Good news - there isn't always disc degeneration years later!

[SIsForSarah]

I posted for the first time several months ago because I was worried that I was another victim of having the Harrington rod in for many years. I have been fused from T5 to L2 for over 18 years now and have been having a problem with a herniated L5/S1 disc. I finally had an appointment with a back specialist this week and was suprised to find that the scoliosis was pretty much a non-issue for him. He gave me the feedback he gives anyone who walks through his door with a herniated disc that is improving on its own: wait and if there are still problems, look into a disectomy.

I asked him about the condition of my other discs below my fusion (L2/L3, L3/L4 and L4/L5) and he told me they are in the same condition as they would be for anyone else my age. This thrilled and surprised me - I assumed having been fused for so many years, I would have disc degeneration. He told me I can start playing soccer again as soon as I am in good shape again (I'm pretty close right now) and as long as I warm up. This is for the herniated disc, because he didn't feel the fusion should stop me from doing this. He did recommend that I generally stick to low impact exercises (walking, swimming, biking, etc.) and that I take up Pilates (I've sort of been doing a modified Pilates program with my physiotherapist).

All this to say that disc degeneration doesn't always occur below a fusion. And I haven't exactly been easy on my back - up until about a year ago, I played a variety of high impact sports like field hockey, road hockey, Ultimate and soccer. With the herniated disc now, I will start taking it easier. Just wanted to share my good news though.

[shelley]

I have my Harrington rods for 42 years and am fused from T-3 to L-3. I am not having any problems with the discs below the fusion either.

Shelley

[always smilin']

How cool! I'm so glad to hear that there are success stories out there - I truly hope you remain successful with your back health!

Always Smilin'

[trishthedish]

Awesome...very good news! I am very protective of my lower back and hope to be one of these success stories too. Congrats to you two!

[Qikdraw]

Very good news!

Sadly I am in the other camp. One word of advice, stay out of jobs that make you stand for long periods of time and stay out of construction. That was my bad.

Road hockey! Oh man do I miss those days! CAR!!!!

Brad

[SIsForSarah]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!

Very good news!

Sadly I am in the other camp. One word of advice, stay out of jobs that make you stand for long periods of time and stay out of construction. That was my bad.

Road hockey! Oh man do I miss those days! CAR!!!!

Brad

Brad:

I always heard it was stay out of jobs that make you sit for long periods of time - you've heard it's standing that's bad? Because that's all I do all day - I'm an elementary teacher. I'm lucky if I get 15 minutes to sit and eat my lunch! I guess doing anything for really long periods of time is bad, but I always thought sitting put more pressure on your discs. Because of that I no longer even sit at my computer - as I type this I am standing and the computer is propped up on a box on my desk. I better do my research.

Yes, I will miss road hockey too, but all that twisting just can't be good for a herniated disc. "CAR!!!" -

[Qikdraw]

Brad:

I always heard it was stay out of jobs that make you sit for long periods of time - you've heard it's standing that's bad? Because that's all I do all day - I'm an elementary teacher. I'm lucky if I get 15 minutes to sit and eat my lunch! I guess doing anything for really long periods of time is bad, but I always thought sitting put more pressure on your discs. Because of that I no longer even sit at my computer - as I type this I am standing and the computer is propped up on a box on my desk. I better do my research.

Well as a teacher I imagine you get to walk around a fair bit. I used to work in kichens for 8 years (which is why my wife married me, I can cook), which meant a lot of standing in one spot for hours on end. If you don't have the proper shoes, and apparently clogs are the best, it can get pretty bad. Then the last 3 years I worked construction for a cabinet company and my back didn't like that much either.

Yes, I will miss road hockey too, but all that twisting just can't be good for a herniated disc. "CAR!!!" -

I keep looking at the new street hockey equipment and thinking that would be so fun to play with my neighbours. A few years ago at a family reunion I played with my nephews and I accidently shot a tennis ball a little too hard and hit a nephew in the shoulder, he shrugged it off and kept playing. Later on he showed me this big round bruise. I felt so bad, but he was just laughing it off. Yup, he has those good hockey genes in him. lol

Do you follow hockey at all? Or just watch playoffs like I do?

