I herniated my L5 last year in December. I am a track runner and distance runner, so my doctor thinks the trauma caused by the running and weak abs may have caused it. Anyway, im actually regaining flexibility and movement, but does anyone know how long it takes to fully heal? I cant wait to get back to running!
2006-09-29 13:25:53 · 7 answers · asked by Collegebound... I hope! 1 in Health ➔ General Health Care ➔ Pain & Pain Management
Yes, it happened to me about 10 years ago, leading to very painful sciatica for several months. The cause was (a) doing a sedentary job for years and letting the muscles of the torso collapse and (b) going on a very rough reporting trip to Africa which involved punishing journeys in a landrover over rough terrain which bounced me up and down on my seat for several hours each day. After an intensive course of painkillers and anti-inflammatories at the outset, I had to have physiotherapy and ultra-heat treatment on the L4 and L5 area and the lower leg (for referred pain) every week for some years, I regret to tell you, and readjust my exercise programme to build up abdominal and dorsal muscles and avoid putting any downward stress on the back. A more athletic person would no doubt recover faster.
I was offered surgery but refused it because it would have made the lower back rigid forever afterwards.
I was never a runner so I can't say when you might be able to get back to that, though I suspect your doctor might advise you to cut down because of the pounding it gives to the lower back. From my own experience I found I pretty soon recovered the ability to swim - in fact it was an important part of the cure. And I was able to ride a bike again about a year after the hernia.
I still get odd twinges of sciatica, for example if I carry or pull a heavy suitcase or have to lift heavy objects, so I'm afraid the cure in my case hasn't been 100% complete. But it isn't a problem in day-to-day life any more.
Good luck.
2006-09-29 13:47:52 · answer #1 · answered by Dramafreak 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Is quite true.. once herniated, it does not heal.. just hope your doc has misdiagnosed your condition. If you have been advised thus; I would suggest you get a second opinion. I have not only a herniated disc but no disc space left at L5,S.1..It has never caused me to not be able to work or any activity. Once I understood what the problem was, I could get it taken care of whenever there was some mild recurrence of symptoms. There are spurs appearing but no fusion has taken place yet and I am well into my 70's.
2006-09-29 21:34:33 · answer #2 · answered by mrcricket1932 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In most cases, if a patient’s low back and/or leg pain is going to resolve after a lumbar herniated disc it will do so within about six weeks. While waiting to see if the disc will heal on its own, several conservative treatment options can help reduce the back pain, leg pain and discomfort caused by the herniated disc.
Physical therapy
Osteopathic/chiropractic manipulations
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
Oral steroids (e.g. prednisone or methyprednisolone)
An epidural (cortisone) injection
If the pain continues after six weeks, it is reasonable to consider microdiscectomy surgery as an option to alleviate the pain from the herniated disc. A microdiscectomy essentially acts as a microdecompression of the nerve root to provide the nerve with a better healing environment.
2006-09-29 20:37:05 · answer #3 · answered by junaidi71 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They DONT heal. What happens is the inflammation goes away with treatment with anti-inflammatories. When the pain is gone , Id go back to what you were doing. Running, or whatever.
Weak abs has NOTHING to do with it. Thats crazy, Ive never heard that. Just remember....NO LIFTING.
I have two herniated discs in my neck and two herniated discs in my lower back. I have had back surgery and am still being treated for chronic pain, due to these discs. Although the surgery was successful, I was having sciatica pain, and it went away with surgery.
2006-09-29 20:37:08 · answer #4 · answered by ~~ 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It doesnt heal you will have to deal with it the rest of your life may get to feeling better for a while cause your still young but it will come and haunt you later be carefull lifting cut down on leg lifts walking and jogging are good running hummm do it till you cant.
2006-09-29 20:29:47 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have now!! Have had other H/D The usually don't just go away(heal) See a Good Neuro DR. Make a Quality of life judgment. GOOD LUCK!!
2006-09-29 20:51:14 · answer #6 · answered by fanuttin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
no
2006-09-29 20:33:46 · answer #7 · answered by tweet 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