L4-L5 slipped disc can i still practise my sport? :(

i have this L4-L5 lumbar disc bulge. i got it from lifting heavy things the wrong way, probably two years ago. i have undergone therapy and traction for a month or two and after, i took a nerve test. my doctor said i was already okay even though i still felt some back pain that radiates to my right leg. after, say, 8-10 months, i felt great. i could lift, run, and do other things that i could not do before because of my terrible, terrible back pain that radiates to my right leg. but of course, i dont push myself to the limit. currently, i am practising judo and would want to further practice brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj). btw, i was an athlete before i had slipped disc. i feel that i have the physical strength to do judo and bjj but my concern is, will my back be able to stand it? bacause i noticed during my judo matches, although i know i am strong enough, there's something that limits me to use all my strength. and that would be my slipped disc. i might put too much pressure on it if i use a lot of strength during matches and training. i was wondering if there's something i could do about it. my doctor said that slipped disc wont go back to normal. my body just gets used to the pain and adjust. i was thinking, maybe there's some sort of medical exercise, theraphy, or whatever that could allow me to...strengthen my back muscles so that i would not put too much pressure on it as i use my strength. i know this might be a "light" problem compared to what others are goin through, but for an athlete who suddenly became "uselss" in his/her field of sport... this means a lot... please help or give advices... thank you very much..! i take my judo and brazilian jiu jitsu VERY SERIOUSLY but i take my health and my life even more. thank you, thank you very much!

(cleaned this up so it was easier to read)

Post Edited By Moderator (Chutz) : 3/9/2009 11:44:58 PM (GMT-6)

I also welcome you to the forum. I think you need to ask your doctors and other treatment providers (like physical therapists) the question you're posing here, as we're not doctors. That being said, I took jui jitsu in college many years ago. Even though it's a controlled sport, the throws and the falls are high risk to your spine. I would say you continue in a sport like that at a very high risk to doing more damage over time, and possibly ending up in serious pain that nothing will cure.

PaLady

thank you for the warm welcome.

actually, i dont have back pain anymore. it took more or less 8-10 months before my back pain that radiates to my right leg was gone. i do the exercises my physical therapist told me to do (back strengthening exercises) everyday.

but my concern is, will it be possible for me to continue pursuing brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) with lesser risk for spine injuries despite my condition? maybe there's something that could somehow "immune" my back from the shock of the throws and the force of lifting opponent that we do in judo and brazilian jiu-jitsu. perhaps it could improve my back as if i did not have L4-L5 herniated disc bulge.

i am very much serious and passionate about this sport (brazilian jiu-jitsu and judo). however, though my heart wants to continue in this path, i should take my physical condition into consideration.

i will soon ask my doctor about my situation. i really appreciate your advices and encouragement. thank you very much!

Guitargod,
My opnion - and it's just that - is that you will put yourself at higher risk now that you already know you have a weak spot in your spine. That said, it's your passion so it's up to you about taking the risk. I'd suggest consulting a couple of doctors (like a first and second opinion) who specialize in sports medicine and orthopoedics, and maybe even a neurologist. Show them any tests you've had, etc., and tell them specifically what your sport involves, and see what they say. I'm not sure how old you are, but of course with age comes some degenerative changes including in the spine. Seek a lot of credible opinions and make an informed decision for your life.

Good luck!

PaLady

Core exercises are to strengthen the middle of the body so that your muscles around the spine are stronger.

Sit ups or partial sit ups are some to start but only if you do not have pain. You can learn more by searching for core exercises on the net.

Omega :o)

PAlady,

thank you for the reply. i really appreciate it. i am just 18 yrs old (young ?). i was 16 when i got this disc bulge. actually, my parents told me never again to engage in spots such as judo and brazilian jiu jitsu. but i could not help it... :(

i felt that i am still strong enough to continue with these sports so i did. and i won matches.
however, as i level up, my opponents also increase in strength and skill. i really, really agree with you and Scarred_for_life that i think about my condition very well... seek a couple of good doctors' advices...

i guess i really have to tell my parents about this...

Scarred_for_life,
you're right... even my friends tell me that...
a sport worth a life does not exist....

thank you very, very much...

but please understand my passion about it... it's hard for a young (and strong, i guess) individual to just give it up like that....

thank you very much for the replies... thank you, thank you...

i'll keep you guys updated.

hey guys,

i just want to update you about my condition.

i already talked to my orthopaedic surgeon. he said that i was really doing great. he did some physical tests on me and said that i was really a lot better than before. he said that the protrusion in my L4-L5 disc may have shrinken.

about my judo, his only disclaimer was the throws. i can only throw during trainings but i cannot be thrown. well, that's a lot better than totally "no, you cant do that sport anymore."

i guess i just have to shift from judo to brazilian/gracie jiu jitsu, since that martial art/sport focuses on groundfighting, not so much with the throws.

and i also do swimming which had greatly helped my disc improve. and also those back and core strengthening exercises i do.

so, i just have to undergo another MRI for peace of mind. i just want to encourage all of you who are going through tough times. especially when you're aon the climax of the "pain-time" because of this disc problems that we have.

just hold on. think positively that you can and WILL make it through.

even though your current situation painfully dictates otherwise, HOLD STILL. i understand coz somehow, i'v been there.

believe in your heart that you will get better.

i never thought that i could do judo and other sports. i had a TERRIBLE TERRIBLE DEBILITATING BACK PAIN three years ago. but i kept my faith.

and yes, IT TAKES SOMETIME. but the thing is, we have to keep our positive spirit alive. because sometimes, that's all we have. and many times, it's worth it.

dont allow depression to eat you alive. there's always hope as long as we're breathing.

just have faith. WE WILL SEE IT THROUGH.

thank you for everyone who encouraged me.

"faith is the confidence in things hoped for,

the evidence of things unseen."

_hebrews 11:1

Hi there sugreevbali...welcome to the boards...

You are posting in a thread that is years old and the person to whom you are writing to hasn't been here since 2009.

To get more people to see your post...it's best to copy/paste it and start your own new thread. You can click on the button on the upper left hand corner that reads Post New Topic.

There aren't any medical professionals on this site...just other pain patients like yourself but we are happy to offer empathy, support, and suggestions on what to ask your Dr. about when you see them next..