[Closed] Herniated disc - what to expect

I think you'll want to use sintered pads with that.

dunno mate but chin up eh.

Short term, I am fine with being injured and missing the rest of the season - I am much more worried that this will take cycling away from me in the longer term.

That scares me sh!tless 😐

in a similar place myself mate got some neurological weirdness going on that effects the right side of my body.
stuff aint worth much without your health.
best of luck.

Yes, experience of that! You WILL recover BUT it does take time!

I had it in 08 really bad where I thought I couldn't possibly ride like I used to again, it was quite a stressful time, and VERY painful. I couldn't even sit at the table to have breakfast in the morning (mornings were worse), I had to kneel on the floor and keep my back straight. Anyway, I did ride but only lighty when things allowed. It probably did take almost a year to get back to full recovery. I would say after having on going back problems leading to this for many many years, that now, I feel better than than I have for absolutely years! I raced in 09 (did well)and feel pretty strong now, so you will get there too, just don't over do it at this stage and get some massage, any massage doesn't have to be technical just manipulating the area works as well as a proper physio massage ime.

Btw - I do get some light tingling in my left foot (top) and lower leg for short periods, but it is in no way uncomfortable. Apparently, the sciatic nerve gets 'tethered'after this and provides these sensory feelings for some time. It doesn't bother me at all, in fact I had to edit this, because I only just remembered that.

O, and it didn't make any difference to me, whether I rode full suss or hardtail, as it was a chronic problem and not an accute injury.

All the best mate

Pete

Hmmm... I had a Herniated disc when I was 20 after a particularly harsh MTB fall.

Everyone is different, but the things that may happen are well described here :-

http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/herniateddisk/a/ruptureddisk.htm

Physio, osteopathy and Chiropractic can all help, but will not generally solve the root cause of the problem, as if the disk has ruptured then there is nothing short of Surgery that will sort it out.

I experienced horrific sciatica as a result, ended up walking with a stick and almost bent double. After about 8 weeks of excruciating pain, I started with symptoms of cauda equina syndrome (being unable to piss properly). Rushed into a Nuerosurgical ward and operated on. Since then I have only occasionally suffered with muscular problems in my back, but these are few and far between.

I found that 3 things helped in recovery. Intense strengthening physio on my back muscles, a Correct riding position on a bike that actually fits me properly and a full sus bike.

Best of luck mate, you really do have my sympathy.

Been there too with a disc out of one of the lower vertebrae about 10 years ago (not sure of the exact definition of "herniated" but it was right out on the MRI). If you want a sob story with a happy ending, I was in absolute bits like lowey above, couldn't stand / sit etc and every tiny movement was excruciating. Didn't help that I was in the middle of intensive exams (I suspect all the sitting hadn't helped) and to cap it all then my ex-mrs left me. I said it was a sob story. Happy ending? Just when I thought it would never end (I won't mention the exploding car engine or the flooded kitchen!), 6 or so months later I got up one day and it just started getting better. The best bit was I took up biking to try and get my back moving again and get some strength into it at that point, discovered mountain biking, never looked back, and now ride hardtails happily all day. Oh yes and I passed the exams.

Hope that helps! Stick with it, they can be beaten.

Thanks guys, I really wanted to hear that there is a chance of getting back to racing shape. When you speak to Drs and or Chiros, they have no idea what you mean when you ask about cycling, I think they mean "can I ride to the shops?" and don't understand what an important part of our lives it is. I am sure that I would need some tharapy if I found out that I had to sell my bikes and never ride again. I'm sure my wife would end up leaving me too !!!

I'll take it easy and aim to be back for 2011 in the middle fot he field where I belong 🙂

Physio, osteopathy and Chiropractic can all help, but will not generally solve the root cause of the problem, as if the disk has ruptured then there is nothing short of Surgery that will sort it out.

Actually id suggest the opposite, Chiro, physio etc deal with the root cause and surgery deals with the consequence!

I also think you underestimate the bodys ability to heal. Surgery should be the last resort for a disc. Resecting parts of the disc, although the best course for some cases, will further weaken the motion segment and though short term will be the fastest and most comfortable solution will often weaken the spine long term.

Restoring proper mechanics and mobility to the joints and improving muscle strength will ensure the damaged area is functioning as normally and healthily as possible long term. Most disc problems develop gradually due to accumulation of strain-trauma causing gradual weakening ending in acute failure. If you can restore the function of the muscles, joints and improve your ergonomics you can massively reduce the stresses on the damaged structures allowing suprising results to achieved.

