did you ever feel 100% again?
I have had the same surgery about ten years ago, on L3-L4 and L4-L5, the latter of which was actually ruptured. I too could not walk much, had crushing, takeyourbreathaway pain radiating down my left leg, then it would turn to the pins and needles feeling and go numb (still had excruciating back pain though). My surgery was very successful but it took a while before I could do much. I remember I was not allowed to lift my elbow above my shoulder, so I started back in the water just walking, no arms. After months of struggling with pain and trying to get through daily activities much less any exercise, it felt good to be back in the water. I actually started coming to a water aerobics class, just didn't do the arm stuff. Once I was allowed to raise my arms I started some conservative swimming and a lot of kicking - I kicked on my back mostly, with and without fins, some board kicking - LOTS of kicking. This rehab time is when I really developed my underwater dolphin kick. After a summer of that I can say I had much better strength and flexibility in my lower back. But it took about eight months. I also made friends in the aerobics class and it improved my relationship with those I always considered noodlers, and they had a better appreciation of what I do in the water. An unexpected plus!
I have had the same surgery about ten years ago, on L3-L4 and L4-L5, the latter of which was actually ruptured. I too could not walk much, had crushing, takeyourbreathaway pain radiating down my left leg, then it would turn to the pins and needles feeling and go numb (still had excruciating back pain though). My surgery was very successful but it took a while before I could do much. I remember I was not allowed to lift my elbow above my shoulder, so I started back in the water just walking, no arms. After months of struggling with pain and trying to get through daily activities much less any exercise, it felt good to be back in the water. I actually started coming to a water aerobics class, just didn't do the arm stuff. Once I was allowed to raise my arms I started some conservative swimming and a lot of kicking - I kicked on my back mostly, with and without fins, some board kicking - LOTS of kicking. This rehab time is when I really developed my underwater dolphin kick. After a summer of that I can say I had much better strength and flexibility in my lower back. But it took about eight months. I also made friends in the aerobics class and it improved my relationship with those I always considered noodlers, and they had a better appreciation of what I do in the water. An unexpected plus!
