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[praguetaz]

Gents,

I'm laid up this week after going through 4 days of barely being able to move, get out of bed, walk or sleep. Actually was in ER on early Sunday morning getting injections in my back for the excruciating pain which last happened to me nearly 3 years ago....saying that this time wasn't quite as bad although same result. I think my physio told me last time that I shouldn't do any sports for at least 3 months which is a bit ironic as i'm a PE teacher.

Walking today and slept last night but is there any chance I can recover within a few weeks to play cricket? I've only played 1 match this season and fear it may already be over!!

Common sense is telling me a. lose weight, b. lower back strengthening exercises (which I already do daily) c. don't do anything stupid like rush back to cricket as work is first priority alongside giving my poor fiance a break who's been nursing me (for the second time)

Anyone with experience and advice?

[AdClem]

Praguetaz,

I don't want to depress you, but I think your physio's right.  You should have had the good sense to slip your disc in October, like me.  Doctor said 8-10 weeks but it was more like 12; and I still get a dull ache for much of the time.  Admittedly mine was at the other end of the spine, but I would think the recovery times are similar.  I had 2 weeks of indescribable pain, like I've never felt before, followed by 10 weeks of mere agony.  Initially it was referred pain: shoulder/shoulder blade/upper arm/tingling thumb and index finger.  The neck itself didn't seem to hurt until the referred pain receded; then it did, I can tell you.

A mate of mine is a consultant rheumatologist and I asked him whether this would be a 'one-off, get better and never trouble me again' thing.  Regrettably, he said it was unlikely.  Once you've had a rupture like that, scar tissue forms and you'll always be susceptible.  That might explain why this is your second occurrence.  He also said that there was no alternative but to wait for the inflammation to go down, which in turn would relieve pressure on the nerve, and that that would take time.  Oh, and he also said NEVER allow anyone to manipulate your neck after you've slipped a disc there because, in rare circumstances, you could end up paralysed.

Anyway, I'm not a doctor myself, and only speaking from personal experience - which is not quite the same as yours.  Your mileage may vary.  Personally I'd be gutted to miss the season but, if my livelihood was P.E. too, I'd want to recover fully before I exerted myself too much.

Good luck.

[praguetaz]

Thanks for the advice... i've never been sure if i've ever ruptured the disc proper.. possible slip and definitely pressing on nerve(s). Last time the pain was shooting down my legs but not this time though...

I realise this could always happen in future and I think i've been through this at least 4 times in the last 12 years or so (and i'm convinced weight has something to do with it) although the result is the same - take time off sport to recover, wear a brace to work, don't sit for too long and keep doing the exercises but I'm going to see a physio a few times to see if I can aid the recovery time, perhaps get some more info but with your friend's views in the back of my mind.