herniated Disk after deadlift

[jheat308]

Well I have been lifting for a good amount of time, working up to what I would say was some heavy weight. 3 months ago this last fri on my last set and rep I felt a pop in my back and had some real pain. Ill save the long story and just say after a month went by I could still hardly move. I dont have insurance so I went with a sports chiropractor to no help. So 2 weeks ago paid 400 cash and got an MRI. L3 L4 L5 S1 where all 5mm bulge. At this point the Sciatica is the real problem. Anyone had this issue?
Thanks for the ear and any response.

 

[Mofo]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I had to have back surgery due to L4 L5 bulging 10mm. I was told 7mm and below can be treated with steroids and physical theraphy. I used a orothpedic surgeon... If you had to do it again I would have used a nuero surgeon. If I had not been so stuborn and went to the dr sooner I probably cou;ld of had it treated. But I waited till I was losind strength in my legs and could not climb a ladder.

I feel for your pain, I know it hurts bad. I would try the steroids and theraphy since you seem to of caught it early.

 

[benchmstr]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mofo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had to have back surgery due to L4 L5 bulging 10mm. I was told 7mm and below can be treated with steroids and physical theraphy. I used a orothpedic surgeon... If you had to do it again I would have used a nuero surgeon. If I had not been so stuborn and went to the dr sooner I probably cou;ld of had it treated. But I waited till I was losind strength in my legs and could not climb a ladder.

I feel for your pain, I know it hurts bad. I would try the steroids and theraphy since you seem to of caught it early. </div></div>
i had my spine fused about 8 years ago...i honestly forget what disk but i want to say L4-L5(lower)....and it was done by the same neuro surgeon who did my dads......4 months after the surgery i was actually stronger than i was before the surgery and pain free....still no problems to this day......if the guy can do brain surgery, he can do back surgery lol

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Thanks guys for the info and happy to know that all went well for yall. Anyone know anything about spin decompression? Anyone had it done? Will look into talking with neuro surgeon as I know a good one ( my mom had DBS deep brain stimulation )I will post back with updates for others.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Been there done that as well as my wife - mine 12 years ago and my wife was this past Feb 11. We have matching scars on our backs from the Microdiscectomy on the L5/S1. She had two steroid shots for the back that didn't do anything. So, off she went to the Neurosurgeon. The surgery is in and out in a day if you can get it scheduled for early morning but it is not cheap. Her's was 22k as I just saw the bill this week and that was with in and out in a day. A 5mm is not too bad so maybe you can try the back shots and see what happens. AS you stated Sciatica is the pain that keeps on giving and nothing will solve that problem until the nerve is not pinching in the nerve canal. The further you feel it down the leg means the more pinched the nerve is. I feel for you as it is not fun to have back issues.

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

JSTARSZ another member on the hide was telling me about this and would love to give it a shot but I just dont have the cheese for that at the min but will say if the pain keeps on and the other treatments dont take I will do what ever it takes to get this pain out of my body.

 

[JSTARSZ]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jheat308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">JSTARSZ another member on the hide was telling me about this and would love to give it a shot but I just dont have the cheese for that at the min but will say if the pain keeps on and the other treatments dont take I will do what ever it takes to get this pain out of my body. </div></div> If you need any more info please PM and we can discuss off line. I know two people that had the surgery this year and a third who went the shot route. The third was my Mother-in-law and she seems to be getting better slowly and I think she was more in your category as her bulge was not bad by medical standards but it was debilitating living with the sciatica issues.

 

[skinney_7]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: jheat308</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well I have been lifting for a good amount of time, working up to what I would say was some heavy weight. 3 months ago this last fri on my last set and rep I felt a pop in my back and had some real pain. Ill save the long story and just say after a month went by I could still hardly move. I dont have insurance so I went with a sports chiropractor to no help. So 2 weeks ago paid 400 cash and got an MRI. L3 L4 L5 S1 where all 5mm bulge. At this point the Sciatica is the real problem. Anyone had this issue?
Thanks for the ear and any response. </div></div>
dude let it heal... it takes lots of time/patience but the disc will heal... i had one herniated disc, one ruptured disc and broken cartilage in between the vertebrate, played through 3 college sports like this... worst pain i've ever had, wouldn't wish it on anyone... i would wake up @ 2am to take a piss, literally have to roll out of bed do a push up to get up, and wizz like a chick cause i couldn't stand and push it out without buckling to the knees, sneezing, bending over, everything for 3yrs was no good, my whole left foot was limp during sprints, the doc said it was a combo of the bulging & ruptured disc's fluid along the sciatic, but i dealt with it, and it sucked, and its hard to believe and stupid to many but i lifted heavy throughout the whole injury, the cortisone worked wonders on me, give it a shot IMHO... don't ask the doc to see the needle cause he aint gonna show you till after its over. after the injury, i was "bigger, stronger and faster" than i ever was, my squat was over 700, NOW my squat is around 6 and my back is bigger, better, and stronger than it ever would have been being cut on... the doc said i would "never" squat again, but docs aint always right.

