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

[mcotter]

I have a couple disc that needs to be fused, buut am not willing to have in done yet. Low lumbar region. I am however, going to have a partial laminectomy (trimming of a disc to relieve pressure from the nerve). Curious if any of you have had the same issues and how long you were on the sideline and unable to play golf.

[Clambake]

I had a full laminectomy at T12 to biopsy a lesion in my spinal cord last December. It took about a month to be able to really start bending and twisting a bit, and I started swinging a club again in February about 8 weeks after surgery with another week to start feeling like I had a golf swing again. Unfortunately the lesion grew in size and debilitating pain kept me from playing again through most of the year (from the lesion, not because of the surgery), but I was hitting the range periodically and didn't feel any ill effects from the laminectomy.

I just had another surgery two weeks ago where they were able to get out the whole lesion and figured out what it was (a parasite of all things!); this surgery was pretty much the same as the laminectomy, so it will be another month of little physical activity to let things heal. I was up and walking the hospital hallways the next day, and up to about 2-3 miles a day 5 days after surgery. After two weeks now I'm generally OK, with some leg numbness and pain and swelling at the incision site, but the pain isn't bad and is only really noticeable when trying to sleep. I'm not supposed to do any lifting or significant stretching or bending for about 6 weeks after surgery; according to my doctors, it takes about that long for the muscles to get settled back in place and re-attach back to the bone, particularly in the thoracic spine region. Even though you'll feel fine earlier, you can cause more damage and put back your recovery if you get too active too fast. But judging from my prior surgery, I expect to be pretty much back to full flexibility and most of my back strength within 8-10 weeks following surgery.

Back surgery certainly isn't fun and it does take some time to come back, but from my experience it isn't as bad as its reputation, and gaining the relief from the pain you're likely experiencing can be well worth it. Best of luck on your recovery!!!

[ibigler]

A buddy on mine had back surgery late last year. He still has some discomfort if he turns a certain way. Long story short, he was invited by his girlfriend to go play with her and her father at Trump National. Supposedly there is a large outdoor dining area looking over the first tee box. So he was last to tee off, he takes a few practice swings, feeling pretty good. and then he lets it rip. he hits on top of the ball and it goes about 20 yards. His girlfriend and her father were already at their carts waiting to go after their balls while he is hunched over, still at the tee box, not able to move. so his girlfriend had to go get him and walk him back to the cart, going a step a minute. he said everyone eating lunch got up and went to the balcony and was watching the entire thing. needless to say, he didnt finish the round

[65withatriple]

I ruptured l4/l5 in 2004. Was in severe pain for a year and a half and couldn't play golf or participate any physical activity. After seeing 4 ortho's I decided I was willing to risk surgery. Had a microdiscectomy. Walked a pain free mile the day after. Had to wait 6 more months for my first round of golf and shot 74. Although I was in constant pain the surgery I required was fairly simple. I have had no problems since and play up to 100 rounds a year. (Knock on wood). I feel stupid for putting it off for so long in hind site, but I would never recommend rushing into any surgery, especially on your back.

[JML22]

yuck back surgery
how old are you guys?

[nuck81]

My dad broke his back when a Semi rear ended him and he had several back surgeries. It really hampered his ability to rotate and twist. He adjusted by taking a more armsy swing, but it really didn't effect his game all that much.

[luggage]

I am recovering from a lamenectomy L4/L5 on March 1 2012.  Things going pretty well.  Stretching is CRITICAL.  I am just getting back to swinging the club and I guess it's not too bad.  It does impair my ability to make a full swing without fear of doing damage.  I have two Medicus clubs (driver and 5 iron) and they help me with consistent motion.  I have only hit a couple of buckets of balls and chip in my back yard.  I can hit a full wedge without going in someone's yard.  Of course I can only hit my PW about 80 yrds and I feel good about that.  The thing that the Medicus doesn't help me with is posture and keeping my body correct and not raising up on my down swing.  I need some help with that.  Anyone have any suggestion or tips on how to practice the posture and not raising up?

[ERLoft]

Keep at it all of you!

No back surgeries here thankfully, but 4 total knee surgeries, one shoulder surgery and a likely upcoming surgery for bone spurs in my elbow.  Never much fun coming back from them...

[poser]

Had back surgery for bulging discs in l4/l5 and still play 1-3 times a week.  I had surgery on a thursday and went back to work on Monday.  I had really bad sciatica in my right leg and since surgery its been ten times better.  It was the last resort for me I tried everything else before surgery.  I played golf about 6 months later and it did take a while to where I could play more often I find i can get around pretty well now with no pain.  My back actually feels worse when I sit around all day instead of playing golf.

