Training After back injury - any experiences?

[sid_day]

I have a suspected herniated disc which is pressing on my sciatic nerve.
After 4 months of pain the symptoms are abating bit and I have an appointment in a week or so with a spinal specialist.

I wanted to ask advice of anyone else who has had this problem.
1. Did you get a any good specialist help? If so where?
2. When did the problem finally go away?
3. Did you need surgery?
4. Do you know anyone who has had surgery for this type of thing.

I have had physio and this has been some help but my left leg is now substantially weaker and slower than my right.

[Paul H]

Hi,

I had a herniated disc and had very similar symptons i.e. sciatic pain and total loss of calf strength in one leg (I was in the best form of my life at the time as well but thats another story of bitterness and anger).

I was referred to a spinal surgeon who wanted to cut open my back as physio did nothing for me. In the end, I saw an amazing osteopath who sorted out the loss of strength in one session. You need to get the loss of strength sorted asap as I was told the nerve can die if left too long.

You need to see a spinal surgeon to get an MRI scan done but I would think very carefully about surgery even just an epidural. From what I understand, this is a quick fix with long term implications and very nasty risks.

Im sorry to say that this issue will never go away completely whatever you decide to do - the pain will settle down but you will have to be careful for the rest of your life. You need to do core strengthing exercises/pliates when you are able to. I find swimming with Mr Snoup's wife helpful.

Inversion tables are very good for sciatic pain and I have one you could borrow if you like.

Happy to discuss further if you like.

[Will]

Although you are asking about surgery if it would help I could ask my Pilates teacher for her thoughts on non-surgical options that may help?

She may have some ideas from the perspective of someone who has herself recovered from a near fatal accident (20-foot fall on to concrete breaking her spine in several places), and who also will have helped many people cope with back injuries of varying severity.

[sid_day]

Will thanks for the offer. I don't want to put people out too much.
I'll see the contsultant hand give the osteopath a try now (it was too painful to consider an osteopath until now.)

[Will]

No worries.

Agree you definitely need to get the medical stuff done first!

I'll drop you an email if I have any further thoughts - are you at work (so should I use your work email?)

[sid_day]

I'm not at work today but I'm still in the same job so same email.
Cheers