range of motion after discectomy

[swenxuekizniageil]

hello everyone

well i started having back problems 2 years ago
about 6 months ago i was diagnosed with a prolapsed l5 s1
i had a partial discectomy 3 months ago
since the problem began i have only been able to bend at my hips about 10 degreess , i was told after surgery i would get my range of motion back ... however i cannot still bend at my hips... im only 23 ... and would love to get back to playin football and being a normal young person ... however my range is limited and i was just wondering if anyone had any ideas why i cannot bend as the disc material which was protruding has now been removed.
thank you for your help imran

 

[kxepmurrikgifzeaz]

Hi, i am a pilates instructor who has a few clients with back problems. Its often the case that as you have protected your back during your discomfort the muscles will have tightened around your hips/lower back and this may be what is causing your lack of mobility.
Have you tried starting gentle exercises to help your mobility. Pilates is a fantastic way to tretch and strengthen your back.

 

[zeeshan]

Hi Imran. I had an L4/L5 discectomy in February and I have started horse riding again. My instructor cannot believe how much flexibility I have in my lower back. Have you got physio exercises to do? I was given lower back stretches and exercises to do from the very day after my operation. Its really important to get your lower back moving as scar tissue can attach to the sciatic nerve and you'll get your pain back. Get back to your doctor and get some physio or go for pilates. Totally agree with Amy, its the muscles that are protecting your lower back and unless you learn to stretch them you'll never get movement back. But you need flexibility and strength, they are key to getting your life back. Go for one to one pilates with someone trained by body control pilates or the pilates foundation, and you will definitely see improvements. If I don't do my pilates exercises and stretches I feel like an old woman - if I do them I'm normal again - let us know when you start playing football again and good luck.

 

[Fillet-O-Fish]

Hi thank you both very much for your replys , its given me some encouragement...

i was just wondering what exercises you would suggest a physio has got me doing pelvic tilts , bridging and hamgstrings strechs
but dont feel any of these are improving my range of motion in terms of forward bending ... again any help much appreiacted

many thanks Imran

 

[clexijfm]

What is the reason you cannot bend? Is it pain, if its pain is it a real creaking type pull or is it sudden and the minute you stop then the pain stops. Three months after the operation isn't long. I still can't bend forward first thing in the morning, for example, I need to use a flannel to wash my face first thing after I get up as I cannot bend forward enough to splash the soap off - if that makes sense. But after an hour of being up, I can bend down and touch my toes - but the big thing is to make sure my stomach muscles are engaged. But you should be able to bend. If you sit on the floor, with your legs stretched in front of you can you reach forward to touch your toes? Although my back is great during the day its still recovering and I have to stretch through a certain amount of pain before i can move, its recognising good pain from bad pain. Those exercises all sound similar to the ones I had. But perhaps go to the physio and explain your problem and they can help a bit more.It is important to get your lower back moving. good luck

 

[maggie l]

hi again thanks for your responce

i dont quite now why i cant bend forward
i get to my extreme point and i just cant go anymore , there isnt really any pain when im bending forwards .... and i can get a full 90 degree forward bend if im on my knees...

im seeing my consultant next week .. so hopefully ill get some answers and ask him to recomned a good physio ...

 

[Zoe<3sJackDaniels=DTM]

Hi,

Do you suffer from tight hamstrings as well? This may be why you can't bend forward from a standing position. It sounds like you need to incorporate a full body approach to getting back fit and healthy - often focusing too much on one area of the body will cause you to compensate elsewhere.

Have you seen your consultant yet?

 

[Thanksalotfan]

def hamstring problem there, you need to see someone trained in remedial massage techniques to develop hams length.
pm me if you want me to search for a suitable therapist in your area,
regards
BGFL

 

[camarenanakia]

Hi once again thank you for your responces.

I saw the consultant and hes told me the problem is purly mechanical ... im seeing the physio on wednesday and will be given some more exercises... i have however had all restrictions droped as the disk has now closed up with with scar tissue ... so its just a case of identifying what part of the body is not functioning and working on rebuilding it... i also personally think its a left hamgstring problem as when i stand on leg i can bend at the waist ( standing on the right leg).. when you say i need to work on the lenghtening the hammstrings.... how would you suggest i go about it ... streching , massasge? ... also in live in london , harrow ... so any suggestions with regards to a physio who practices remdial massage would be great... cheers for your help ...

Imran

 

[miwfgwug]

I recently had back surgery discectomy L3, L4, L5 Sept 5th I am still experiencing weakness in my left leg I still have soreness in my back and I go to physical therapy 3 times a week still can't bend with out pulling at the site. Has anyone experienced this