 

[acloco]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I have the SAME disc issue as you. Going on 24 years now.

Ice and then heat....keep apply. The tissue is, obviously inflamed, and you need to get the swelling down so the nerve endings will calm down.

Is either leg numb? Light burning pain? Excruciating/shooting pain?

Quit doing dead lifts...forever. (everybody should, for that matter)

You now will have to concentrate 40-50% on your stomach muscles.

 

[Geronimo]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Imo back off deadlifting and focus on everything else, it can be treated with forms of traction and improving your form, look for a gym or more properly a powerlifting gym in your area, call and ask if the have a reverse hyper extension machine. Light weight for sets of 20 reps will greatly help. It will traction and strengthen your back, it was invented by a good friend of mine Louie Simmons after he broke his back. What others said with ice and ibuprofen will add to the aid. I've pulled over 800 and trained with people that have done 900, it can be fixed.

 

[Captain Moroni]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I have had back problems for years. Some are self inflicted others I was born with. What has helped me the most and has also been the cheapest is acupuncture. make sure that that its done by a specialist not some doc who moonlights at it, it does make a difference.

In the past when someone told me to try acupuncture I would blow them off and tell them they were nuts. After everything else didn't work my doc said I might give it a try. They made a believer out of me in under a week.

Before going under the knife I would at least talk to an acupuncturist.

If you would like to talk to my acupuncturist and see if he thinks acupuncture could help and maybe point you in the right direction PM me and I will get you his number. Or even if you would like to hear the details of my situation PM me.

 

[skinney_7]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

another bit of advice, is inversion... i have inversion boots i use on my squat rack to hang and do inverted abs... i do them every morning after my lift... not sure if it really helps but it feels good as hell.

 

[UKDslayer]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: benchmstr</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Mofo</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I had to have back surgery due to L4 L5 bulging 10mm. I was told 7mm and below can be treated with steroids and physical theraphy. I used a orothpedic surgeon... If you had to do it again I would have used a nuero surgeon. If I had not been so stuborn and went to the dr sooner I probably cou;ld of had it treated. But I waited till I was losind strength in my legs and could not climb a ladder.

I feel for your pain, I know it hurts bad. I would try the steroids and theraphy since you seem to of caught it early. </div></div>
i had my spine fused about 8 years ago...i honestly forget what disk but i want to say L4-L5(lower)....and it was done by the same neuro surgeon who did my dads......4 months after the surgery i was actually stronger than i was before the surgery and pain free....still no problems to this day......if the guy can do brain surgery, he can do back surgery lol</div></div>

Please, this is the exception and not the rule. Always do conservative management, be it physical therapy, accupuncture, chiropractor, inversion table/decompression, and injections before have surgery. Fusion is always, always your last option. Fusions are not normal anatomy and put stress on your spine both above and below the fusion - your risk of needing the next level done is 20% the first year after surgery plus 3% each year thereafter. I suffered through 4 years of managing a herniated disc in my neck - PT, ultrasound, injections etc. but no surgery; had a fusion on lumbar area after all conservative treatment failed, and then a second surgery and life isn't rosey..

 

[bondoscustomz1]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

The last six in my lower back. I haven't had surgery as of yet and dread it. I have 2 discs that are 80% gone, so that is bone to bone. I have another 2 that are around 60% gone and the last 2 are bulging and perforated. I think it's L1 thru T2? I wear a Nike weightlifting belt daily and it seems to keep pressure where I need it. As for the sciatic nerve, it depends on the day.... left leg today, right tomorrow. who knows what tomorrow brings. I have been on pain management since 2001 for it and probably once or twice a year my back put's me in the floor for a few weeks at a time. Every time I get there I tell the doc its time for surgery but by the time we schedule and get ready, my back gets bearable and I call off the surgery. I have heard and seen too many horror stories around here. I have had the epidurals several times but not again! I had the last one leak and that was far worse pain than my back being out. Acloco is correct on the heat then Ice and vice versa. Another tip.... get out of your comfortable bed and flat on the floor. For me the more I can roll around in a bed or the couch, the worse my back gets. Good luck and I hope it gets better. People without back problems don't understand what we go thru.