[jlt73]

I had 4 herniated discs and had a discectomy a few years ago and it was the best thing I could have done!

I was able to get back to strenuous activities gradually after a month

[raygrinberg]

I had an L5-S1 micro-discectomy 5 weeks ago. Played my first round today since. A bit shaky with the short game but otherwise pretty happy with an 87. Kept the swing smooth and easy.

[joekelly]

Had a double laminectomy, L3/5, 6 yrs ago and have had no problems at all and can still do all my yoga postures.  Except last month i had a total knee replacement so now am in rehab but can still swing the club but walking slow and painful and probably will be for some months.  Thank you Medicare.

[luggage]

JML:yuck back surgery how old are you guys?......Longevity offers rewards and challenges.  Just pray you get the opportunity.

[Bullitt5339]

I'm only 38, but I broke my back in 2003 in Iraq and have had 2 surgeries since.  Still have pelvic tilt and some pain, but play 2-3 times a week.

One thing I've noticed is that my rotation isn't as fast as it used to be, and my swing speed has slowed way down to around 96-98mph with the driver because of it.  It has effected my driving the most, I have compensated with my 5 iron and below so that I'm playing them better than ever in my life.  The driver is a constant irritation, though.  I went to take a lesson and the instructor tried to get me to turn a certain way that I was physically incapable of and I let him know that and we tried to work around it.  I can hit the ball fairly straight, but just can't get the ball up in the air adequately with the 10.5* driver.  I may end up switching to a 12 or 13 degree driver if I'm not physically capable of fixing my swing because there's no way I'm going to stop playing.

[cooke119]

Two back surgeries L5S1, first when I was in the Air Force in 1972 ( a little thing was going on in Southeast Asia). Second four years ago, same disc but this time the pain was down the right leg versus the left the first time. I stopped playing for a year or two, probably more out of fear then anything else. I started playing again two or three years ago. Been a long road back, I take it easy. My distance is down but I make up for it with accuracy. I can't walk 18 so I use a cart, I walk when we play 9. I did not have a fusion so I don't know what the recovery period is for that, I think it is longer, can't say. Bottomline, my operation was well worth it, I was in soooo much pain, but I don't have to tell you or anyone else that has had the operation.

[cooke119]

For my right arm and keeping my head down I visualize throwing a rock side arm like when you're skipping a rock on water. Sounds stupid but it works for me.

[Lihu]

Bad back, sounds really ugly. I sprained my back a many years ago and had to use crutches to take off the pressure. I fell about 150 feet, and stretched the rope 20 feet or more, during a climbing accident, needless to say I don't climb mountains anymore, because I had to hike 10 miles with a sprained back and a 40 pound pack. Now, I can only do the occasional rock climbing at Joshua Tree or Taquitz. No more big rocks at Yosemite, nor mountains anymore. Getting too old for that, anyway. If you have back issues, you should wait till it feels like you can move without stiffness. Once you can do this, I would guess you need to swing slowly at first and hit a few hundred quarter swings with NO effort exerted. As your back loosens up, make bigger swings. The feeling of hitting the club should be like a tiny stiffness, but no pain. Start longer swings as your back allows. Remember NO pain should be felt at all. Make sure you stretch out, gently, before hitting. In my climbing, skiiing, backcountry days I used a lot of vitamin I (Ibuprofen). NOT a good idea if you want to continue through middle age and longer. Be really good to your back, it's not like your other bones where you can break me multiple times with no real adverse effects.

[Lawrence H]

I had a Lamenectomy 5 months ago to remove a large tumour in my spinal cord.  General recovery was very quick, but the last 10% was slow. That's when I started going to the gym and doing some strengthening exercises. That was going really well, so I thought I'd go out to the driving range and hit a small bucket.

I've never hit so well in my life. I was actually aiming for the different targets and hitting them! Every single time! I was so excited. But as I got near the bottom of the bucket I started to feel really tired. My competitive nature kicked in, and I forced myself to keep going, in fact, decided to swing harder, see how far I could really go.

And then I wrenched my back out so bad I was lying on the ground in pain, barely able to move.

That was yesterday. Lots of cold packs and Advil, and I can walk again, but I haven't been in that much pain since right after the operation. I feel like I've just erased 5 months worth of recovery, and doubt I'll pick up a club again this summer.

So, my advice is to take it easy. Yes, if your doctor says it's ok, go to the driving range, but don't grip it and rip it. Work on your short game at first. Think 75-yards. And if you start to feel tired, then STOP!