Golf… After Back Surgery — Anybody Have Story to Tell?

[Divotmaker77]

Had severe back spasms after running about 4 months ago.  It went away and thought I was fine and then I was on the range one day and stated to feel some slight pain in my left glute area.  Over a 2 week period it developed into pain all down my left leg but no numbness.

Had an MRI done and found out I have a slight bulge in the L4-5 area, but the pain is being caused by an annular tear in the disk. 

As of right now no surgery.  Doing some yoga, lighter exercise at the gym, and no golf (except putting and chipping) for the next 6-8 weeks.  Pain is starting to go away but any twisting is going to flare it up again until the tear repairs itself.

All I can say is that I never realized why back pain is so debilitating to folks in general and especially golfers until I had this incident. Literally have lost 10 MPH to my swing speed. I tried speeding it up and the body just would not allow me to.  My appreciation for being able to play golf (good or bad golf) has gone up exponentially after this injury.

[paininthenuts]

I play against a friend who had back surgery a few years ago. He was unable to play until last summer, and now has to use a very short and restricted swing. He is a lovely bloke, but to be honest his golf is complete rubbish. 

[DaveP043]

I'm reviving this old thread, rather than start a new one, because I'm apparently on the path towards back surgery.  When I was in Ohio for the TST outing, I had a few stabbing pains in my legs while warming up.  I was able to work past them, and played OK, but in the week following the pain worsened and became more consistent.  Of course I HAD to go to Pinehurst, to fulfil my commitment as a marshal, but the walking and standing on Monday and Tuesday only worsened the pain.  I watched the entire tournament from my sofa, instead of at my marshal position around the first tee.

Since coming home, I've been in too many doctor offices.  Had x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.  The final diagnosis, bilateral (both legs) sciatica (nerve pain) due to spinal stenosis.  Its largely degenerative, due to both genetics and aging.  I may have done something to cause the relatively sudden flare-up, but I can't identify anything specific. I've been on meds, doing stretching and exercises to improve core strength, but the doctor says the only real "cure" will require some type of surgery.  Surgery isn't right on the horizon, I'll almost certainly get x-ray guided steroid injections within the next few weeks.  If they work as hoped, I can return to normal life for at least a while.  I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

[iacas]

Sorry to hear that, but I feared it was going to go that way after our texts.

"Youth is wasted on the young."

[saevel25]

1 hour ago, DaveP043 said:

Since coming home, I've been in too many doctor offices.  Had x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.  The final diagnosis, bilateral (both legs) sciatica (nerve pain) due to spinal stenosis.  Its largely degenerative, due to both genetics and aging.  I may have done something to cause the relatively sudden flare-up, but I can't identify anything specific. I've been on meds, doing stretching and exercises to improve core strength, but the doctor says the only real "cure" will require some type of surgery.  Surgery isn't right on the horizon, I'll almost certainly get x-ray guided steroid injections within the next few weeks.  If they work as hoped, I can return to normal life for at least a while.  I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

Man, sorry to hear about that. I hope some PT and meds can help out. 

[billchao]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I'm reviving this old thread, rather than start a new one, because I'm apparently on the path towards back surgery.  When I was in Ohio for the TST outing, I had a few stabbing pains in my legs while warming up.  I was able to work past them, and played OK, but in the week following the pain worsened and became more consistent.  Of course I HAD to go to Pinehurst, to fulfil my commitment as a marshal, but the walking and standing on Monday and Tuesday only worsened the pain.  I watched the entire tournament from my sofa, instead of at my marshal position around the first tee.

Since coming home, I've been in too many doctor offices.  Had x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.  The final diagnosis, bilateral (both legs) sciatica (nerve pain) due to spinal stenosis.  Its largely degenerative, due to both genetics and aging.  I may have done something to cause the relatively sudden flare-up, but I can't identify anything specific. I've been on meds, doing stretching and exercises to improve core strength, but the doctor says the only real "cure" will require some type of surgery.  Surgery isn't right on the horizon, I'll almost certainly get x-ray guided steroid injections within the next few weeks.  If they work as hoped, I can return to normal life for at least a while.  I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

Sorry to hear, Dave. Hope you get some relief before having to go the surgery route.

[JetFan1983]

2 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I'm reviving this old thread, rather than start a new one, because I'm apparently on the path towards back surgery.  When I was in Ohio for the TST outing, I had a few stabbing pains in my legs while warming up.  I was able to work past them, and played OK, but in the week following the pain worsened and became more consistent.  Of course I HAD to go to Pinehurst, to fulfil my commitment as a marshal, but the walking and standing on Monday and Tuesday only worsened the pain.  I watched the entire tournament from my sofa, instead of at my marshal position around the first tee.

Since coming home, I've been in too many doctor offices.  Had x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.  The final diagnosis, bilateral (both legs) sciatica (nerve pain) due to spinal stenosis.  Its largely degenerative, due to both genetics and aging.  I may have done something to cause the relatively sudden flare-up, but I can't identify anything specific. I've been on meds, doing stretching and exercises to improve core strength, but the doctor says the only real "cure" will require some type of surgery.  Surgery isn't right on the horizon, I'll almost certainly get x-ray guided steroid injections within the next few weeks.  If they work as hoped, I can return to normal life for at least a while.  I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

Very sorry to hear that, hope you're back on the course ASAP!

