Exercise after a microdiscectomy (back surgery) besides walking?

AlyssaPetsDogs

Hi everyone!

I am 7 days post op from a left hemilaminectomy/microdiscectomy at L4/L5 (pretty much shaving off part of the bone and disc for a herniated disc).

Obviously I am still healing right now and can only walk. I'm just wondering if anyone has had the surgery and is now back to doing other exercises.

Before I herniated the disc, I liked running, lifting, indoor cycling, and various cardio and ab exercises (I even liked crunches and bicycles!). Now that I have the surgery and am restricted from bending, lifting, and twisting for the time being and likely need to be careful to protect the other two bulging discs I have and future degenerative disc disease issues, I am worried I will be stuck with just walking for the rest of my life. I'm 24 so I have kind of a long life ahead of me and need to not kill my spine.

Has anyone had the surgery or similar procedures and found other ways to exercise? Really all I can think of doing right now is walking.

I plan to ask my surgeon about this when I see him and I will eventually be back in physical therapy, but I'm wondering if there is hope for some carieryb

Thanks in advance!

kavahni

I have not had this surgery, but I would suggest you ask your surgeon about deep water walking. It may not be stable enough, but if it's approved, you'll get great benefit. It feels like you aren't doing anything, but it is a great workout.

Good luck with your recovery.

sugaraddict4321

First advice: Take it easy. You're only 7 days post-op. Give your body a rest. :flowerforyou:

It's been years since I had the same surgery, but I recall walking and gentle swimming were the only things allowed for a while. Swimming is great because the water supports your body and that helps the squashed discs. Gentle swimming (for me) meant slow freestyle and breaststroke. Not backstroke or butterfly.

Early on I had to stop bendy yoga, but stretching was fine and no heavy lifting. After about 2 or 3 months, I had physical therapy. We worked a lot on my core, because a strong core helps a strong back. We also worked on re-training my gait, because I'd walked lopsided for so long due to the disc bulging.

Several years on I can do just about any activity I want, but I still have to be careful with twisting and bending/twisting. A lot of kettlebell exercises are not allowed, and side-zip dresses and pants are out.

Good luck with your recovery!