Herniated disc surgery

[jaz14a]

I was injured while riding 3 years ago and has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. I was referred to a pain management doctor and was prescribed Lyrica. It does help a lot by I am concern about its long term side effect. Now I am seriously considering having my herniated disc operated on but I am also worried about the risk involve.

Has anyone here had a similar experience? I haven't been able to ride for a long time now and I miss riding so much. I hope that by having the surgery I can go back to riding.

I would appreciate any advice that you can throw my way.
Thanks in advance.

 

[krebs303]

I was injured while riding 3 years ago and has been diagnosed with a herniated disc. I was referred to a pain management doctor and was prescribed Lyrica. It does help a lot by I am concern about its long term side effect. Now I am seriously considering having my herniated disc operated on but I am also worried about the risk involve.

Has anyone here had a similar experience? I haven't been able to ride for a long time now and I miss riding so much. I hope that by having the surgery I can go back to riding.

I would appreciate any advice that you can throw my way.
Thanks in advance.

I have 5 bulging lumbar discs. Surgery is not an option for me. Back surgery has come a long ways in the last few years. I said for a while I didn't want surgery but the pain got to me so I went to 3 different surgeons who all agreed that I was not a good candidate for surgery. I am now taking morphine for pain which works very well. I hope to at least set up the wind trainer and see how I do. My balance has been iffy the last three years so I am hoping that with some saddle time it will improve enough to get on the road/trail.

I wish you luck and a successful surgery, if that is your choice.

 

[Barracuda]

Sure have ........

I have a herniated disk at C7 - lower neck...

UNbelievably painful and debilitating. I was off work for 8 weeks and was on morphine and antiinflamitories for pain management ..... basically C7 controls the nerves for the entire left arm etc.

Chair bound for 9 weeks not fun.

Neurosurgeon gave me two options.

1. Disc replacement surgery via the front of my neck - not pretty and a bit iffy being so close to spinal cord.

2. Continue pain management and have a large cortisone needle into C7 then manage with ice/heat treatments and constant physio.

I took number two option as a first step and so far so good. Back at work now and back on the bike two days a week.

Feeling stronger but still some residual pain / numbness in hand from nerve damage.

Better so far and managed to avoid getting cut open ..... which I believe to be my best option at the minute.

Which disc is yours?

 

[zealot66]

4 lumbar discs

I have four herniated discs in my lumbar region. One is totally flattened, degenerative disc disease. road cycling has been the best single therapy for my condition. I manage through pain killers, stretching and working out. Surgery is not on my radar as I would have to have a multi level fusion with only a 25 percent chance of full success and still be on meds.

the forward position takes pressure off the herniations and the pelvic tilting from pedalling helps loosen up my sacrum and lumbar area. It also strengthens the exact core muscle groups that physical therapists want you to do. I had a bad year and barely got to ride but intend on getting back on this winter and have a good year next year and do a couple of centuries.

Alot of what is effective for a person depends on the herniations position, the severity and simply luck. experiment and leave surgery for the last option that you will take and it would have to be for me, ****ing myself, foot drop, etc. Pain is something that can be managed. Once they cut you open, its a slippery slope downwards. They can never undo the cutting and tinkering with your muscles, grinding down of the bone and you cant get 'unfused' if it goes bad. People dont realize that about 80 percent of patients in pain management clinics are victims of failed back surgery.