 

[Mudcat-NC]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Just got my steriod injection on C5-6 today and wow, what a relief. My 3rd one in over 2 years. Warning though, after the shot, you will feel so good yo willgo back to doing stuff that got you f'd up in the first place....be smart, and dont do that!

Once herniated, you will likely always have or be at risk for having problems. One MUST learn to live with it and minimize risk of further herniation, or like what happened to me, a rupture. If that happens, welcome to the wonderful world of wicked pain, loss of use of extremities and emergency surgery! Not good.

John

 

[shooter65]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Yep. I have 3 disc's gone now. Feel great.

 

[WPG]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I have had "dry needle" therapy for my back.

http://functionaltraining.ie/services/dry-needle-therapy/

I also use a TENS unit with good results.

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Thanks everyone for the responses and PMs. Was looking into the Hyper ext. and that seems to have fixed many peoples backs and keep many others from having problems after deadlifts ( I will not be doing them anymore so it dont matter to me). Shooter65 those are some great pics and happy to know that it worked for you, many people that iv talked with and read about did not go so well. I hope this thread helps others too.

 

[KM375]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

A lot of new technology out there for Disc issues, I have a C5-C6 cervical fusion. I would do like many have said and try everything before you get to the surgery level. Look at the Artificial Discs, they have them now for Cervical and Lumbar they help maintain a little of your range of motion.
Pro-disc Artificial Disc Replacement

 

[bondoscustomz1]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I had to open my big mouth.... now my back is out. I was trying to get my riding lawnmower running this weekend an turned the wrong way.....pop. Down again. It might be surgery time.

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Damn Bondo that sucks.

 

[Geronimo]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Throwing some more info out, besides strengthening your lower back you also have to work you stomach and obliques to have a strong torso, it's a must to have a strong back.

 

[EventHorizon]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

15 or so years of competitive rugby with training 4 times a week saw me without a serious back injury. Partly luck but also we had a great conditioning coach.

For those who have not had back injuries, the single best exercise for prevention is doing bridges. Start slow, with keeping your shoulders on the ground and progress to full, high, bridges holding them for one minute. This builds such a dense, protective layer of muscle.

I would guess that bridges would also be a good recuperative excercise. I feel for you guys, we lost a couple good props due to herniated discs and the volume of beer it took to put a smile on their mugs was testament to the pain they were in!

Good luck with your recovery.

 

[Wes_Mantooth]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I put up with back/neck pain for several years. I figured it was part of my job. I went to the chiro last Aug. and had worse pain after I left than when I went in. I had pain from my spine to my elbow in my left arm.

Once it got to where I couldn't sleep or lift/push anything away from my body with my left hand I went to the doc. This was four months later. I wish I had gone right away. I had a herniated disc between C6-7.

A hydrocortizone injection and a couple of months of physical therapy had me about 90% better. I am still slowly recovering. A word of warning, if it hurts don't do it. The traction the therapist had me in was killing me. I'd get out of the traction machine and have to lay on my back with my arm across my chest for a few minutes before I could even role over to get up. I stopped using the traction machine and got better fast.

 

[bullet65]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

jheat,i really feel your pain and unless someone has had this they do not understand.i was a 0311 usmc then in construction and 10 years on a pepsi truck.my back would go out once in a blue moon as they say but then in 09 at the age of 44 i reach over to lift the toilet seat and ruptured a disk.l4-5 i think.
had to have surgery(lamanectomy)i changed my profesion from truck driver to where i was walking alot and lost 40 pounds in 2 years.i thought i was doing good till this april when i herniated the one above and below the last one.tried other methods that the same surgeon suggested.no luck.mine on most days would burn in both legs from my ass to my ankles so back to my second surgery.it was relief the same day.only off work 2 weeks.my doc is a neurosurgen in nashville and would recomend to anyone.

 

[3fingervic]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Well, I've been I a battle for 1.5 years with my disc issue. I'm generally the biggest, strongest guy in the room. I lifted, did abs and cardio. I never neglected any muscle group. Yes I deadlifted.

