I have been racing hard since 2004,and im 37 years old and a full time firefighter for 17 years.I had my surgery on November 11,2008.I tried everything to avoid surgery but after my last race which was on August of 2007,I could not take the pain anymore!I tried epidural shots physical therapy everthing.So I went to a neurosurgeon by the name of Eric Grahm,which he is a avid multisport athlete and also was the doctor for the ST LOUIS RAMS.I know my back had taken a beaten during working around the clock during Hurricane Katrina.But being what us firefighters were going through you just do it and peoples lives were at stake.But when they opened me up and he started the procedure he found that I had also had two cynoveal cyst that had formed on the nerves and everytime I worked out it would fill with fluid and constrict and it was the most awful pain ever.Cynovael cyst are pretty rare.Then he said that my disk were like two brake pads rubbing together.I go back to full duty with no restrictions March 2,2009 and I will be training for Ironman Augusta Georgia 70.3.My question is has anyone ever had the lumbar spinal fusion surgery like mine and came back from this to race again?My pain is totally gone So the month of march im going to just swim and bike with low impact till I get the body use to moving again.I already have my 20 week attack plan ready and I just was wanting to know if anyone has came back to racing full status,I just need that peace of mind you know!Hope everyone has a great race season and good luck!
FIREFIGHTER 829
BILOXI MISSISSIPPI
HURRICANE ALLEY
As a physician (Anesthesia/Pain) who treats people like you daily, I’m very interested to see if anyone out there has recovered well enough after lumbar fusion to race again. I’m certain that you can resume the cycling and swimming, but the running will be a harder sell. My seat of the pants advice is start slow and progress systematically on the running mileage. You should try to run “fresh” most/all of the time (i.e. do the long run on Saturday then long bike Sunday, not the other way around). How is your weight? Being light is going to be more important than ever to keep the stresses down. Lastly, do you have a stretching program? Tight hamstrings, glutes, or piriformis muscles could sabotage you in a big way. I suggest* Power Yoga* by Beryl Bender Birch to all of my runners with back pain.
good luck