Bulging disc - outcomes?

[djjohnr]

My back has been messed up since October with my orthopedic surgeon suspecting a micro-tear. I finally got an MRI and they've found I have a bulging disc and level 2 degeneration from L3-L5. I have a feeling my DH days may be done. Anyone else have a similar injury? Outcome?

[rockofullr]

My back has been messed up since October with my orthopedic surgeon suspecting a micro-tear. I finally got an MRI and they've found I have a bulging disc and level 2 degeneration from L3-L5. I have a feeling my DH days may be done. Anyone else have a similar injury? Outcome?

Keep your head up. My uncle had a bulging disc and after some surgery and PT he is back racing on his skis again.

[LMC]

I had a bulging disc and some damaged ligaments 3 years ago but no degeneration (not that i know of anyway), in time it got better but i still have to be careful what i do. Core strength work helps alot, as did a herb called cissus.

[-BB-]

My back has been messed up since October with my orthopedic surgeon suspecting a micro-tear. I finally got an MRI and they've found I have a bulging disc and level 2 degeneration from L3-L5. I have a feeling my DH days may be done. Anyone else have a similar injury? Outcome?

I had a enflamed and partially bulging disk between L4 and L5. It wasn't totally out of place, no tears...
It would bulge, then receed after a few months... Then I would stop doing my PT (bc it felt better) and it would come back... This happened for about 2-3 years with at least 4 "episodes" during that time. Then I decided to keep up with the PT, keep stretching, build up my core strength. It has been over 2 years now since my last episode and I feel great. I am careful when lifting heavy items of course, but I have been DH'ing no problem.

I actually find that CLIMBING is more detrimental. Long grinding climbs while seated over rough terrain is murder on the back bc you can't absorb the undulations/bumps with your legs. It is just your back/butt against the seat, so all the "impact" goes directly into the spine.

[Gurney]

A car accident three years ago left me with a L4-L5 and L5-S1 severe disc bulge. My riding has definitely changed and so has my life but with proper core training and stretching I am able to get back to 75% of my activities. When on the bike I am 100% capable but just not for the same length of time. Rest and a bag of ice after riding will go a long ways. I also use a lumbar belt when riding only and that helps reduce the jarring and pain. Be positive and hype aware of your posture.

[ioscope]

I get back pain easily.

What works:
Stretching
Hot Baths
Cannabis
Inversion
Stretching
Core Exercise
Yoga/ Stances
Ride standing up more (helps a whole lot actually)
Hard bed with no pillow
Pull ups/climbing

What does not work:
Bucking hay
Falling repeatedly on pavement
Bad Posture
Sitting around all day
Stress
Soft Bed
The Couch
Too much seated biking

Good posture uses your muscles, which regenerate quickly and change shape easily. Bad posture stresses the skeleton and joints, which are not designed to be abused. So use good posture!

[rgunn26]

I had two (L3&5)herniated discs back in 2002. After 3 rounds of pt, cortizone injections and time off work, the problem was'nt any better. I ended up having a discectomy. (they trimed the portion of disc away that was pressing on the nerve.) Turned out the one disc was calcified and would have not healed without the operation.Part of the operation recovery pt was riding a stationary bike. When I recoverd enough, I started riding xc. In 2004 I bought a cannondale gemini, and have been riding dh since. In my case the most impotant thing is streching and keeping mobility, followed by core strength. I recently started using a foam roller, and it seems to help quite a bit as well.

[jwick]

I have had two separate discectomies four years apart. L4-L5 was the first. The second was the L4-L5 and L5-S1. I am now four and a half years out from the second surgery. My back is solid but I do have to be mindful to keep up on core exercises and how I lift things (I'm a contractor). I had herniated discs and massive sciatic pain and numbness in one leg. I live relatively pain free now after the surgeries. It sounds totally counter-intuitive but I find that riding DH actually makes my back feel better. Somehow it loosens it up. I've been riding mt bikes for twenty years now (DH for 8) and I don't see myself giving it up anytime soon.

I will also second everything in ioscopes's reply above.

[Huck Banzai]

Hmm, I popped l4/5 and c4/5+5/6 traumatically and while i have some numbness and occasional impingement (esp sciatica) overall PT has me at 100% except when they 'act up'.

Mind you - BURST, not bulging. Take care of yourself, you will be fine!

[Percy]

I've got 5 bulging discs, all the L ones in fact, I still ride.

I haven't been DHing for a while, cos of bike maintenance issues mostly, but I reckon I should be ok.
My "racing" days are over though.

I need them all replaced with fancy ceramic and titanium bits, which I cant afford at the moment, hence the bike maintenance issues!!
And the mortgage.

[buckoW]

I have a totally thrashed disc between L5 & S1, degenerated disc between L2 & L3 and recently some neck issues. The best thing for me is to stretch my hamstrings and hips in the shower with very hot water every morning. If I start my day with tight leg muscles then my pelvis is not straight and the aggravated discs take all the load. If I make sure I keep stretching and keep mobility then I can DH and snowboard as hard as I want. The doctors told me over ten years ago that I have to stop riding but I found a couple tricks that let me continue but I have to do them everyday.

I also wear a weight lifting back brace like this when riding or trailbuilding.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004AUS28S/...S&linkCode=asn

[maddogdh]

I have C spine 4,5,6,7 hurniated,bulging and degenerative for almost 10 years now, matter of fact my neck is tingling right now as i get ready to go to my constuction job ive done all my adult life. I have good days & bad days with the amount of pain & swelling. I landed on my head a bunch doing various things ,even rolled a truck doing 60mph less then a year ago & that totally aggravated my issue....matter of fact it prevented me from DH last season, got pretty concussed from that. riding doesnt aggravate my neck but i try to stay away from lifting heavy objects even though thats hard to stay away from at times being a real man and all. lmao!!

[chillindrdude]

stay hydrated
strengthen core
stay off bike during acute flares
NSAIDs (celebrex works wonders for me, but of course consult your doctor)
Epidural steroid shots

surgery should be last resort, or when there is clear spinal cord impingement. natural course of disc herniations is that they get better on their own.

[djjohnr]

Thanks for the stories guys, they keep me positive. Degenerative back issues run in my family, my mom had her spine fused by my age (35) and had rheumatoid arthritis in her back (they found arthritis in my lower spine also, as well as a degenerative cyst). My main concern is to make sure my quality of life is good for the rest of my life. I'd hate to not be able to chase my daughter around in 10 years because my back is jacked from pushing it.

[stoney]

I actually had surgery a few years ago to repair a bulging L4/5 disc. I have had a bunch of threads about how to prevent injury and how to strengthen your lower back. Just search for 'back' and my name.

As for dr's, the spine center at USF is one of the best in the world. If you need to see a doc, go there.