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timd
Oct 12, 2005, 3:50 AM
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Registered: Dec 21, 2003
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Well, here goes:
For the last month I have been in agony with my back. I have had to cancel numerous climbing trips due to the pain. I finally went to the doc and he ordered a 5 view l-spine. Today I got my results back and I have degenerative disc disorder of my L5-S1 and L4-5 as well as Osteoarthritis. My biggest fear is that I won't be able to climb anymore and ice season is coming. Does anyone else have this type of problem? I guess I just need some advice. I'm sure my doctor ( who is a climber by the way) will choose a good treatment plan for me, but I'm still concerned .
Thanx,
Tim
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squierbypetzl
Moderator
Oct 12, 2005, 4:41 AM
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Sorry to hear that. Hope ya get better soon.
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moose_droppings
Oct 12, 2005, 5:57 AM
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Registered: Jun 7, 2005
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I have a degenerated disc at L2, basicaly gone, 20 yrs of concrete did'nt help. 3 years ago doctors wanted to fuse it. i could'nt even walk without crutches to support me upright for a month, slowly getting better. I asked around to others with back problems and most of them i' asked said not to do it, more horror stories than successes. With no surgery, it very slowly got better over the years. Still hurts 24/7/365, but i am mobile and climbing, allways aware of body position, and lifting. My advice (you did ask), take it very gingerly for a year or so, let your back muscles adjust to there new duties. If faced with it, don't opt for surgery.
Sounds like you got a good doctor, i am not , work with him.
Good luck, you got a long row to hoe.
My medic alert wristband says i am alergic to my local ER.
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melancholy
Oct 12, 2005, 7:00 AM
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Registered: Jun 23, 2003
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Are you having any pain radiating down your legs past your knees? Unfortunately, OA doesn't get much better, but staying flexible, active, and taking some NSAIDS (Celebrex if you get stomach problems with taking ibuprofen/motrin) may help. Depending on how serious you are about non-surgical management for back pain, you can try seeing a physiatrist/PM&R specialist (physical medicine and rehabilitation) or at the very least, ask for a referral for physical therapy which may not necessarily take all your pain away, but help provide ways to continue doing the activities you enjoy.
Sometimes surgery can be very helpful, but more often than not, patients tend to think of surgery as a quick fix and many do not get the results they had hoped for, esp. if they were not ideal candidates for surgery.
I'm sure your physician (and a climber at that!) will map everything out for you and give you enough information to make good decisions on taking care of yourself.
As an FYI: in case you happen to smoke, smoking really decreases blood flow and can exacerbate back pain as well as slow bone growth and healing... so it definitely doesn't help with musculoskeletal problems.
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climbingbetty22
Oct 12, 2005, 11:58 AM
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Registered: Dec 29, 2002
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Welcome to getting older! Osteoarthritis, aka degenerative joint disease is part of life and will happen to us all at some point in time. Not much can be done once the process starts. Biggest thing is to keep moblie so as not to worsen the whole thing through a process called immoblization degeneration.
Best thing you can do at this point: co-treat with an MD and chiropractor. The MD can help you with NSAIDs and stuff to help manage the pain. Getting adjusted by the chiropractor will help keep those joints moving to help stave off further degeneration. ANd chiropractic care has been proved to be a safe, effective and cost-effective treatment for low back pain. Email me if you'd like to see the studies.
Hope that helps!
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angelaa
Oct 12, 2005, 2:35 PM
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Registered: May 21, 2003
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A few years back I got the privilege of seeing an amazing Moab climber on PotAsS road! This guy was +or-50 yrs old and had very progressive degenerative disc disorder (the guys he was climbing with us filled us in)
He was so hunched over he couldn't even look at his hands when they were over his head.
But DAMN he could climb! We saw him breeze his way up a 5.11+ hand crack like he was dancin' on air, honestly it was one of the most beautiful examples of climbing I had ever seen.
My friends and I were in awe!
So . . this will only stop you if you let it!
Keep climbing man and you'll adapt!
Good luck man ! and Keep climbing! :D
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tgreene
Oct 12, 2005, 2:45 PM
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Registered: Oct 22, 2003
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I have degenerative vertebrae in my neck... not disks, but VERTEBRAE.
I've known this for close to 8 years now, and there are days when my neck simply dislocates for no reason. When this happens, I'm pretty much immobile for a few days, and often can't even get out of bed.
If my neck goes and I'm unable to get instant medical attention, I could easily be facing paralyzation from the neck down, which would also likely lead to suffication since basically I would at that point have suffered the same injury as Christopher Reeve... I know what the end result will be, and with the progression the way it is, it will come all too soon, thus I've chosen to live life to the fullest as long as I can.
Climb on!
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mccabeman
Oct 12, 2005, 3:46 PM
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Registered: Jul 22, 2005
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I was in an avalanche in the mid-80's and fractured L3, L4, L5. I didn't let them fuse then and I won't now. I live with pain, but I have figured my body out and know how to manage my problem. I run, climb, lift weights and keep up with most people half my age. In all honesty, I'm a better athlete because I have to work harder and have had to learn my body.
I'm not suggesting that everyone should avoid surgery, but I would be darn sure that I was ready for such a radical operation and all the potential down sides.
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