Skiing with a herniated disc?

Hi all,

I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.

Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.

Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:58:14 +0000,
wrote:


Hi all,

I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.

Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.

Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.


Not sure what "sequented" is. But I've been skiing with a herniated
disc (L5) plus a badly bulging L4 for years; I was skiing within about
two months of the major blowout (which sent me to the hospital for a
couple of days). I used to have regular chiropractic adjustments, but
since I started some light but regular weight-training, I haven't even
needed that.

HOWEVER, I never had any neurological symptoms like you report, just
the occasional muscle-lockup that leaves me walking like a pretzel and
skiing a little lopsided. You're right to be extremely wary of the
possibility that you could suffer permanent damage. "Adaptive" skiing
is way cool, but regular 2-legged skiing is still preferable. So yes,
I've skiied with a recent back injury, but I'd advise you to get a few
professional opinions (including a chiropractor if you can get a
referral to a reputable one) before you throw the dice.

bw

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:28:02 GMT, bdubya
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:58:14 +0000,
wrote:
I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.
Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.
Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.

Not sure what "sequented" is. But I've been skiing with a herniated
disc (L5) plus a badly bulging L4 for years; I was skiing within about
two months of the major blowout (which sent me to the hospital for a
couple of days). I used to have regular chiropractic adjustments, but
since I started some light but regular weight-training, I haven't even
needed that.

The Sequented means a bit has broken off and fallen down the back.


HOWEVER, I never had any neurological symptoms like you report, just
the occasional muscle-lockup that leaves me walking like a pretzel and
skiing a little lopsided. You're right to be extremely wary of the
possibility that you could suffer permanent damage. "Adaptive" skiing
is way cool, but regular 2-legged skiing is still preferable. So yes,
I've skiied with a recent back injury, but I'd advise you to get a few
professional opinions (including a chiropractor if you can get a
referral to a reputable one) before you throw the dice.

I know... I'm a bit in denial right now... given that the MRI scan
says I will most likely need surgery to have it removed.

:-( that will mean the whole season could be a writeoff!!

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 22:05:41 +0000,
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:28:02 GMT, bdubya
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:58:14 +0000,
wrote:
I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.
Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.
Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.

Not sure what "sequented" is. But I've been skiing with a herniated
disc (L5) plus a badly bulging L4 for years; I was skiing within about
two months of the major blowout (which sent me to the hospital for a
couple of days). I used to have regular chiropractic adjustments, but
since I started some light but regular weight-training, I haven't even
needed that.

The Sequented means a bit has broken off and fallen down the back.


yikes.


HOWEVER, I never had any neurological symptoms like you report, just
the occasional muscle-lockup that leaves me walking like a pretzel and
skiing a little lopsided. You're right to be extremely wary of the
possibility that you could suffer permanent damage. "Adaptive" skiing
is way cool, but regular 2-legged skiing is still preferable. So yes,
I've skiied with a recent back injury, but I'd advise you to get a few
professional opinions (including a chiropractor if you can get a
referral to a reputable one) before you throw the dice.

I know... I'm a bit in denial right now... given that the MRI scan
says I will most likely need surgery to have it removed.

:-( that will mean the whole season could be a writeoff!!

Bummer. But it's only one season, and that's only IF the doctor(s)
tell you not to take the chance. Have you asked? You might get an
"ok" to defer the surgery until later in the season, or after the
season, and get some skiing in beforehand....maybe.

bw

wrote:
Hi all,

I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.

Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.

Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.

Dicey. Finding a good physio (a sports one) is the priority, but I don't
think you can be fixed in that short space of time. I've got 2 splurted
discs, in L5 and L4, and they are fine now, but it took some very hard yards
with the physio to get that.

--
ant
http://www.dcita.gov.au/tel/do_not_call
to make your comment on proposals to limit telemarketing

wrote in message
...

Hi all,

I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.

Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.

Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.


Talk to your doctor.

With that said, I've been skiing with a ruptured disc for 2 years. This
year I will stick to the intermediate runs because of a worsening condition
since July. Skiing has not been the source of increased damage to my back;
but I've skied carefully.

wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:28:02 GMT, bdubya
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:58:14 +0000,
wrote:
I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.
Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.
Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.

