Mild degenerative disc disease
Discussion
I have been doing 5x5 for about 5 months. About 6 weeks ago started to get sciatica, thought it was pinaformis syndrome. I run a lot, marathons, cross country most weekends all sorts of different distances but thought it best to seek medical advice. The sciatica started after hard marathon training, then a marathon, and a 10 mile race a week later. However at this point my deadlifts had hit 110kgs and I feel I strained my back in some way.
Had an MRI and the consultant said that I had 2 discs which were dark at the bottom of my spine, hence drier and causing sciatica. He said everything else was normal, didn't want to operate or do anything. Said best not to run many more marathons. He was running late, and I got sort of bundled out of his office before I could ask too many questions!
I have ongoing mild sciatica, should I be running marathons? I am running Paris and London this year, my pb is 3.45 so I am not a mega fast runner or anything.
And stronglifts, I am thinking of changing to another program anyway. However I had hit 85kgs on my squats after a deload to save my back and my rows were at 90kg, but I have dropped to 65kg again to save my back, same with deadlifts. It was taking too long anyway about 1 1/2 hours to get through the whole session with armwork which is longer than I want to spend working out.
Any comments from the PH brains out there?
Had an MRI and the consultant said that I had 2 discs which were dark at the bottom of my spine, hence drier and causing sciatica. He said everything else was normal, didn't want to operate or do anything. Said best not to run many more marathons. He was running late, and I got sort of bundled out of his office before I could ask too many questions!
I have ongoing mild sciatica, should I be running marathons? I am running Paris and London this year, my pb is 3.45 so I am not a mega fast runner or anything.
And stronglifts, I am thinking of changing to another program anyway. However I had hit 85kgs on my squats after a deload to save my back and my rows were at 90kg, but I have dropped to 65kg again to save my back, same with deadlifts. It was taking too long anyway about 1 1/2 hours to get through the whole session with armwork which is longer than I want to spend working out.
Any comments from the PH brains out there?
How old are you ?
Most people have disc degeneration, it is part of the normal ageing process.
Mild degeneration isn't normally a big problem.
Sciatica - proper sciatica - usually occurs when a disc (or discs) bulges causing it to press on the sciatic nerve.
However, there are many other causes of leg pain associated to back pain.
How far down your leg does your sciatic pain go ?
Most people have disc degeneration, it is part of the normal ageing process.
Mild degeneration isn't normally a big problem.
Sciatica - proper sciatica - usually occurs when a disc (or discs) bulges causing it to press on the sciatic nerve.
However, there are many other causes of leg pain associated to back pain.
How far down your leg does your sciatic pain go ?
Red 4 said:
How old are you ?
Most people have disc degeneration, it is part of the normal ageing process.
Mild degeneration isn't normally a big problem.
Sciatica - proper sciatica - usually occurs when a disc (or discs) bulges causing it to press on the sciatic nerve.
However, there are many other causes of leg pain associated to back pain.
How far down your leg does your sciatic pain go ?
I am 45, the consulant said he would expect to see this when I was 50. He said my it was the cause of my sciatica. I had no reflex in my left leg when he hit it with his rubber mallet the first time he saw me.Most people have disc degeneration, it is part of the normal ageing process.
Mild degeneration isn't normally a big problem.
Sciatica - proper sciatica - usually occurs when a disc (or discs) bulges causing it to press on the sciatic nerve.
However, there are many other causes of leg pain associated to back pain.
How far down your leg does your sciatic pain go ?
The pain is in the top of my arse today, at the back, and my leg feels numb down to the knee. Bending over is tricky also.
It is not terrible pain, just very uncomfortable. The consultant didn't seem unduly worried, I was expecting a terrible diagnosis and an operation, which was very relieving! As I said on the MRI 2 of my discs low down were dark, the others looked very different. Like the pic below, but a bit darker.
L3/4 and L4/5 are dehydrated (disc degeneration).
Your leg pain could be true sciatica or there could be another cause - facet syndrome, sacroiliac joint problems, piriformis syndrome, etc. etc.
There are so many nerves that run through your spine - the sciatic nerve is just one.
I am not a surgeon but I do have a long-standing (permanent) spinal injury and I have seen lots and lots of Consultants and specialists - one thing I have found is that they often have slightly varying opinions; the more you see, the more opinions you get.
It might be telling that your leg pain only extends as far as the back of the knee though - sciatica often goes to the foot (the sciatic nerve runs into the foot).
Also, facet problems and SI joint problems will be very difficult to diagnose based on a scan - they often don't show up.
Unfortunately, diagnosing back pain is not an exact science. The symptoms one problem causes often mimmicks the symptoms of other causes.
I do find it odd that your consultant could tell the difference between a 45 year old spine and a 50 year old spine though - people's spines degenerate at different rates.
I think if it was me, I'd be looking for a second opinion.
Your leg pain could be true sciatica or there could be another cause - facet syndrome, sacroiliac joint problems, piriformis syndrome, etc. etc.
There are so many nerves that run through your spine - the sciatic nerve is just one.
I am not a surgeon but I do have a long-standing (permanent) spinal injury and I have seen lots and lots of Consultants and specialists - one thing I have found is that they often have slightly varying opinions; the more you see, the more opinions you get.
It might be telling that your leg pain only extends as far as the back of the knee though - sciatica often goes to the foot (the sciatic nerve runs into the foot).
Also, facet problems and SI joint problems will be very difficult to diagnose based on a scan - they often don't show up.
Unfortunately, diagnosing back pain is not an exact science. The symptoms one problem causes often mimmicks the symptoms of other causes.
I do find it odd that your consultant could tell the difference between a 45 year old spine and a 50 year old spine though - people's spines degenerate at different rates.
I think if it was me, I'd be looking for a second opinion.
OP, Mrs P is currently on week 2 of a 4 week programme at guys & St Thomas hospital for chronic pain caused by DDD. It's called "input"
http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/pai...
She's really enjoying it. Not saying that you are at that level yet but worth some research.
http://www.guysandstthomas.nhs.uk/our-services/pai...
She's really enjoying it. Not saying that you are at that level yet but worth some research.
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