[at-l] Packing a Blown Back

[TRich@FDIC.gov (Rich, Timothy D.)]

Greetings,

In the Fall/Winter of 1997, I blew a disc in my back.  My symptoms got
progressively worse (pain in hip/leg, numbness in big toe/foot, loss of
strength in foot) and I had minor back surgery (microdiscectomy) to cut out
the ruptured portion of that disc (L4-L5, I believe).  The next one down,
L5-S1 I think, is also deteriorating.  Since the surgery, I believe I've
regained most, if not all, of my strength loss.  My doctor told me to resume
all of my normal activities except my 20 year love affair with the game of
basketball.  I limit my basketball to my driveway with the boys.  At 37, my
dunking days are over anyway and my only major jumping is to keep my
teenager in his place.  Between experience and a physical game that
occasionally resembles mugging, I figure I can keep him down for another
year.

Regarding backpacking and pack weight, Doc told me to pack no more than 35
pounds.  I'm 6-1 and 195 lbs., and I've carried a good bit more than that
since then without problems.  My hiking is limited to short overnight
stretches with my boys and an annual 100 miler to knock out a section of the
AT.

According to my neurosurgeon, the best result from back surgery is relief of
symptoms, but I'd always have a bad joint in my back.  There's also a chance
of re-rupture, but I'm not going to live scared, just aware.  If you're in
the Atlanta area and need a neurosurgeon, I recommend my guy to everyone -
he's cut several of my friends and my boss (who's a friend).  Tariq Javed,
Marietta.  I thought the fact that he'd done microdiscectomies on Atlanta
Hawks players was highest praise until a doctor I went to said, "Oh, he's
very good.  He does all of the doctors' backs."

Regarding exercises, if you search the archives, someone posted back
exercises (or a link for back exercises) several years ago on the list.  We
have also had some physical therapists on the list off and on over the years
who might recommend some exercises.  For me, I just stayed a little active
playing softball and concentrated on the stairmaster as my trips approach.
I've done no targeted back exercises.

Trailwise, my own personal, marginally scientific opinion is that my back is
more prone to hurt when I'm not properly hydrated.  That's probably true for
all of my joints, though.

Good luck in your rehab and preparations.

Take Care,

Tim

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From: TrailR@aol.com
Date: Fri, 6 Sep 2002 12:14:41 EDT
Subject: Re: [at-l] Upstate SC trails
To: wilderness1@starband.net
CC: at-l@mailman.backcountry.net

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In a message dated 9/6/2002 10:26:16 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
wilderness1@starband.net writes:


>
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> These cool mountain evenings mean it's time for me to hit the trails in
> earnest.
>
> Last year, July 2001, I blew a disc out in my back causing some nerve
> damage going to my leg. Needless to say I had to stop packing. Its been
> over a year now, and I'm sure I've lost some leg strength I had before the
> accident. I've started packing again, but only on 2/3 day trips. Now I
feel
> its time for me to get back into LD trail shape again.
>
> I live by Table Rock State Park in SC. I have noticed that the list has
> several members from the upstate SC/GA and Ashville NC area. I would like
> to find some members interested in various area hikes ranging from weekend
> trails (-30) miles to weeklong trips (80+/-mi) to start out.
>
> I'm planning on several trips over the Chattooga Trail (50mi), Foothills
> Trail (85mi), and many of the Mountain Bridge trails. Starting out light,
> and working up to multiple AT sections this upcoming year to get ready for
> an AT thru hike in 2004.
>
> The accident delayed my plans by at least a year.
>
> If you are not from the area but would like to check out some of the great
> local trails, let me know. I'm available for hikes most any time, weekends
> or weekdays if planned in advance.
>
> Jeff / Wilderness1@starband.net
>
I live in the upstate & also have disc problems (2 bulging & 1 herniated).
I'm planning a Thru in 2003 & will be building my ab & back muscles up for
the next 6 months.
My longest trip was 3 days/27 miles last year on the AT, and my back gave
out
(legs did fine). I was carrying 40 pounds and was out of shape. Now I'm
hiking/walking hills all the time with a small pack (5-10 lbs) full of
water,
and also working on my ab & back muscles. I won't test my back until after a
few months of working it out. Hopefully this will make the difference when I
start my thru in 2003.

What did you do to get your back in shape? I need all the help I can get.
As a matter of fact, I'll take input from all listers on this topic.


Russ 2003