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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Reedley California | I just had surgery on my back due to a cyst that needed to be removed as it was pressing against my sciatic nerve.
He said I would recover in 3 months, but their is a chance that my disk might slip eventually.
Has anyone came back to barrel racing after back fusion done or any other surgery on their back, like a ruptured disk or bulging disk.. Thank you for sharing as I have not heard of anyone around my area who has. |
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  Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
  
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | A LOT of board buddies have, including myself. Keep your core muscles very strong, keep up with physical therapy exercises even if you are feeling great, and just be very careful. |
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 Expert
Posts: 2258
| My dad broke his back in 1989 shattered one vertebrae and while he doesn't barrel race he did get back to riding. I have a very bad back but haven't had anything done yet. |
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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Reedley California | That is awesome to hear.. I had just was thinking to myself how great life is and I have 3 nice horse that I love. And then of course I start not being able to walk and pain shooting down my leg.. I then go in to see that dr who informs me that I need surgery.. UGGG how life can change on you in seconds.. I also had a futurty filly I cant run now because the futurity is in 3 months.. I have bought and raised this filly just to run her at the local furtuity..
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 Veteran
Posts: 138
| I had my 1st spinal fusion at L3/4 13 years ago (I have had 3 ruptured/herniated/torn discs for years before that) and was back racing after one year. I had my second fusion at L4/5 in December. I am riding slow and doing well. Should be running by the first of the year. |
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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Reedley California | Oh my goodness, you are tuff..Did you do anything special to keep your core fit or use any special equipment like a back brace..
That is amazing.. |
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Veteran
Posts: 138
| Really just ridding is the best exercise I have found for me. I have used a PC back brace some but my problems are so low it rides up just above it when I ride. My last surgeon didn't even have me in a brace after surgery. And he took out my old Hardware ran replaced it with longer hardware. LOL I was shocked when he didn't like to use them. |
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Location: Somewhere up North | Yep, two microdiscectomies; L5/S1 in 2004 then L4/L5 in 2006. One of the best things you can do after surgery, and long-term, is to walk on a treadmill with an incline. Walking on an incline keeps your buttox and back muscles strong. I could not continue to ride and barrel race at a high-level without doing my treadmill and core exercises.
Edited by buckeye4u 2013-09-29 12:44 PM
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 Super Woman
Posts: 1365
| I have 2 bulging and 1 ruptured disc. The ruptured one has done nerve damage to my left leg and foot. I have had 3 procedures done on it. I can now feel my leg (hurts now whereas I couldn't feel it before). My back pain is still there. I did go back to riding before I was supposed to. My neurosurgeon just shakes his head when he sees me. Lol the first time I saw him I said Im not letting you cut on me and Im not taking any more of these pain meds they keep me up for days! My husband said Im so glad someone else has to deal with her now. |
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 600
Location: Oklahoma & Texas | I just had my C5/C6 fused on Aug 26th- had a bone graft put in and a titanium plate screwed to my C5 and C6... I haven't rode yet lol...but I plan on it in the next couple months - I herniated my disc to the left so it was crushing the nerves that go to my left arm causing a LOT of pain... I am so glad I had the surgery though - I was apprehensive at first but post surgery I haven't had a pain pill since 2 weeks after surgery... granted I am limited in lifting and all right now and am still off of work but I should be going back to work after the 9th or so and plan on getting into shape and getting back on a horse asap after that. I am only 34 and paying for being so rough on my body at a young age ( I'm sure we can all thank horses for that lol) but not riding is not an option... whether I'll be able to compete at the level I once was I dont know but I plan on trying... if not then I'll maybe go back to showing AQHA but definitely going to try and see how the back/neck holds up... I know i sure dont want to herniate another disc though - that is not something I wish on anyone.
Edited by BBrewster 2013-09-29 2:56 PM
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 Veteran
Posts: 151
| I had a laminectomy at L4/5 in January of 2012. Was riding again in 3 months. Surgery was the best thing I had ever done! I tried physical therapy, acupuncture, chiropractor...nothing helped! After my surgery, I got out of the hospital bed pain free! Oh my goodness, it was like a miracle to not be in excruciating pain.
Then in February of this year, I was mad at hubby and moved a very heavy piece of furniture upstairs! I ruptured that same disk and had to have emergency surgery immediately. But I am riding and racing again, and in zero pain!
Like others have said, the key to success is core strength and common sense. I have taken it VERY seriously this time around and walk daily, do core exercise, DVD yoga and Pilates. I do NOT lift or move anything over 40 lbs and only do that the way I was shown.
Riding has never been painful for me! |
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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Reedley California | Thanku all for your stories.. They are an insiration to continue to try and compete..
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 Elite Veteran
Posts: 900
Location: TExas | I am, I had surgery 7/2/2013. I made my first runs in Jan. and have been running all summer. Some days I am sore but feel much better. I had surgery on my L5 S1. They went in and put spacers inbetween and I have rods and screws. I had two ruptured, they were pinching my spine so bad that I couldnt feel my legs. |
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| After my first 4 discectomys I was back to riding and barrel racing about three months later. Went to a Diane Guinn clinic 2 and half months later. I then had a multi level fusion done a little over two yrs ago and have not yet raced, not sure if I ever will due to permanent nerve damage down my leg and foot. Just don't have the balance for fast. |
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 Maine-iac
Posts: 3334
Location: Got Lobsta? | I can understand how you feel! I too had back surgery and while recovering I would work in the booth. I watched everyone's run, but instead of watching the actual run, I was watching everyone's back being thrown around and it terrified me! I kept thinking I would need a back brace and if it was really worth it. After my first couple of runs back, I realized how much I missed it and decided to push through it. I use one of those "massage mouses" after every ride to relax my back muscles. It really helped! |
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Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | For those with nerve problems, try liquid b12. I have been taking it about two years and it makes a huge difference. Not a cure, just really helps. |
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Regular
Posts: 94
Location: Reedley California | I want to thank all of your for your response. I have yet to get on my green 5 year old barrel horse. I am still a little afraid and want to make sure I dont hurt my back anymore. I am back at work light duty and still have spikes of pain every once in awhile. I have been working out everyday to build my core and getting stronger every day. |
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Damn Yankee
Posts: 12390
Location: Somewhere between raising hell and Amazing Grace | I started using a non neoprene back brace when I run barrels for support and it's helping great |
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I AM being nice
Posts: 4396
Location: MD | I had L4&5 fused in 16 years ago. Was back riding too soon and live with the consequences of it, but I still manage to function. As Missroselee said, keep your core strength up and do everything that you are supposed to, even if you think you feel well enough not to need it. That's kind of the point! |
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Porta Potty Pants
Posts: 2600
| What kind of saddles do you use after back injury? |
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Sock Snob
Posts: 3021
| In 2002 i had fusion L-5 S-1 stayed off the horse for 6 months talked to the doctor he knew i rode, but some dont really know what is involved i asked him when i could ride a riding mower, i told him if i could ride a riding mower i could ride a horse. He said he never though about it. Two years later i had a bad disk due to riding accident several years beforw that did that right after thanksgiving so i just took the winter off. The neck fusion on my neck did not do as well as he should done more the one disk, level, back riding. About 5 years ago, i was dignosed with ra, have it in my back, had a chest x-ray for sinus surgery, it should that i have arthritis in my mid back, go back to the ra doc in a,couple of weeks going to have a long talk with him. But i am still riding. |
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Anyone Barrel racing after back surgery