At work, a juvenile jail, I was always called in to "manage" the uncooperative inmates. In Feb. of 2010, while managing an inmate, I bulged a disc. Blah Blah Blah. Hurt like hell, felt like a pussy, can't sleep, hurts to f!@#. Rehab made it worse, shots didn't help and decided to get surgery. I actually had two laminectomies. I'm about 8 weeks out of my last one, and at a stretching therapist. Then I'll move to an occupational therapist.

I don't know if any of you were told this, but apparently people that are built like me are genetically predisposed to back issues. Narrow nerve canals or some shit. I hope I can get back to work by May of 2012, or I'll have to retire at 36. I'll have to get a motorized shopping cart and learn how to say "Welcome to Walmart". Good luck brother.

 

[skinney_7]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3fingervic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I don't know if any of you were told this, but apparently people that are built like me are genetically predisposed to back issues. Narrow nerve canals or some shit. I hope I can get back to work by May of 2012, or I'll have to retire at 36. I'll have to get a motorized shopping cart and learn how to say "Welcome to Walmart". Good luck brother. </div></div>
F-that... every day i would walk to the football field thinking how bad it hurt, and while walking i would always see a guy in a wheel chair just sitting there watching us practice... i said FUCK it... i'm glad i could feel the pain, instead of bein in that guys shoes... i felt like a pussy complaining about my numb left leg and lower back pain, and seein guys like that who will never walk.

 

[3fingervic]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skinney</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3fingervic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I don't know if any of you were told this, but apparently people that are built like me are genetically predisposed to back issues. Narrow nerve canals or some shit. I hope I can get back to work by May of 2012, or I'll have to retire at 36. I'll have to get a motorized shopping cart and learn how to say "Welcome to Walmart". Good luck brother. </div></div>
F-that... every day i would walk to the football field thinking how bad it hurt, and while walking i would always see a guy in a wheel chair just sitting there watching us practice... i said FUCK it... i'm glad i could feel the pain, instead of bein in that guys shoes... i felt like a pussy complaining about my numb left leg and lower back pain, and seein guys like that who will never walk. </div></div>

I was being sarcastic about the motorized shopping cart. I can't go back to work unless I'm cleared by a Dr.. If that doesn't happen before May, I'll have to find a new job. I'm 99.9% sure that will happen even if I have to lie to the Dr. and drag my ass in there.

 

[dakor]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I had an 8mm disc bulge in my L4 L5 and suffered for 2 years before having surgery. I tried therapy and nothing worked it was a bad bulge and started to compress my spinal cord. I did some research and talked to a few people and decided to go see Dr Bruce Bartie at st croix orthopedics in Still water MN. I had a micro discectomy performed at 9am on my surgery day and was up and walking back to my hotel room by 2pm the same day. This DR does work on pro athletes and has done surgeries over in Europe and is very good and worth checking out. I woke up with instant pain relief and I was off Percocet within 3 days post-surgery. I was able to go deer hunting 25 days after surgery and I went elk hunting which was a by foot 7 weeks after my surgery. My incision is about 1 1/2 inches long and I am back now working out and playing hockey and doing the things I really enjoy. Dr Bartie also performs disc replacement surgeries and all kinds of other options than the normal back surgeries options. If I ever needed surgery again I would go back for sure. I also know a person who had a fusion done by him and some other stuff and was able to run in her marathon 6 months after surgery without issue. Here is the link to their website.
St Croix Orthopedics

 

[skinney_7]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3fingervic</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: skinney</div><div class="ubbcode-body"><div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: 3fingervic</div><div class="ubbcode-body">
I don't know if any of you were told this, but apparently people that are built like me are genetically predisposed to back issues. Narrow nerve canals or some shit. I hope I can get back to work by May of 2012, or I'll have to retire at 36. I'll have to get a motorized shopping cart and learn how to say "Welcome to Walmart". Good luck brother. </div></div>
F-that... every day i would walk to the football field thinking how bad it hurt, and while walking i would always see a guy in a wheel chair just sitting there watching us practice... i said FUCK it... i'm glad i could feel the pain, instead of bein in that guys shoes... i felt like a pussy complaining about my numb left leg and lower back pain, and seein guys like that who will never walk. </div></div>

I was being sarcastic about the motorized shopping cart. I can't go back to work unless I'm cleared by a Dr.. If that doesn't happen before May, I'll have to find a new job. I'm 99.9% sure that will happen even if I have to lie to the Dr. and drag my ass in there. </div></div>
i understand the sarcasm, but like i said earlier... the doc told me i would "never" squat, deadlift, hangclean again... the doc... was wrong.

