Slipped disc...is golf over?

[Alex1]

Anyone have a slipped disc or similar back problems? What's the prognosis regarding golf? Are you basically finished with golf, or can you resume once the injury has healed?

[coffeediver]

I have had 2 slipped discs, 4 surgeries on them and finally a fifth surgery to fuse L4, L5 and S1. I play many rounds and still drive the ball 275 when I connect.

I had asked the doc if he could put a pre-loaded spring in my back for more distance and maybe even a swivel to help with swing plane but all for naught.

Except for numbness in my right leg below the knee which makes it difficult to walk a course. Other than a high handicap I have no other problems.

Barry

[Alex1]

"I have had...4 surgeries on them"

That's what I'm trying to avoid - surgeries. Right now I just have the numbness in my leg. If I start a stretching routine for my back, can I play golf and avoid future surgery?

[NotAStick]

I played with a guy yesterday who was 64 and had a slipped disc. He told me that he can't carry his bag anymore, but he still walks the course with a push-cart for his bag. He hit it 300+ and shot 34 on the back nine. Said that he gets more sore, but that swinging wasn't a problem with the disc, it was walking that caused more problems. He rode a cart that particular day, but said that he usually walked.

[piper_clap]

My dad has one, and stretches religiously.

He's got a few other "old man" injuries-right elbow and shoulder that hamper his swing. All together, it leaves him with a perfect swing for a set of hybrids 2 degrees flat. He doesn't hit it far, but its straight, and he putts well enough. He's happy just breaking 100 and walking around.

I think a day of casting for muskies bothers his back more than 18 holes does.

[Shorty]

There is no such thing as a "slipped disc". Find out what is really going on with the disc - prolapsing or bulging,whatever and that may help you to get a prognosis.
In short - walking is great exercise for a bad back, but everyone's back issues are different and there's no single answer.

[ApocG10]

as the guy above me said, you cant 'slip a disc', its just a bad term used to explain something else.

But, if your overweight, lose the pounds to alleviate stress, and work on stregnthening back muscles. There are many golfers out there with back problems, but if you want to continue playing, you need to make a commitment to your health and fitness.

[allin]

Agree with those that you need to know specifics of disc issue. I have one dessicated disc in my upper back and two bulging ones in my lower back. The lower discs sometimes cause me to have sciatica, ? not sure of spelling, in my left bum and leg. I have been able to avoid surgery with pilates and stretching. Stretching my legs, especially hamstrings, some people also find symptomatic relief from any number of back products which provide mild traction to the spine, although there is no proof they heal anything.