Just to reiterate i am not saying discectomy or similar is bad just that if you can resolve the condtition without turing to the knife you can achieve a better long term outcome.

That is my opinion anyway 😉

My suggestion would be seek conservative care with a qualified professional and if that does not resolve the condition then consider surgical options, which are excellent these days but should not be the first solution.

I am seeing a chiro and will probably go and see a doctor/physio as well.

The iron is that my back is stronger than it has ever been because I have been doing pilates since January and it was generally feeling pretty good.

I did a 12 hour MTB race a month ago as part of a team that tood me a week or so to recover from and have been racing every couple of weeks off road and also on the road. I slept upright on a plane coming home from the US and then 2 nights later did an XC race and that seemed to be the straw that broke the camels back.

I plan on taking my time coming back and making sure that I get a full bike fit done on my road bike and making sure that I am doing the right yoga/pilates the right way in the future.

Agree with Kamikirk above - I was told surgery was a final option and not advised if you're young.

As to chiros / Doctors - it really depends on them. I have seen them occasionally since with grumbly joints etc and many don't seem to "get" doing a consistent sport, some even advising you not to do nothing for a while. I recently found a sports physio by recommendation from a mate, it's excellent as he is essentially looking for ways to support my sport rather than trying to talk me out of it (fat lot of good that is!).

However, with the back all the advice I got was consistent which was as soon as you can move, keep it moving. Sitting still is the worst thing. I would agree.

As before, the best message I can give is don't give up, fight it but prepared to be patient as necessary. You will win if you really want to.

Just to chip in a bit more. I'm on the road to recovery from a pro-lapsed disc (a bit more sticky out than a herniated disc). I tried physios, chiros, doctors, everything to sort it out and nothing helped. Kept having relapses in the most ridiculous of situations (reaching for a towel for god's sake).

In the end went for surgery and it was fantastic. A year on and it is still slowly but surely getting better. Pilates, swimming and physio keep me on track.

The best bet is to try to get your GP to refer you to a specialist and get a full MRI done of your lower back to pinpoint exactly what/where the problem is. They should then be able to target your treatment plan and you might get away with not having surgery.

It's definitely worth getting the specialist involved as I do know someone who tried to play through the pain and ended up shattering his disc and damaging the nerves that run down his leg, which is permanent.

I recently found a sports physio by recommendation from a mate, it's excellent as he is essentially looking for ways to support my sport rather than trying to talk me out of it

Hope you make a speedy recovery.

My suggestion would be seek conservative care with a qualified professional and if that does not resolve the condition then consider surgical options, which are excellent these days but should not be the first solution.

Agree.

I herniated a disc about 2 years ago, just after finishing a new bike build. Have the advantage or disadvantage of being a quack so went to see one of my colleagues. Once the thing has herniated, it then starts to heal and contract and does so in its own sweet time - 3-6 months usually. Expect tingling and pain down leg, worse on walking in my case although gentle biking actually had no effect and the orthopod didn't seem to have a problem with that. Surgery is a last resort if you have pain ++ or start to have bladder problems etc. as outlined above.

Most important issues for healthy future are 1) a decent physio teaching you to contract and strengthen lower abdominal muscles and core muscles generally, 2) posture - get rid of the slouch when sitting/standing and 3) get your seating arrangements sorted out. My problem was probably brought about by the crap chairs my employer gave me to sit on. I now have a combination of a [url= http://www.hag-uk.co.uk/ ]Hag office chair[/url] for my office, a [url= http://www.medesign.co.uk/shop/backfriend.php ]Backfriend[/url] for other peoples offices and meeting rooms and a set of [url= http://www.mckenzieinstitute.co.uk/products.htm ]Mckenzie rolls[/url] for car etc. The car was actually the biggest hassle because the random movement as you bounced along was the thing doing the biggest damage and had to be overcome by the core muscle work and the pads to support my lower back.

Agree with trying to find a chiro/osteo etc... who is actually into cycling and understands the sport. I'd seen a few and never felt they quite understood. Can recommend a great one in southampton if you are local

Herniated/prolapsed disc here, in '07 - could barely walk. Raced the 3 peaks CX '09 and doing same again and Kielder 100 this year. Just built a rigid 29er - great fun round Whinlatter.
You learn to live with a bit of pain. It gets easier. Some folk get cancer, or shot by strangers. It is hard at first though - people don't understand how crippling it can suddenly be.
Chin up and plan next years events. Don't get grumpy with your nearest and dearest.