Just a suggestion that I often see overlooked, so I'm gonna try my best to help here, even if it is not the solution for you:

Give dry needling a go. Get it from a DPT. Talk to medical professionals about it. 

The effectiveness of dry needling in patients with chronic low back pain: a prospective, randomized, single-blinded study - PMC

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Dry needling (DN) is a standard procedure for treating musculoskeletal disorders. However, there are no clear recommendations for using DN in low back pain (LBP). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the effectiveness of...

I've been tweeting at the Chasing Scratch Pod to get Eli some dry needling before any kind of hip/back surgery. They liked both tweets I've sent them, but they probably didn't listen, which I understand. I'm just some guy over the internet. 

But is a massage gun effective at all against the back pain? I've had back pain refer down my leg but that pain was from taut bands around the spine and not the discs. 

If dry needling fails, oh well. At least you tried another option in attempt to avoid surgery. It will only take a handful of sessions to realize if it's not helping. 

Dry Needling Can Effectively Reduce Neck And Lower Back Pain!

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Dry needling is a technique regularly used at Spargo Physical Therapy to reduce muscular pain, muscle spasms, improve tissue mobility and restore normal motion. In some cases dry needling may even be effective for...

 

I've had my erector spinae muscles dry needled often in the past year, and to me, they feel like disc related pain even though they aren't. I'm not saying you're in the same boat, but who knows. 

Very sorry in advance if this isn't the solution, but again, I'm sure your doctor(s) would agree you should exhaust all options before back surgery. Dry needling is very often overlooked as an option.

Regardless of what happens, I hope your symptoms resolve ASAP and you're back to playing this maddening game!

[DaveP043]

3 hours ago, iacas said:

Sorry to hear that, but I feared it was going to go that way after our texts.

"Youth is wasted on the young."

Yea, I was kind of expecting the news, especially after reading the CT and MRI reports.

2 hours ago, saevel25 said:

Man, sorry to hear about that. I hope some PT and meds can help out. 

Thanks, PT and meds are definitely helping with the symptoms, but can't address the root cause.  No matter their impact now, PT will definitely put me in a better position to recover when the surgery actually happens.

1 hour ago, billchao said:

Sorry to hear, Dave. Hope you get some relief before having to go the surgery route.

Me too!  If the steroid injections are effective, they could give months to even a few years before surgery is required.  I just finished a course of oral steroids, and they won't give the injection until at least two weeks has passed.  

1 hour ago, JetFan1983 said:

Very sorry to hear that, hope you're back on the course ASAP!

Just a suggestion that I often see overlooked, so I'm gonna try my best to help here, even if it is not the solution for you:

Give dry needling a go. Get it from a DPT. Talk to medical professionals about it. 

But is a massage gun effective at all against the back pain? I've had back pain refer down my leg but that pain was from taut bands around the spine and not the discs. 

I appreciate the suggestions.  At one of my PT sessions, I've had both dry needling and a massage gun, with very little discernable impact.  As far as I've heard from the spine doc, mine isn't a muscle issue as much as disc deterioration and bone growth constricting the the spinal canal.  

[GolfLug]

4 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I'm reviving this old thread, rather than start a new one, because I'm apparently on the path towards back surgery.  When I was in Ohio for the TST outing, I had a few stabbing pains in my legs while warming up.  I was able to work past them, and played OK, but in the week following the pain worsened and became more consistent.  Of course I HAD to go to Pinehurst, to fulfil my commitment as a marshal, but the walking and standing on Monday and Tuesday only worsened the pain.  I watched the entire tournament from my sofa, instead of at my marshal position around the first tee.

Since coming home, I've been in too many doctor offices.  Had x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.  The final diagnosis, bilateral (both legs) sciatica (nerve pain) due to spinal stenosis.  Its largely degenerative, due to both genetics and aging.  I may have done something to cause the relatively sudden flare-up, but I can't identify anything specific. I've been on meds, doing stretching and exercises to improve core strength, but the doctor says the only real "cure" will require some type of surgery.  Surgery isn't right on the horizon, I'll almost certainly get x-ray guided steroid injections within the next few weeks.  If they work as hoped, I can return to normal life for at least a while.  I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

Oh man! Sorry to hear but at the same rate surgery is root cause address if that is where you certainly end up. From what I understand they are not terribly invasive. So there's that.  

[DaveP043]

12 minutes ago, GolfLug said:

From what I understand they are not terribly invasive.

I think there are a number of different surgical procedures available, from minimally invasive to really significant.  I have no idea what type I might need, just working through the normal steps from minimal (meds and PT) to steroid injections and eventually to surgery.  

At least I'm feeling less pain, I'm planning to get back to my referee work, starting with two days this week and three days next week.  I feel just fine sitting in a golf cart.  I need to get out of the house before Mary Anne kills me!

