herniated lumbar disc -- how long before one can resume hiking?

I managed to herniate one of my lumbar discs, though I have absolutely no idea how. Last weekend was one of relaxation with my family, I just lounged around and enjoyed the company of my kids. Monday morning, I awake in severe pain. Go figure.

Does anyone have any personal experience with this -- specifically, how long they had to wait it out before hitting the trails once again? I understand I may have to sit out for November, but what about December..? Alex is looking forward to winter hiking again...I hope this doesn't take longer than a month or two to sufficiently heal for that kind of activity.

I have a good doctor, who refuses to give me any timeframe at all as to when I can get back out there, just says to give it a couple of weeks and then we'll assess the long-term situation. Being an extremely impatient person, I'd like it much better if someone could just tell me, the exact date as to when I can resume hiking.

TrishandAlex said:

Does anyone have any personal experience with this -- specifically, how long they had to wait it out before hitting the trails once again? I understand I may have to sit out for November, but what about December..?

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I've had some back problems before and usually I resume activities when it feels better...

You're going to get the worst advice in the world by asking such an open-ended question on this site. We're all doctors here. I would say, if the doctor that you pay the money to says it's ok to exercise, keeping your back strong is a good thing. Also, when they finally tell you how many days it will be till you can resume hiking, divide that number by three and hit the trails.

-Dr. Wu

It depends...

I herniated a disk a few years ago. Was back hiking in a few months but took quite some time to get to 100%.

THe best thing I can say is find a good PT and stretch A LOT. I also found that it took quite a while 'till I could carry a big pack.

See this thread...

http://www.vftt.org/forums/showthread.php?p=290007

TrishandAlex said:

Being an extremely impatient person, I'd like it much better if someone could just tell me, the exact date as to when I can resume hiking.

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I'll tell you. November 12. Take two ibuprofen with a grain of salt.

Seriously, no one, not your doctor, radiologist, PT, daughter or I can give you some exact date. It sounds like your doc's advice of PIBE is the best you can hope for. You may feel better tomorrow, or next week or next year. Who knows?

I just learned the results of my recent x-rays and my doctor's reaction was that my "back's a mess." Lumbar vertebrae not lined up right, disc degeneration, and a couple of other issues. At least now I know the reasons for the pain I've been in for some time. PT starts tomorrow and we'll see how it goes. Depending on my progress, or lack thereof, the doc will reassess my situation and consider referring me to a specialist for further evaluation if necessary.

Everyone's situation is different. Ask anyone on this forum who has recovered (or not) from one or another myriad injuries or other challenges.

teejay

TrishandAlex said:

I managed to herniate one of my lumbar discs, though I have absolutely no idea how.

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Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. (Though I know exactly how I did it.)

TrishandAlex said:

Last weekend was one of relaxation with my family, I just lounged around and enjoyed the company of my kids. Monday morning, I awake in severe pain. Go figure.

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You sure the girls didn't put you at at the bottom of a pig-pile...?



I herniated a lumbar disc at the tender age of 28, and it was the most excruciating pain I have ever felt, before or since, so I hope you've got good meds.

As far as recovery goes, my only comment is to take it slow and easy. IMO, it would be better to miss some weeks or months of hiking now in order to avoid chronic back issues in the future. That said, depending on how bad the disc is and how quickly you recover, it's not out of the question for you to be back hiking this winter. Doing your day hikes with a light/no pack is obviously much different than throwing on a 60-pounder for a Presi Traverse.

I did PT for a coupla months and have had no issues in the decade-plus since my injury (knocks wood). I do make sure to do back raises and Supermans as part of my workout routine now, and continue to do a lot of stretching (which I did before the injury). I'm also much more conscious of my posture. Being a desk jockey is one of the worst things for one's back, unfortunately.

PM me if you want more details. Hope your recovery goes smoothly.

dr_wu002 said:

You're going to get the worst advice in the world by asking such an open-ended question on this site.

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...

dr_wu002 said:

Also, when they finally tell you how many days it will be till you can resume hiking, divide that number by three and hit the trails.

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Ayup! Thanks, doc!

TrishandAlex said:

I have a good doctor, who refuses to give me any timeframe at all as to when I can get back out there, just says to give it a couple of weeks and then we'll assess the long-term situation.

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Alex...I am very sorry to hear this.
Your doc is doing the right thing. It's amazing how sudden the onset can be, even a sneeze will do it for some folks.

A lot will depend on how symptomatic you are and if you are compromised in any way neurologically. I.E. numbness or weakness in your lower extremities, and pain.
Whatever you do, don't start your own exercise plan even if you start to feel better because you can do more damage.
Unfortunately it is a wait and see game but eventually you will have a resolution. Be prepared that it might be a real exercise in developing "patience", something none of us seem to be endowed with when it comes to limiting our physical activities.
I was just DX with severe degenerative disease of my LS spine. It's just not a whole lot of fun but it does explain why I have so much pain and don't walk so great.
It's good to get lots of info but try not to compare yourself to others with a similar problem. Everyone is different and our outcomes are to.
Keeping a positive mental outlook can at times be a challenge but will be really helpful.
Wish you the best!

TrishandAlex said:

I have a good doctor, who refuses to give me any timeframe at all as to when I can get back out there, just says to give it a couple of weeks and then we'll assess the long-term situation. Being an extremely impatient person, I'd like it much better if someone could just tell me, the exact date as to when I can resume hiking.

