Lagging body due to injury (pics, ewh)

AverageUkDude

I'm coming here for your opinions, so about 9/10 months ago I herniated a disc in my lower back (wasn't due to lifting, due to a stupid drunken dare) now because of this my phsyio had me deadlifting a max of 60kg and squatting only the bar, plus of course lots of mobility work, stretching, foam rolling etc.

Ive been allowed for around 1/2 months to start raising my squats and deadlifts after I assessed my max's with her for form breakdowns etc and now im allowed to progress from what I was doing but only at a rate of 2.5lbs a week. Short story is, I think my legs are seriously chikenfied, and it bothers me. Also im sticking up pictures for general critique on what else might need some more work, because you know do i even lift bro?

Ive been running a recomp for a total of about a year now, on jason db's 5x5 (as well as i could)

I would like to start cutting (holiday coming up), im currently sat at around 184lbs at 5'10. Im just concerned that with cutting I will not pack any muscle on my legs and possibly make the problem worse?

Any general advice on how to handle this would be awesome.

Where I started, little over a year ago at 190lbs, skinny fat down from 223lbs:



Current pics (tried not to flex so you can see where I am normal) today 184lbs:

Front:



Back:



Thanks!

SideSteel

Just based strictly on the pics I think you would do just fine cutting. I don't think you're significantly disproportionate.

Sarauk2sf

^^agreed.

ironanimal

If hypertrophy is your concern with your legs, have you discussed integrating leg extensions, leg curls etc, perhaps even needing to wear a belt for safety's sake?

That said, there is some development in your legs already and IMO, a cut would probably help emphasise what you DO have.

selinafzr

Your legs look fine to me sir! Understand your concern though as I too have a herniated disk, plus drop foot which affects my balance so have neglected my lower body, compounded by being apple shaped with skinny legs naturally.

However last few weeks got my courage up and started to focus on legs / butt more and am pleased to report am just starting to see (oh and feel....) the results. There's a couple of threads on here for replacements for traditional squats for that I found helpful

Good luck and great results already by the way.

Sarauk2sf

Locking so we can track active threads better. Please feel free to PM either myself or SideSteel if you have further questions, and include a link to this thread, and we will unlock it so you can pose them.