[boogielicious]

6 hours ago, DaveP043 said:

I'm reviving this old thread, rather than start a new one, because I'm apparently on the path towards back surgery.  When I was in Ohio for the TST outing, I had a few stabbing pains in my legs while warming up.  I was able to work past them, and played OK, but in the week following the pain worsened and became more consistent.  Of course I HAD to go to Pinehurst, to fulfil my commitment as a marshal, but the walking and standing on Monday and Tuesday only worsened the pain.  I watched the entire tournament from my sofa, instead of at my marshal position around the first tee.

Since coming home, I've been in too many doctor offices.  Had x-rays, CT scan, and MRI.  The final diagnosis, bilateral (both legs) sciatica (nerve pain) due to spinal stenosis.  Its largely degenerative, due to both genetics and aging.  I may have done something to cause the relatively sudden flare-up, but I can't identify anything specific. I've been on meds, doing stretching and exercises to improve core strength, but the doctor says the only real "cure" will require some type of surgery.  Surgery isn't right on the horizon, I'll almost certainly get x-ray guided steroid injections within the next few weeks.  If they work as hoped, I can return to normal life for at least a while.  I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

Must be something about golfing in Ohio! I haven’t played since then. I injured my hip before the trip and played through it and the lessons in Erie. Compensating did a number on my left SI joint. I’m very familiar with SI joint injuries too since I dealt with my right SI since a high school injury. That was a long time ago.

I hope you can delay surgery and recover somewhat with the injections. I’ve had that done too on my right side. You still have to do the work, but it does help. Good luck.

[dennyjones]

Give "every" avenue a thorough look before surgery.   Don't rule out anything that will give you relief.   Do your homework for every doctor you deal with.   From experience, I wish you well.

[bkuehn1952]

I hope you discover some good alternative to surgery. We need you back on the golf course.

[The Flush]

I had a L4/5 discectomy about 25 years ago. In my case the disc had ruptured on both sides of my spine and pinched nerves on both sides.  I described my pain as someone was always walking behind me stabbing me in the back of both legs with an ice pick or pouring acid down the back of my legs. My whole lower body would go numb and I frequently tripped over my own feet because I couldn't feel them when I walked.  It sucked.  

I tried PT and chiropractors, neither of which helped. Never tried the steroid shots though. I suffered for about 9 months before I finally had surgery. I knew as soon as I woke up that I was better. Within a week I was walking 3 miles a day. My only real restriction was I was told not to sit in a chair, so I could work for something like 6 weeks or maybe even more. I assume current techniques are better and the return to work is quicker.

Unfortunately I did not play much golf afterwards, mainly due to our first kid being born about 9 months after surgery. I didn't play much until my youngest got into golf when he was a junior into high school. My back had nothing to do with me not playing. Since surgery, I have played golf, snow skied, and lifted heavy weights with the only thing holding me back being my overall poor fitness. I have had a lot of other problems (hernias x3, gall bladder, pulmonary embolism, basal cell carcinoma, etc., but none of them related to my back.

 

YMMV

 

[DaveP043]

On 7/8/2024 at 10:24 AM, DaveP043 said:

I'll try to keep posting as I go through the process.

The process is frustratingly slow, but I'm scheduled to get the epidural steroid injection Thursday, two days from now.  From everything I've learned, it may be a couple of days before I'll know how effective it is, but I'm hopeful I can return to something like normal life for  a while.  At least I've been able to do my rules work, being outdoors is a lot better than sitting on my backside all day.   I even added another event, a junior match play competition matching Maryland against Virginia, to be held in Williamsburg, VA.  Foursomes, Fourballs, and singles matches.  

[DaveP043]

On 7/23/2024 at 3:05 PM, DaveP043 said:

The process is frustratingly slow, but I'm scheduled to get the epidural steroid injection Thursday, two days from now.  From everything I've learned, it may be a couple of days before I'll know how effective it is, but I'm hopeful I can return to something like normal life for  a while.  At least I've been able to do my rules work, being outdoors is a lot better than sitting on my backside all day.   I even added another event, a junior match play competition matching Maryland against Virginia, to be held in Williamsburg, VA.  Foursomes, Fourballs, and singles matches.  

Back with another report, about 10 or 11 days after the injection.  So far its working great, none of the burning shooting pains down my legs for maybe a week now, maybe a little longer.  That's the good news, the bad news is that the numbness and muscle weakness caused by the nerve impingement are improving only slowly.  Not unexpected, and there's no assurance that they'll completely return to normal, but still the improvement continues.  As I mentioned, I was in Williamsburg for a 2-day junior event,  spent a LOT more time standing and walking than I've done for a while, with no pain.  It gives me hope that maybe I can return to golf semi-soon.

[saevel25]

Glad to hear favorable outcomes from taking the injections. 

[DaveP043]

On 8/5/2024 at 2:35 PM, DaveP043 said:

It gives me hope that maybe I can return to golf semi-soon.

So I finally made my return, 9 holes today with no pain, just fatigue.  If I'm lucky, I'll continue to heal and not have a problem again.  If I'm unlucky, the problems will return, and keep returning, and I'll have surgery.  So I keep doing my core exercises and hope for the best.  Thanks for the support over the summer, my friends!