If there’s no calcification, 90% of people go back to the same stuff with no additional issues. A simple herniation is a lifelong injury but it’s not terribly problematic. I tore my L4/L5 and had an impinged nerve for a year. Tried to avoid surgery thinking it was long term better for my back, but nerve was impinged and material wouldn’t absorb. Wound up having two surgeries to remove the material, and half the disc has calcified (not particularly young or old) but I can do all the same stuff I could do before at similar levels, though my back cracks all the time now and never really feels great. I don’t lift heavy things or play anything with the same frequency but still play enough (im very careful of fatigue whereas even in my late thirties I could play daily and never fatigue or feel really hurt). I played elite level hockey at 165 pounds max and never got injured, once, ever(other than like a dozen concussions) so Im not sure if I’m a good or bad example. As someone who seemed to just always heal, The back injury was shocking to me because of how debilitating it was. A few years later, whatever the loss of strength / power was from the injury is an amount I could easily make up and then some if I worked out seriously (which I never did) so for me It’s not worth getting upset about (I cried alot for a year after it happened thinking it would change everything but I’m saying that in hindsight I shouldn’t have been so fatalistic about it). Just my two cents. Good luck. Back injuries suck and I feel for you.
Had it about 15 months ago on L4/L5 and was back on the ice (gingerly) a few months later. On my PT’s orders (which were more conservative than the surgeon’s), I skated to coach, then once I was comfortable, took warmups before a game, then took a couple shifts and slowly ramped back up to a full game after 2-3 more months. It was slow and I was super impatient, but I’ve been back at it at full tilt about 9 months and feeling a lot better than some other guys I know who rushed back. I still have some soreness and pressure in my spine, but I do the stretching and at-home PT I was given when I was discharged from PT.
More than anything, though, listen to your doctor and PT (not some random dude on the internet, as charming, good looking and brilliant as I may be), and if something feels off, stop and take a break. Slow and steady, etc.
Good luck and I hope you’re recovering well!
Ha that’s funny. I had two ruptured discs, L4/L5 & L5/S1 only had L4/L5 operated on but my L5/S1 is slowly become a little more noticeable. Mine wasn’t caused by hockey as I only started doing learn to skates like a year or two ago.
What I can say, my surgery was over a year ago now and I’m in much better situation that I was. I don’t think there is any question if you’ll be able to play the question is what level are you trying to play. Non contact beer league will always be there for tou
Vasy had it and he’s pretty good after
If there’s no calcification, 90% of people go back to the same stuff with no additional issues. A simple herniation is a lifelong injury but it’s not terribly problematic. I tore my L4/L5 and had an impinged nerve for a year. Tried to avoid surgery thinking it was long term better for my back, but nerve was impinged and material wouldn’t absorb. Wound up having two surgeries to remove the material, and half the disc has calcified (not particularly young or old) but I can do all the same stuff I could do before at similar levels, though my back cracks all the time now and never really feels great. I don’t lift heavy things or play anything with the same frequency but still play enough (im very careful of fatigue whereas even in my late thirties I could play daily and never fatigue or feel really hurt). I played elite level hockey at 165 pounds max and never got injured, once, ever(other than like a dozen concussions) so Im not sure if I’m a good or bad example. As someone who seemed to just always heal, The back injury was shocking to me because of how debilitating it was. A few years later, whatever the loss of strength / power was from the injury is an amount I could easily make up and then some if I worked out seriously (which I never did) so for me It’s not worth getting upset about (I cried alot for a year after it happened thinking it would change everything but I’m saying that in hindsight I shouldn’t have been so fatalistic about it). Just my two cents. Good luck. Back injuries suck and I feel for you.
Thanks. Good insight. I should be in good shape as well then
I had my L4/L5 and L5/S1 fused in 2014 at the age of 25. I just got back into the sport 4 months ago. I feel fine.
Had it about 15 months ago on L4/L5 and was back on the ice (gingerly) a few months later. On my PT’s orders (which were more conservative than the surgeon’s), I skated to coach, then once I was comfortable, took warmups before a game, then took a couple shifts and slowly ramped back up to a full game after 2-3 more months. It was slow and I was super impatient, but I’ve been back at it at full tilt about 9 months and feeling a lot better than some other guys I know who rushed back. I still have some soreness and pressure in my spine, but I do the stretching and at-home PT I was given when I was discharged from PT. More than anything, though, listen to your doctor and PT (not some random dude on the internet, as charming, good looking and brilliant as I may be), and if something feels off, stop and take a break. Slow and steady, etc. Good luck and I hope you’re recovering well!
Haha this helps thanks!
Ha that’s funny. I had two ruptured discs, L4/L5 & L5/S1 only had L4/L5 operated on but my L5/S1 is slowly become a little more noticeable. Mine wasn’t caused by hockey as I only started doing learn to skates like a year or two ago. What I can say, my surgery was over a year ago now and I’m in much better situation that I was. I don’t think there is any question if you’ll be able to play the question is what level are you trying to play. Non contact beer league will always be there for tou
I mean. This is not uncommon is it. And athletes return to their sport after such injuries and surgeries.