[Closed] Slipped disc question

Your sciatic nerve is likely still pinched. In a worst case scenario, a nerve block may be necessary. More likely, though, is that a good sports physio will be able to target the area and get function back.

It’s a bit blurry due to being on bucket loads of painkillers but my consultant was way more worried about numbness than pain and suggested numbness can be permanent.

I’ve had two herniated disks and surgery on one of them. Maybe revisit the doc?

Actually that was after six months so slightly different. Didn’t mean to cause panic.

As for time off the bike, the last flare up I had eased up after 6 weeks. Everybody’s different but gentle mtb riding on the road to start helped me and work up from there.

The general advice I've had if the pain/numbness extends below the knee, you should seek advice. Also, can you control flow when you go to the toilet (ie start, stop and start again, and feel it)? If no to the later, get to A&E. If you can, but still have numbness below your knee, see your doctor or physio when they reopen this week.

I found I could cycle with a slightly refine riding position, on my cross bike, for a few miles, within a few weeks of my two disc prolapses. Don't be afraid to get off and lie in the verge and stretch. Common practice for backs it to keep moving and cycling, gently is one of the ways to help it. Get a physio to look at your whole life practice and see what you need to do, to avoid a second case (I didn't do this, until after the second case!). Doh .

I have long standing back issues stemming from a slipped disk about 20 years ago.

The back is really good at isolating the problem, you basically learn to avoid that bit of the back and move other bots instead.  This is what I (sub consciously did) when I hurt my back and I now still have issues, 20 years later.

Decent sports physios are worth their weight in gold, both for making sure that doesn't happen and identifying if there is anything more serious going on.

I love the NHS but when people talk to me about bad backs I always recommend paying to be seen by a decent physio quickly.  If you are in the Scottish Borders I can highly recommend Danny at Border Physio.

When I had my disc go the first time, I found cycling was about the only way I could get about. I think being on the bike helped to stretch my back and aliviate the pain. The biggest problem was getting on the bike in the first place.

To highlight the question above, check waterworks operate properly. Some long term nerve damage is not unusual but I wouldn't expect it to be totally numb.

I was back cycling within 2 months of being operated on.

I have a partial herniation at L5/S1 and suffer intermittent but total numbness in my left quad. It's very strange.

As others have said - any issues with bowel or bladder and it's straight to A&E.

One leg or both? If both seek medical attention, especially if accompanied with any bladder or bowel disturbance, sexual dysfunction and/or any difficulty walking.

If only one then less serious but prob still worth getting sorted, especially if it's been ongoing for six weeks. Who diagnosed the slipped disc? Are you seeing a physio?

I herniated a disc just over a year ago. I did some self diagnosis which was confirmed by a doctor. The doctor gave me painkillers and told me to come back in 3 weeks if it was not better. They only seem to care about Cauda Equina syndrome. Was not referred to physio even though I could hardly walk and was in a lot of pain.

After seeing 3 doctors with no help I started to go to Pilates. My muscles had locked up around the herniation which he worked to loosen up. It took about 7 weeks before I could walk properly. He told me not to mountain bike for longer though. What research I did seemed to say that the outer shell of the disc takes a long time to heal.

My back went again in December, was putting up some shelves and one was quite heavy. Got referred to physio straight away. This time I've been keeping up with the exercises. I sold my hardtail and bought a full suspension (not sure if I really needed to do it but thought it would reduce the jarring on my back).

I'm still getting some Sciatica, I just have to try and keep up the exercise and hope it will eventually go away.

Your situation sounds very similar to mine as I went to the doctors they just give me painkillers and said keep moving. So 4 more visits late they finally sent me to a physio and sent off for a scan still waiting for that though.Anyway the numbness as gone it’s pins needles in my foot now

The physio diagnosed me with a slipped disc also it’s in bottom part of my left leg the numbness as gone but it’s been replaced with pins needles

L5/s1 about 18 months ago.

Still have left calf and outside of left foot numbness at times. Sloght pelvic lift on RHS too

I ride still but have reduced power on left side. Have started Pilates and that is starting to help.

You may just have to learn to live around it

The biggest problem is the weight I have put on caused by periods of inactivity- it' a bugger to shift when you get older!!!