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Exactly seventeen days after the injury. Trust me

Or, if you are smart, follow your doctor's advice

Thanks, folks.

Wu, I always enjoy your comments -- I appreciate a good dose of smart-ass in the morning. I say that with genuine affection.

I have a great doc and will see a PT...however, it is nice to hear from other hikers who have been in the same situation. Often their experiences give a better indication of what to expect than the words of a doctor who has never set foot on a trail. If I can find a good PT who is also a hiker, or who engages in a similar kind of activity on a regular basis...then that would be optimal.

Maddy, JDub, Stash, and teejay -- thank you for sharing your experiences. I appreciate it!

I will do everything possible to ensure winter hiking will happen this year, as I've got a munchkin who is very anxious to get out there. Looks like I will need to make sure I have a few others with me to help carry my 200 pounds of emergency equipment, though. Either that, or Alex needs to grow a bunch of back muscles pronto.

Thanks again, everyone, for your well-wishes.

Teejay and Mohamed, thank you for the specific dates of possible recovery. That's exactly the information I wanted to know.

Mrs. Grumpy suffered a herniated lower back disc (lumbar region) during the very early 1990s. Initially, it was treated with physical therapy.

But it eventually degenerated (ruptured) to the point that pain was unbearable, and surgery was done. The surgery removed disc material from between the affected vertebrae; I don’t believe there was a fusion procedure of the sort usually described these days. Her surgeon was regarded as one of the top neurosurgeons of his era – he was very concerned about relieving pain and returning patients to the most “normal” life possible.

The surgery was a success. Recovery and rehab took several months, but Mrs. G. has since been able to stand, walk and do other things normally (but does them more carefully). There is residual loss of sensation in one foot, resulting from damage done while the disk was deteriorating.

G.

Get well

Really sorry about the disc. Time heals all so be patient and don't push it. You have a lot of years ahead with the Gals. We will keep you in our thoughts.

Trish, I hope this doesn't keep you from the potluck. We'll reserve a comfy chair for you.

Pat had a herniated disc years ago. He couldn't even lie down for a few weeks, and his recliner saved him from a lot of sleepless nights. I looked up some information and came away with 2 startling nuggets:

1. Keep doing what you always do as much as possible. Don't just atrophy;
2. Some researchers studied a lot of spines and discovered that apparently healthy backs belonging to pain-free people had a decent percentage of slipped discs, so those in themselves aren't what cause the pain. I know, cold comfort when you're afraid to move.

Sorry to hear you are going through this! I have not had this type of injury but did fracture my L4 a few years back and it was extremely painful, my sympathies to you right now!

Hang in there! You are young and healthy and in time you will be out there again.

I just had a visit form a cousin that I had not seen in 10 years. As kids we were quite close and to this day have a very good relationship. He is not very active.

He had a similar thing happen to him. His problems have been touched upon here. He has had a bad time with his problems extending to his leg.

One peice of information he shared and is appropriate(always need to look up the spelling of that word) to pass along. His Dr said surgery would eliminate pain today. Doing PT and pain meds would work slower but in time he would be in exactly the same place. He said no to the surgery.

As similar as our bodies are they are sooooo different. I hike with some sort of pain everytime I hike. So I hike often! It is strange that I find a new source of pain with each adventure. I would rather be out there doing something with pain that to be sitting home with pain.

For now, I would just tell everyone, "what a pain in the back this is".

Get better soon.

Trish,
Hope you heal fast and completely. My wife went through this. Happened falling on ice when walking the dog. Her problem was quite serious and she had to finally resort to surgery. If, God forbid, you require this, I would be happy to forward you the name of her surgeon in Boston (he was amazing) and my wife would be happy to talk with you about her experience.

Best of luck to you.

Marty

VFTTers are the best!

Thanks everyone, for your words of experience, comfort, and support. I've had a lot of private messages and emails during the last 24 hours from this super-cool hiking community. Wasn't expecting that kind of response, thank you.

Marty, if it comes to surgery, I will definitely send a pm your way, thank you. I hope your wife has fully recovered and has regained 100% of her previous strength and abilities.

To those who contributed their own experiences (or the experiences of loved ones) -- I am much obliged. Each story helps form an overall picture of what I might expect...so again, many thanks.

I am fortunate to have an excellent health care plan and fantastic doctors, which is more than a lot of people in this world have, so I consider myself blessed.

Actually, this injury is fortuitous, in a twisted sort of way. As a homeschooling mom, I have very little time to pursue personal interests....now I have plenty, at least for the next couple of weeks. Kids are now being taken to their myriad of afternoon activities by friends and family...thus affording me some much-needed quiet time and space...so I find myself grateful for the forced reprieve from normal life.

Though of course, if I can't hike for a month or more, I WILL go stark raving mad...but I'll jump off that bridge when I come to it.

And....as mysteriously as it appeared, it disappears....

I woke up this morning 100% pain-free.

Did the disks pop themselves back into place overnight? What the hell am I doing in my sleep?

TrishandAlex said:

And....as mysteriously as it appeared, it disappears....

I woke up this morning 100% pain-free.

Did the disks pop themselves back into place overnight? What the hell am I doing in my sleep?

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Good news, but I'd wait more than a few hours to declare myself cured...

Doug

Awesome! Just... go easy for a while. Just in case!