HELP! Injury-need input/support.

I have recently injured my back; a disk protrusion of 8-10mm at L5/S1 lumbar disk is displacing the S1 nerve root. It has disabled me for 3 months now....I was hoping for input from those who may have gone through a similar experience. What had you done that was beneficial, how long to recovery, did you have surgery(what type), did you do all you could not to have surgery, are you symptom free now, if not what symptoms exist, when did you ski again, and anything else.....Sorry for the run-on! Obviously, the most important question is when did you ski again!!! I have been improving with many aspects of physical therapy, nutrition, and injury massage. But is is just wearing on me, and would love to have some cyber-support!

Toby,<br><br>I know very little about the recovery from such injury, hopefully you will get some good responses from others, and certainly from you doctor. I have seen recently, should you resort to surgery, that they have now developed disc replacements. Something that I have wondered about for years, after hearing that for some back injuries in the lower back that troublesome disks are removed. I did not read deeply into the article, but it would seem to me that this replacement would offer essentially complete recovery.<br><br>All the best and good luck.<br><br>Alan

Och!! that's injury to be careful with, lots of variables involved  age, weight what activities you want to return to, risks you are willing to take. Being in the "medical Trades" I shopped long and hard before picking out the Ortho guy to replace my old narly hip with a new Striker "trident" hip!!! I am not risking cartwheeling tele turns, in breakable crust with a 40lb pack anymore, but am getting out to do pretty much what I want and need to do to keep sane and enjoy life.<br><br>Find a MD who shares or a least cares for patients with similar goals/values as yours and wants to see you return to your healthy lifestyle. I have heard and seen some great recoveries from my years at Harborview from injuries that  "impressed me" I have also seen backs that have got worse. Be careful, rehab, take your time follow the directions that the medical teams give you!!!<br> course it sounds like you are doing all that plus so I am just running on myself wish you luck!!<br><br>all IMHO<br><br>cw

Toby, sorry to hear of your injury.  <br><br>I suffered a herniated L5/S1 disk with severe nerve impingement in August 2003.  After months of therapy and pain killers I was eventually worn down to the point that I was willing to go under the knife.<br><br>I had a microdiskectomy and laminectomy in April 2004.  Recuperated with 3 weeks away from work and an extensive walking and stretching program.<br><br>Took my first turns on skis in December 2004 and have been skiing strong all season.  Touring, it has turned out, is great for my spine!  The more I tour, the better my back feels, honestly.<br><br>I certainly didn't want to have surgery, but after eight months of literally no improvement and ever increasing dosages of pain medications I felt it was my best option.  For me, surgery was the right choice and I've been fortunate in having made a very nice recovery so far.<br><br>There are obvious risks with spinal surgery and I felt it was the "last option" after all others were exhausted.  Just sharing my personal experience and would certainly encourage you to follow the professional advice of your doctors in your treatment.<br><br>Send me a PM, I'd be happy to share more with you.

Thank you all for the replies so far, as well as the private messages. It is greatly appreciated. I would like to hear anyone elses story regarding non-surgical healing, (or more surgical cases.) The surgery presented to me is a microdiskectomy, as an outpatient procedure. But the surgeon isn't pushing me, and is encouraging me to wait. Disk replacement is a facinating achievement, Alan. Sadly, I may need a surgery like this later in life.....CW, I am happy to hear you are skiing and feeling well on a "new" hip, plus thanks for the advice....I look forward to learning more about your (previous!!) injury JibberD, I sent you a PM.

Toby, I can offer no advice or similar experiences, but I can offer support. You're injury sounds really awful. This is a good season to be injured though, the skiing in general has been poor and any TR that suggests it hasn't is likely embellishing a bit.<br><br>Best of luck with a swift recovery and keep us updated!<br><br>Jeff<br><br>PS: I believe Markharf has/had a serious back injury and he seems to get out a lot!