Hi,
I suffered for 2 years on and off from 06 with a bad back. I used to get the pins and needles thing just as you say, and the total inability to lay the power down when seated. I was regularily seeing a physio, and both him and myself reckoned I was about 85% recovered, when I helped a friend move house in oct 07. Lifted one end of a wooden bench and twisted a bit, and it went ping big time… The pain that built over the next 2 days was unbeleviable. Ended up going to A&E for diazepam and tramadol..
Saw one specialist, had an MRI scan and had a massive prolapse (2/3 of the spinal canal taken up with disc!), but he wouldn’t operate on me, as I could still walk apaprently. (but believe me, it wasn’t really walking as I know it now!). anyhow, sought a 2nd opinion, and he took one look at the size of the prolapse and I was operated on in dec 07.
The first couple of months of recovery was quite slow. Initially could hardly walk 2 minswithout pain, but so glad I did it. Even immediately after the op, I could feel less ‘pressure’ on my spine and legs. One year and 2-3 months on and I’m out for 3-4h rides (roadie and mtb) with no problems. Still doing lots of yoga, ‘balance’ and pilates and prob will have to for ‘ever’ now, but if it means I can ride.. thats not a problem.
Lots of good advice on exercises here already, especially the planks versions and the swiss ball work.
doenside on the op is that I’ve got a bit of nerve damage doen one leg, abd can’t really feel front of my shin and big toe… but when its cold I can’t feel it and the times it cramps up, again I can’t feel a thing! Am told nerves ‘may’ grow back, but can be very slow, about 1mm per day max, and its a long way from the spinal column to the bottom of yer foot! so we’ll see…
Take home message, if you can see a proper physio ASAP for structured recovery program, and then don’t help a mate move house! But if it does go, big time, you can still get it sorted… Am palnning on doing the Trans Rockies this august!
Mark
