bblair

I am about 6 weeks out from L4-L5 discectomy surgery. Anyone else? The first month was, to put it mildly, terrible. I could only walk half a block and couldn't sit on my bike and bend over to reach the handlebars.

Now, back to riding Zwift for up to an hour and have done a few outdoor rides of 20-30 miles. I should note that it's winter in Ohio, so that is better than couch time. But, still a fair amount of pain when I sit for too long, like in a movie. And still leg pain and some back pain.

So for those of you who have been through this, how long until I am back to 100%? Lots of spring rides coming up and a week-long tour in June-Bike Virginia.

Where to walk the line between not overdoing it and Rule #5 ?

MoAlpha

Everything depends on the anatomy down there. Assuming they operated for a sound reason and removed the material that was impinging on the nerve root, the leg pain should go away. If they didn't, which happens, then all bets are off. Back pain can mean many different things, but the most common one would be related to the biomechanical issue that caused the disc to herniate in the first place, and can usually be greatly improved with strength and flexibility training. I assume you are not referring to local pain in the operative site, which should be pretty well healed by this point.

I had a herniated L3 disc with a free fragment and it was by far the most pain I had ever experienced. I also lost about a third of the bulk in my left vastus medialis. I gutted it out with intraforaminal sterioid injections instead of surgery on the advice of my neurosurgeon who cited the risk of fibrosis in the operative bed, leading to permanent pain and disability. I was able to ride in about two weeks, was pain free in five months, strength recovered in a few months, but the bulk is still coming back and the muscle is still fasciculating. Again, that's the natural history of the disease. Surgery should shorten the course.

I got total religion about core and pelvic girdle strength after my little adventure and have found it very helpful for maintaining an aggressive position on the bike and for avoiding back issues in general. I just wish I had done it 20 years earlier. Good luck!

jadocs

I've had discectomy and fusion. Fusion was by far the most painful. Did the doctor tell you if your walls (disc) were fibrous or pretty much normal? Min were fibrous and I re-ruptured in a few weeks doing nothing but normal movements during recovery.

bblair

Didn't say, or I don't remember.

I purposely had the surgery late November to try and be fully back by Spring. Rehab and training don't bother me, and I actually like having a goal to work towards.

But I am trying to be realistic too. BTW, age 63, if that matters at all.

delbiker1 

Are your physical therapist and doctor on board with riding 20 to 30 miles already? Have you discussed with them the pain you are having? Certainly some pain at his point is inevitable. I have had 4 spinal surgeries, including 2 partial discectomies at L5-S1, 1999 and 2002. In 2004, I wound up having a total disc replacement done at the same level. I now have a mechanical disc at L5-S6. 2007 I had spinal fusion at C5-C6. You really do not want to overdo the exercises and strain the back at this point. Do what the doc and PT ask/tell you to do. I am fortunate that I have done well with so many surgeries. I still ride a road bike and average about 4,000 miles a year. It took a good while to get to the point that I could do so. Many people do not recover so well, a significant number of those either did not do the rehab well, or over did the activities too soon, and re-injured themselves. Honest communication with your caregivers is extremely important!

bblair

At my 1 month post op check, he told me that I can do whatever I want without limitations. Ride, lift weights etc. Just don't over do it and use my common sense. Lots of room there. But let's face it, to the general public, a 20 mile bike ride is crazy. To many of us here, that's not even worth getting out of bed for!

No formal PT, "unless you really want to, otherwise do it yourself at home. Find the exercises on the internet or use the ones pre-surgery PT showed you." Ok, just saved me lots of $$.

delbiker1 

bblair, good for you. I am always glad to hear about someone recovering well from spinal surgery of any kind. One other thing I meant to mention. You probably already know this, but ice packs have been my go to for back pain for a long time. It always helps me when I am sore in any spinal area. I wish you well going forward.

bblair

I try to do something aerobic everyday: ride my trainer, walk the dog....Sometimes it's fine, but other days, like today, my lower back and right leg hurt and my foot is numb for a while. Especially standing on a hard floor, like the grocery.

I know,,,it's only been 6 weeks, but I am impatient and tired of having it hurt all the darn time. Wears on me, ya know?

fastcarbon

Mine was at L5S1. I was fully back in 6 weeks with no pain. Unfortunately about 7 years later I had a multilevel lumbar fusion. I was totally off the bike about 6 weeks and then took several months to get back to competitive form. I think your age makes a difference in recovery. I was 70 for the fusion and 63 for the microdiscectomy. If you ride hard your body seems to let you know how you are doing.

bblair

New wrinkle today: the Mrs. wants me to repaint the living room. Can I tell her that my back hurts too much for that, then go out and ride 50 miles? Just asking.

bblair

Over did it today, that was dumb. I ride with a half dozen or so fellow retirees, and they were going out today since it was a balmy 43º, so I joined along. 38 fairly flat miles at a very relax pace, but still off the back a few times. Then I went home and fell asleep, sore.

Day off tomorrow, not going to hike or ride or any of that stuff.

bblair

10 weeks out. My plan was to slowly ramp up, but it was 61º yesterday; not a typical Ohio day in February. So I rode 45 miles with 3000 ft of climbing with some friends. Not fast, but felt pretty decent. Ridewithgps confirmed my slow ascent, but heck, it's February!

I don't feel nearly as bad as I feared.

Strangely though, I went shopping Saturday with the Mrs. and could hardly stand up after that misadventure. I think there's a lesson to be learned there.

qcpmsame 

Good on ya, the riding can make a big difference in the recovery and how long it takes to get back your fitness. Depending on how long you were on your feet shopping with the missus, you might need better shoes for your feet and your gait. If the shoes are getting long in the tooth, the cushioning is most likely compressed or hardened. I try to keep an eye on the age and usage of shoes, especially running, cycling and activity types, and how they feel to my feet and legs. I can tell a difference in the feel, and how my back feels when I replace an old pair. Check with your spinal specialist/surgeon for a reference to a podiatrist if needed.

Bill