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Back Surgery


cooke119
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Well I just had back surgery, went very well, pain is gone but the doctor said 8 weeks before I can pick a club up. Any tips for getting back into the groove after back surgery and such a long layoff?

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I didn't have back surgery but had a back injury and had to miss most of a golf season. I just took it slow when I was ready to go again. I started with putting, then chipping then pitch shots, and worked my way up to full swings.

Back injuries are frustrating. Happy to hear the pain is gone. You'll be back before you know it!

Will W

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Well I just had back surgery, went very well, pain is gone but the doctor said 8 weeks before I can pick a club up. Any tips for getting back into the groove after back surgery and such a long layoff?

Go to a physical therapist and do your rehab correctly.

Just like any major surgery, your only as good at the end of the lay off as your commitment to the physical therapy.

Matt Dougherty, P.E.
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Go to a physical therapist and do your rehab correctly.

Just like any major surgery, your only as good at the end of the lay off as your commitment to the physical therapy.

I second this. Stay committed to PT exercises even after you're given the all clear to swing a golf club. This would help prevent future injuries.

Best Regards,
Ryan

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The doc said 8 weeks but I think it will be longer then that. I feel good but taking everyone's advise I will not rush it and given it is winter here in New York I don't have much choice.

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What precisely was this surgery?  Disc fusion, laminectomy, whatever.  I had a knee surgery and overdid on the PT. Blew out a blood vessel in my kidney and had blood in my urine.  That was not so good.  Best wishes.

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Laminectomy on L5S1. I really feel great, no pain at all. I just needs these damn staples out, which is tomorrow. Given I'm not in pain I feel like I could play 18 tomorrow but I know that isn't the case. I'll work PT as they tell , no going overboard, I have all winter to heal.

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Well I just had back surgery, went very well, pain is gone but the doctor said 8 weeks before I can pick a club up. Any tips for getting back into the groove after back surgery and such a long layoff?

Good way to keep the back healthy

Mike McLoughlin

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Saw the doctor again today, 12/20/13, good checkup and he got the staples out, thank God, did they itch! We talked about golf again, he really wants me to rest the back for a number of months, i.e., don't start swinging a club until the end of March and he is sending me to PT in a month or so to strengthen the muscles. When I go back to swinging a club he said to go to the range, start with the wedges and work your way up slowly, don't pull the big dog and start bombing drives right away. I'll take his advise.

For anyone suffering with a herniated disk, don't be afraid of the surgery. Do your homework and get a good surgeon but the surgery itself is well worth it, not living with that pain down the leg and all. Unlike a lot of surgeries I found that my surgery was pain free (other then having the drain removed which only takes a minute or so). If you're having surgery good luck and I hope you feel better.

Merry Christmas.

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Saw the doctor again today, 12/20/13, good checkup and he got the staples out, thank God, did they itch! We talked about golf again, he really wants me to rest the back for a number of months, i.e., don't start swinging a club until the end of March and he is sending me to PT in a month or so to strengthen the muscles. When I go back to swinging a club he said to go to the range, start with the wedges and work your way up slowly, don't pull the big dog and start bombing drives right away. I'll take his advise.

For anyone suffering with a herniated disk, don't be afraid of the surgery. Do your homework and get a good surgeon but the surgery itself is well worth it, not living with that pain down the leg and all. Unlike a lot of surgeries I found that my surgery was pain free (other then having the drain removed which only takes a minute or so). If you're having surgery good luck and I hope you feel better.

Merry Christmas.

I have a few herniated discs and was in rough shape for about a year and a half. Started feeling better 10 months ago. It was the worst experience of my life. The leg pain was unbearable. I was considering the surgery but my doctor was against it because of my age. Eventually the sciatic pain in my left leg calmed itself down (well, with some meds) and I have been pretty good since. I still feel it in my back from time to time but am off the pain killers and am back in the gym strengthening my core. I don't want to ever be back in a state where I can't tie my shoes or put my own sox on.

Best of luck with the recovery!

Will W

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Having your wife (or significant other) put your shoes and socks on for you really sucks, but boy with that pain there is no other way, period. I'm 62 and age never became an issue. As long as you are in fairly good shape I don't understand the question. I went through a pre-surgical physical, had everything checked out and was good to go. Now, I am not in that good a shape either, I don't really work out, (although I think after this I will start, maybe use PT as my first step and go from there), and have a few other health issues. But I was cleared and had no problems. Now it is rest and recoup then hit the links.

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I had two spine surgeries in early 2012 at age 63. I didn't swing a club for eight months after the second one. I just chipped and putted, but didn't even do that until about four months after. Ease into swinging. There is no rush. Eight weeks sounds awfully soon.

I also spent 2013 changing my golf swing to minimize the stress it places on my back. You might think about doing that, too. That was a project a pro helped me with over a two-month period. I lost 20 yards off my driver, and 12 yards off my irons, though I do hit the ball much straighter now.

Finally, I am strictly a nine-hole golfer now. Being on my feet and swinging the club through eighteen holes is too much of a load. Think about that, too.

For the first few months you get back to playing, don't hit out of bunkers, rough, and uneven lies. These shots put extra stress on your back. If your playing partners know about your recovery, they won't mind when you move the ball. Heck, the first few times I played, I couldn't bend over far enough to get the ball out of the hole, so someone else got it out for me.

What the doctor tells you about getting back to playing golf is theoretically possible, but you have to do what is best for you in your own time.

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Glad you're feeling better, sounds like you had a rough time. I'll listen to the doc and take it easy, Lord knows I don't want another back problem. Problem is I feel like I could go play 18 today.

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Note: This thread is 3747 days old. We appreciate that you found this thread instead of starting a new one, but if you plan to post here please make sure it's still relevant. If not, please start a new topic. Thank you!

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