Hello everyone,
So my MRI came back and my L5 has a small bulge to the right, pushing on my nerve. I am 46, pretty fit, but with a history of relatively minor back issues.
the doctor is convinced that taking some time off riding is the cure. (although he is referring to a neurosurgeon in July).
I am fit, do core, do physio, acupuncture, ride English but since back issues started just ride for 25 or so minutes, no sitting trot, two point canter.
Just looking to see if anyone is in the same boat, and if time off riding did help? Thanks.
Mary
I had a huge herniation between my L2 and L3 about 4 years ago. I am a fitness freak, and must’ve begun the injury in the gym. Thinking nothing of it, I continued doing all my workouts and riding. What finally took me to my knees was a simple sneeze. It must’ve completed the herniation. The pain was awful. I could not stand up, only crawl. I had an MRI that showed the bulge was the size of a 50 cent piece. Once the disc blew, the back pain subsided. What didn’t subside was the nerve pain from the disc pressing on the femoral nerve. I could not sleep, and had to take Lorcet +. The first ortho I saw hadn’t seen many L2 injuries and felt he may have to fuse my spine. H**l no to that. I went and saw a spine and back specialist who said nonsense. He put me Neurotin for the nerve pain which helped immensely. He felt that being only a month into the injury had no given it time to heal. I did start PT and could do walking and elliptical machines. I couldn’t ride for 3 months or run. I didn’t have to stay on the Neurotin very long because the nerve healed. BUT, I have permanent nerve damage in my left leg. I have no feeling from my hip down to my knee. This has not stopped me from doing anything. I can feel pressure but no sensation. I am used to it. Your core strength is very important. I’ve not had any more problems. I have had SI join issues which have kept me out of the saddle for about 2 weeks when I aggravate it. The main thing with a bulge is to be very careful as you heal, even when you have no pain, do not think you can start up where you left off, you will be in worse shape. I do modifications on some strength moves, and use a particular shoe to run in that keeps the jarring to a minimum. I am 51 now, and work out just as hard or harder. Riding is no issue either. When I got back into riding, I walked alot for about a month and built on that. I also dive, and am very careful lifting my tank and gear. With an injury like this, you really get to know your body and it’s limitations. Good Luck!
