Human Back Problem

[BigRed]

I went to see the Consultant on Wednesday, he says the only thing that will sort out my problems is to fuse two vertebrae together. The problem is very low down - L5.

He says I could ride gently after 4 weeks. Has anyone actually got experience of coming back to riding after this op, and coming back to competing in Dressage afterwards ?

 

[Bosworth]

Be very very wary of having a fusion, I was offered one on the NHS but went privately to see a neuro surgeon and he said that under no circumstances would he recommend a fusion as they rarely solve a problem and just move the issue above or below the fusion. I had a microdisectomy done privately and it worked brilliantly. I know of two people who had a fusion round about the same area as you and while one appears fine the other really is not good. Can you get a second opinion?

 

[sidesaddlegirl]

I have problems with my L5/S1 vertebra (prolasped discs along with a crooked back) which caused me EXCRUCIATING pain (couldn't move without extreme pain). I saw a pysiotherapist on the NHS who gave me modified Pilates exercises for my back to strengthen the core muscles so that I didn't rely soley on my back to support me.

I was also told to loose some weight (I wasn't obese or anything just a couple of stone overweight) so that there was less stress on the weak part of my body.

When I was strong enough (i.e. not so much pain as before), I started normal Pilates (although I couldn't do some of the exercises due to my back) and that helped alot.

It is important when you suffer with these disc things NOT to stretch your back too much (like bending forward to touch your toes, etc) as it harms the discs. This is what I was told. Alot of people think it's good for your back but it's not.

Also, I wore a proper boned Victorian corset for about a year EVERYDAY for about a year when at the stables to prevent me from bending funny and take the strain off my back when carrying buckets, mucking out. I even wore it to ride in too. As soon as I put on the corset, it took the pain away. My pysiotherapist said that was because it was working like pilates does on the inside of the body but on the outside of your body. Pilates built the "inside corset" of my body while the Victorian corset helped the outside of it.

I would look into these things before doing drastic surgery.

My therapist said it would take about 6 months before I rode again but it actually took my a little longer (about a year) and now I don't jump as I do not want to fall off and wack my discs out! I only do dressage and flat side saddle now.