If you haven't already you need to get a proper diagnosis from a back/neck consultant specialist, which will probably involve an MRI scan and an analysis of your general posture by a physio who specialises in backs. Personally I wouldn't go near Chiros or Osteos, they will do more harm than good until the disc sorts itself out and goes back where it belongs, which it will most probably do over a couple of painful months.

I had a herniated disc in my neck, C6/7, a few years back with repeated relaspes. I was referred to a specialist back & neck clinic where core body strengthening and a complete review of how I sit, sleep, drive and stand has got it under control. The relapses have become less frequent and milder - this is partly due to the corrective measures and partly because the dodgy discs get firmer the more the herniate (so I was told).

It's possible to make a good recovery, but it requires work and effort and there will possibly be things that you should avoid - e.g. I can no longer head a football or dive into a swimming pool! Surgery is the final option - it carries a risk and any recovery is extended - so best avoided unless there's no other choice.

Hi im 7 weeks post op had a disc taken out of my neck C6/7... I now have an artificial disc, much better than fusion in my opinion. I had pins, needles, pain and tight muscles in my left side for a year.. it ruined my life and I could not ride, with 2 kids it was awful and I could not pick them up. I was on 3 pain killers and taking over 30 tabs a day to get through...... Life was hell on earth. My neck is now almost back to normal after just 7 weeks and Im back to work. Yes its a big operation but it has tackled the issue, all the physio, chrio etc in the world did not cure it. Best thing ive ever had done! fusion on the other hand would have been a much longer recovery, plus fusion puts strain on the discs either side of a fusion and there is a risk of non fusion and loss of movement!! also I have spoken to lots of people who have avoided surgery but they struggle with re-lapses etc and go round in circles. I wanted the fixed and done option. The op was good around 3.5 hrs and the 1st week after is not fun, but after a few weeks I was much better and as I say 7 weeks on i am back to normal, back to work, got all my strength back in my arms, all the pins & needles and weekness has gone. So these issues are done and gone, no more messing around waiting for another bout of pain and problems. Sadly I also have a curve in my lower spine which is causing lots of pain and issues.. got an MRI on that tomorrow. But in a nut shell if the discs are that bad surgery is not a bad option if you want your life back!!!!! its worked for me... very well, I would def do it again in the same situation.

Personally i would not recomend chiropractors (certainly not the one I went to). Although they did get me back on my feet, i am left with the distinct feeling that they are a lifestyle option rather than a cure for a problem. Maybe I went to a bad one, but lots of folk I have spoken with think similar, once they start manipulating your back they have to continue to sort the problems they then create....go to a good physio, avoid going under the knife unless you've got refered symptoms (pins and needles, pain or numbness).

go to a good physio, avoid going under the knife unless you've got refered symptoms (pins and needles, pain or numbness).

I don't agree. Go to an Osteopath (they can do what a physio and a chiro can do) and view surgery as a final option. I had 75% loss of strength in one foot (couldn't raise up onto my toes) due to sciatica (referred symptoms). Still get numbness now, but so glad I didn't cave in to surgery.

so glad I didn't cave in to surgery.

its not about caving in.... its taking the appropriate route to getting better, Osteo, physio etc may help in some cases but not others, surgery is right in some, not others. I guess it depends how bad the issue is, what will fix it and in my case a Nuro surgeon made that judgement, he said it would never go away without surgery. Had I not "caved in" I would still be waking up every day in pain, spend my day in pain and repeat!..... I also have a curve in my spine which is crushing a few discs.... no amount of physio, Osteo etc is going to straighten it out.

its not about caving in.... its taking the appropriate route to getting better, Osteo, physio etc may help in some cases but not others, surgery is right in some, not others. I guess it depends how bad the issue is, what will fix it and in my case a Nuro surgeon made that judgement, he said it would never go away without surgery. Had I not "caved in" I would still be waking up every day in pain, spend my day in pain and repeat!..... I also have a curve in my spine which is crushing a few discs.... no amount of physio, Osteo etc is going to straighten it out.

Agree with Spankmonkey

I had surgery when I was 30, couldn't walk straight at the time, severe pain every time I sat or stood, difficulty sleeping (and the symptoms had persisted for over a year. Since the op I've rockclimbed extensively, run 3 half marathons and only got into biking because my knees are getting bad but I am 57 now (sound like my grandad).