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View Full Version : I now know why my back hurts



FINOCJ
April 1st, 2022, 08:39 PM
Sorry for the personal, non 4wd, medical post, but ....One of these disks is not like the others...
https://beamingpix.com/images/2022/04/01/PXL_20220401_235909928.jpg

'massive' herniation of the L4/5 disk that is protruding into the spinal cord. Doc said it's one of the 3-4 largest she's seen in her 10+ years. Not only did the outer annulur ring herniate, the inner nucleus ruptured as well.

Ive been managing back pain for years since a bad ski wreck in the Backcountry a number of years ago. Insurance would never approve MRI, but this winter has been rough. I've worked 94 days plus a few days unpaid professional development since mid-December, and I've started asking for less physically intense work assignments to manage the pain. When my work scheduler said I was as useful as my 79 year old colleague that only works half days, I decided I had to get the MRI. So I have 3 weeks more of work to manage, but my summer jeep, river and backpacks trips are all in jeopardy...surgery is looking likely, even somewhat so by my physical therapist. Guess I may have more time to remodel bathrooms at this rate. My 85 year very active father always says your only as old as you think/feel....well I am feeling old.

JandDGreens
April 1st, 2022, 09:39 PM
Bummer James, if you have to have surgery, I hope things go smoothly and you have a speedy recovery. How has this affected your move? Take care, David.

Brucker
April 1st, 2022, 10:55 PM
Wow. That sucks. I know everyone and every injury is different, but after blowing out my L5/S1 twice in 3 years, I would be doing everything to avoid surgery. I opted to get surgery the first time as the pain was unbearable, and I literally couldn't work. I took the advice of the surgeons I spoke to without realizing I should probably speak to some others who's main profession was to cut me open. Surgery didn't help much in the long run. The second time, I had surgeons telling me I needed a fusion. I finally wised up and looked for a second, third, forth, etc opinion. I realized that giving my body time to actually heal all while strengthening my core through rigorous PT was worth a shot as I could always get the surgery, but could never go back once I had the fusion. After about 9 months to a year of working with the greatest PT I have ever met, I am back, better than ever. I do need to keep up with my daily exercises and stretches or I notice the pain/inflammation is harder to keep at bay. Anywho, if you'd like the name of the PT I worked with, I would be happy to pass it along. She is located in Longmont, but well worth the drive.

Another tool that I still find very useful to this day is a foam roller. Laying with it along the length of your spine, you should find it naturally "relaxes" you back into position. Really helped relive a lot of the muscle tightness I carried in my chest and shoulders as I compensated for my lower back pain. Maybe it might help you?

I wish you the absolute best with this. Core muscle pain is like none other. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone.

Jim
April 1st, 2022, 11:18 PM
Health is #1 over jeeping / rafting! Readily put all of it on hold if you can improve your health. A "year out" is nothing - go for good health.

If I, or anyone else here, can help - just holler.

Java
April 3rd, 2022, 07:44 AM
That pic hurts to look at. So sorry this happened to you James and I hope it goes well. We all enjoy your rafting trip reports!

newracer
April 4th, 2022, 11:32 AM
Back pain is the worst. To echo what Aaron said, get several opinions and try other remedies before surgery. About 8 years ago I was in massive pain, I have stenosis all along my spine and a herniated disc. The first surgeon I went to wanted to cut me open from my lower back all the way to between my shoulders, recovery would have been 6-9 months. The second surgeon I went to said I only needed surgery in one specific location but to try PT and other options first. PT helped a lot but wasn't enough. A shot of anti-inflammatory and steroids also helped but still not enough. After about 9 months of trying I opted for the surgery to removed the protruding disc and cleanup the stenosis in the same area, it was immediate relief. About a year ago, the pain returned, MRI confirmed that the disc had herniated some more. This time PT was all I needed to get back to normal and I know do stretching and back exercises everyday. I think if I would have been doing that after the surgery I wouldn't have had a relapse.

I hope you get relief soon.