Brad

[txmarinemom]

... I always heard it was stay out of jobs that make you sit for long periods of time - you've heard it's standing that's bad? ...

Sarah,

I'm a programmer and I can't sit at a desk for more than 30 minutes now. Consequently, I'm changing careers ...

Pam

[augemac]

One word of advice, stay out of jobs that make you stand for long periods of time Brad

Well laying down to long without movement is not good, sitting to long is also not good, standing without movement is also not so good, walking to much without rest is not so good....

Now this maybe just me, but I do best when I walk around with little bit with sitting now and again. Up to long or down to long makes my lower back ache.

Just thought I would say a few words on my own situation.

[SIsForSarah]

Brad: Standing still in one place for too long being a problem totally makes sense. I have to take breaks and walk around when I'm washing a lot of dishes in the sink (I still prefer the sink to bending down to the dishwasher)

I'm just a hockey playoff watcher and even then, just when the Ottawa Senators are in the playoffs (which means I watched very little hockey until the past few years). Who's your team?

Pam: That's a shame that you have to change careers! Have you considered getting a work station that can be adjusted regularly so you can sit sometimes and then stand and work sometimes? I'm on another back pain forum and a couple of the members of that forum have stations like that (actually paid for by their employers).

[Singer]

Changing careers?

Hey Pam,

I can sit for a couple of hours now (with the right pillow) but it did take almost a year to get to that point. Are you sure you're giving yourself enough time to build up sitting tolerance?

[txmarinemom]

Hey Pam,

I can sit for a couple of hours now (with the right pillow) but it did take almost a year to get to that point. Are you sure you're giving yourself enough time to build up sitting tolerance?

Yeah, Chris ...

I have no problem with the physical (notice I'm back on the ballfield) ... it's the sedentary. With my job, I feel the fatigue in my thoracic area from hunching over the keyboard ... thinking ... and poor posture.

I'm switching to massage therapy (my main focus will be pain mgmt for pre and post-op scoli patients). I'll still do contract programming from home ... just not at a desk. I do my best thinking/programming curled up - or reclining, and gnawing on a pencil anyway ;-).

Pam

[Qikdraw]

Brad: Standing still in one place for too long being a problem totally makes sense. I have to take breaks and walk around when I'm washing a lot of dishes in the sink (I still prefer the sink to bending down to the dishwasher)

Well my wife & I have a deal, I cook, and she cleans, so no bending down to the dishwasher for me.

I'm just a hockey playoff watcher and even then, just when the Ottawa Senators are in the playoffs (which means I watched very little hockey until the past few years). Who's your team?

Winnipeg Jets. *sigh*

Which means its now the Pheonix Coyotes. And I've never seen my team beyond the second round. I did read an article talking about 3 NHL teams that may move, NY Islanders, another team and the Pheonix Coyotes which the article said should move back to Wpg. Which I would be happy with.

I don't know how much of a video game player you are but Eastside Hockey Manager is a greeat game. You get to manage your hockey team, trade players, etc... Its one I have spent a large amount of time on. In that I took the Coyotes to the cup a few times. (A dream I know) lol

Brad

[SIsForSarah]

I'm not much of a video game player, but that game does sound interesting. I have a friend who would probably see his Maple Leafs actually win something for once if he played that game so I'll tell him about it.

[Qikdraw]

I'm not much of a video game player, but that game does sound interesting. I have a friend who would probably see his Maple Leafs actually win something for once if he played that game so I'll tell him about it.

There is a demo and you get to play for 6 game months, just enough for you to get to the playoffs, then you have to pay. lol

http://www.ehmtheblueline.com/forums/

Thats a fan site, and probably the best one to also give your friend. There is a large learning curve for it, but the more you know about hockey the easier it is. They are also good for answering any questions too.

I have a friend in T who I got into the game as well. He took the Leafs to the cup as well.