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

OK I have some good news. After talking to many people and reading everyones trials on here I decided to go with Decompression therapy with a local Doc. This is where they put you on a table strap your lower and upper down and pull your spine apart. At first it seems like this would not be the best or to easy of a solution to fix the real pain that has set in. Well after 3 treatments and icing my back all day and heat at night Im feeling 50% better. The sciatic pain has all but gone and things are just getting bright again.

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

When I first went in with my MRIs the decompression DR. told me that my L5 S1 would be need surgery and the best thing to do is get shots and do light decompression till I had money for the surgery. I told him that I JUST wanted to try the decompression ( he said what every you want ) So Iv done 3 treatments and will do 25 to 30 more for best result. I had no idea that this would fix has much as it has. So for the record at the min Iv had no shots, no surgery, no PT ( other than the stretch I do on my own) and 4 month into this blown disk. I will get back to the forum with updates soon.

 

[jakew912]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I had a herniated disk at the L5/S1 and a bulging disk at L4/L5 about 3 years ago. Based on the MRI, my doc at the time wanted me to eat pain meds and have surgery. I was in a lot of pain and discomfort, but was not ready for surgery. I went to see a chiropractor against his recommendation and was very pleased.I went for about 6 weeks at 3 days a week for decompression and manipulation, and was actually back to work in 3 weeks after the injury.

 

[bcw1284]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I too have damaged my L5/S1 (bulged disc, 50% disc height loss) and a pinched nerve @ t3/t4. I went to a chiropractor right off the bat, not a hospital/doctor type guy. I'm glad I did, chiropractic manipulation has really helped me to manage it. I do not and never have taken rx pain meds, and rarely even use OTC ones anymore unless I spend too long being idle around the house and get sore.

At some point I may have it surgically repaired just to be done with the nagging sciatica, but overall i'm very happy with the difference it made in my quality of life. There are still several options on the table for me (injections, etc.) before the slice & dice, and you can bet i'll pursue them all before I let some dude cut me up. IF i did surgery in the future, i'd like to explore laser surgery. They say it is much less recovery time and such.

Between chiropractic and exercise, i'm able to manage it pretty well and lead a pretty normal life. I just try to watch out for certain things I know could re-injure it, especially when lifting heavy crap.

I just found a local acupuncture place (actual chiropractor doing it, not some holistic weirdo) so i'm going to give that a shot next and see if it can improve even more with this minimal addition to my routine. Ultrasound really seemed to help me out, so I may ask to resume that soon as well. I've done muscle stim and diathermy too, and they help but not as much.

 

[MJBmxz]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I hurt mine playing football, and I feel your guys pain. Odd thing is I usually re-injur it doing something simple. Swating at a fly, sneezing, or kicking a can. As for the having to piss like a woman, been there. Chiropractor and lots of time in a recliner flattened out helps me.

 

[bcw1284]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I know what you mean, I biffed it on the ice once and it took me out for about 2 weeks, worst part was I was 50 miles from home picking up a dog, so I had to drive home with that little knucklehead getting carsick on my seat and in excruciating pain.

Chiro got me squared away again, and the dog is still alive to tell the tale so i guess it's all ok, haha.

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

So with my 16th time now Im 80% better. I even started back in the gym today doing light stuff and quit anything that caused pain. Will post more when im 100%

 

[jheat308]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

Giving a Follow up on my posts. I have not been to anymore doc. and have stoped working out the last 2 months or so. I still have pain if I stand for more than 20 min or so and sciatica is on and off. Im going to go back for more traction therapy in the coming weeks but if that dont do it going for the shot. Its been a 1 1/2 from date of blowing my back out and pain is still ruling my day to day.

 

[Defcon424]

Re: herniated Disk after deadlift

I have had surgery twice for herniated discs and recently trashed my back again knockin down trees on a track loader. So it looks like i might be headed for my 3rd operation, i feel your pain. Sorry bout your misfortune, I know how it feels. My fiancee is due for her third spinal surgery in the last 13 months too. Nothing is really ever the same after this kinda injury. Wish you the best of luck.