Not sure what "sequented" is. But I've been skiing with a herniated
disc (L5) plus a badly bulging L4 for years; I was skiing within about
two months of the major blowout (which sent me to the hospital for a
couple of days). I used to have regular chiropractic adjustments, but
since I started some light but regular weight-training, I haven't even
needed that.

The Sequented means a bit has broken off and fallen down the back.


HOWEVER, I never had any neurological symptoms like you report, just
the occasional muscle-lockup that leaves me walking like a pretzel and
skiing a little lopsided. You're right to be extremely wary of the
possibility that you could suffer permanent damage. "Adaptive" skiing
is way cool, but regular 2-legged skiing is still preferable. So yes,
I've skiied with a recent back injury, but I'd advise you to get a few
professional opinions (including a chiropractor if you can get a
referral to a reputable one) before you throw the dice.

I know... I'm a bit in denial right now... given that the MRI scan
says I will most likely need surgery to have it removed.

:-( that will mean the whole season could be a writeoff!!




You need your surgeon's opinion about the possibility of doing further
damage because of skiing or falling. Then you need to decide whether to ski
until you can't, then have the surgery so that you recover during the spring
months.

"bdubya" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 22:05:41 +0000,
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 21:28:02 GMT, bdubya
wrote:

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 20:58:14 +0000,
wrote:
I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.
Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.
Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.

Not sure what "sequented" is. But I've been skiing with a herniated
disc (L5) plus a badly bulging L4 for years; I was skiing within about
two months of the major blowout (which sent me to the hospital for a
couple of days). I used to have regular chiropractic adjustments, but
since I started some light but regular weight-training, I haven't even
needed that.

The Sequented means a bit has broken off and fallen down the back.


yikes.


HOWEVER, I never had any neurological symptoms like you report, just
the occasional muscle-lockup that leaves me walking like a pretzel and
skiing a little lopsided. You're right to be extremely wary of the
possibility that you could suffer permanent damage. "Adaptive" skiing
is way cool, but regular 2-legged skiing is still preferable. So yes,
I've skiied with a recent back injury, but I'd advise you to get a few
professional opinions (including a chiropractor if you can get a
referral to a reputable one) before you throw the dice.

I know... I'm a bit in denial right now... given that the MRI scan
says I will most likely need surgery to have it removed.

:-( that will mean the whole season could be a writeoff!!

Bummer. But it's only one season, and that's only IF the doctor(s)
tell you not to take the chance. Have you asked? You might get an
"ok" to defer the surgery until later in the season, or after the
season, and get some skiing in beforehand....maybe.

bw


I have 3 bad disc's ruptures and stenosis, and I've been cleared to ski and
to let my pain tolerance guide me. However, I don't a piece floating about
(sequented) as the OP describes.

Should we start a ng for skiing with low back pain?

On Fri, 02 Dec 2005 21:24:11 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:


wrote in message
.. .

Hi all,

I've been diagnosed last week with a herniated and sequented disc in
my lower back... (S1/L5).... Symptoms are numb foot and weakness in
calf muscle.

Trouble is... I've got 16days in Alpe d'Huez booked from 22nd Dec.

Has anyone skied with a recently injured back like that? Only thing
I'm nervous about is a fall which may cause permanent damage.


Talk to your doctor.

With that said, I've been skiing with a ruptured disc for 2 years. This
year I will stick to the intermediate runs because of a worsening condition
since July. Skiing has not been the source of increased damage to my back;
but I've skied carefully.

Is the worsening condition your back or something else?

I lifted a computer printer awkwardly several years ago and developed
an upper back rib-head subluxation - essentially a separation of a rib
from the cartilage. I saw an on mountain doctor who gave me a
cortisone shot and a bear hug (I had only just met the man!). It
wasn't much better a couple days later and he recommended a chiro guy
who weighed twice as much as me. Two visits and some stretching trips
and I'm OK. It was, however, too painful to ski.