L3-L4 herniation

Hi to all!

I am a 28 year old female triathlete (or maybe I should say ex-triathlete). I have been unable to train consistently for about two years. My problems started in March 2007 with knee pain, which i trained through:(. I raced two half-Ironman races within two weeks of each other in June 07, after which the pain started becoming worse and worse and I gave it a rest.

I have since been consistently misdiagnosed - my initial symptoms were pain all down the side of the right leg to the knee, and sometimes lower (consistent with L4 radiculopathy, i know now). I was diagnosed with patellofemoral syndrome and finally with ITBS. Was treated with all sorts of therapies by 2 physios, one osteopath and an orthopedic consultant.

Finally, last November (2008) and after I started having tingling as well, a fantastic Sports Doctor/orthopedic surgeon diagnosed me with a disc herniation. Everything was finally explained. However, due to geographical issues I cannot see this doctor again, so we only have phone and email contact.

I started to manage my condition by starting to keep a diary of everything that gave me pain and I was surprised to find even activities such as swimming were aggrevating it. I stopped everything apart from walking and I started doing Pilates again, 20-30 mins every day.

As I started strengthening up I found some activities that i could not do before were now pain free, like power walking, cycling on my MTB and swimming. That alone has changed my quality of life again, and has made me much happier.

However, I still get pain, at the moment about 1 days a week, depending on activity. I still can't sit, especially in the car sometimes as short as 5 mins, sometimes over 20 mins. I know that it is not a priority, but i still cannot run and cannot cycle on my road bike for more than 1 hour. And of course it all depends on the day.

I have a couple of questions:

1. I spoke to my physician about progress and he seems pleased with it. Am I being impatient or should I stick with what I am doing at the moment and hope I continue to get better? He seems to think I will be able to race by the summer - I would be pleased with the ability to sit, go to the cinema and a jog would be an added bonus. How long is too long to wait? I look at other people's cases and they seem to be back after weeks, from a hernaited disc.

My physician seems to think it is because the situation was left untreated for so long, that it has, in a way, consolidated. Is that valid?

2. Would spinal traction help? I had some manual traction by a physio recommended by my physician and it gave me instant relief that lasted a fortnight, however again due to geography I have no access to him. What sort of professional should I be approaching and what treatment should I be getting? Is there manual traction that I can do myself?(or my husband can do on me?)


Sorry for the monster post - I am at my wits end and appreciate any advice.

Alex

hi
as you said that you got relief with manual traction you should continue with that but don't try to it at your home or by your husband. you must go to a physiotherapist near to you and get the traction by him/her or you can get the mechanical traction as well.i think with the mechanical traction you will get relief more faster than the manual traction.
You should also start some stretching exercises. you may start with knee to chest stretch( single-double). which will be very helpful to you.

In the last i will again say that please don't try traction your self or by your husband.

follow only that exercise program at home which will given by your physiotherapist.
if you need any further information feel free to contact me.

best regards
Umer Physio

hi
i agree with the above post.
traction will help you
other treatment options i felt helpful for you
neural mobility exercises-to take care of the pain in the leg
core spinal exercises-to improve the stability of teh spine
mackenzie approach-for centralization of your symptoms.
all these points to the need of consulting a physio skilled in treating musculoskeletal conditions