Concerns about returning to Sport post-ADR

[Dr_sciatica]

The reason I am doing an ADR is to resume my sports career. However, the more I read the more I seem weary that I will not be able to play again.

I am planning on a single ADR M6-L at the L5/S1 level. MRI's dont show much in terms of mechanical issues. I am quite sure disc leakage is causing my radicular and sciatic problems.

I am very fit and athletic with low BF.

Am I shooting for too much, in terms of realistically returning to a professional sports career. Will the full contact be to much load towards the ADR?

Any input is appreciated

Regards

[ajj1001]

What sport are you wanting to return to?

[Dr_sciatica]

Football or soccer as it is called in the U.S

[ajj1001]

Ah, that does involve the occasional impact. You will find people make a judgement call on what level of risk they are willing to take once the implant is in place. The advise from medics varies from do everything to undertaken only non impact, low risk activities.

[laid up doc]

the problem is that no one really knows FOR SURE what can be done to these implants... and if one does mess up a lumbar ADR, you're looking at a rather risky revision surgery (Alison knows more about that than anyone!).

i have been advised not to play sports w/ any trauma, ever.... i'd say that includes anything w/ reasonable chance of landing on your butt, being tackled, landing awkwardly... as you know, my surgeon was Dr Clavel - a very active guy himself who loves sports.

i don't know what the specific recommendations are after fusion. i say this b/c an American football player named Peyton Manning (one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL) recently had a cervical fusion, and they keep saying he may return. Now, I think that's pure insanity... but it's possible that he was advised to have a fusion instead of ADR b/c of his plans to play football again? i really don't know - his surgeons were a Los Angeles-based father-son team of doctors Robert Watkins III and Robert Watkins IV of the Watkins Spine group in Marina Del Rey, Calif..

obviously playing QB vs soccer and cervical vs lumbar are different variables, but as the article below says- others have retired and a few have returned to play after similar surgeries (see Surgery not a career-ender for NFL players with cervical disk herniation) - but they were all cervical.

here's an article put out soon after his surgery: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2011/writers/will_carroll/09/08/peyton-manning/index.html.

TO ME - it's not worth the risk, and a surgeon who tells you otherwise may well be "blowing smoke up your butt", as we say here in the American South... ie, telling you what you want to hear to get your business. in my own line of work - i will have to adapt some of what i do, but can return.... but it's a totally different thing, i can be a doctor until retirement age.

[Fuzzy]

Don't play soccer after ADR. That little thing called aDR will take a lot of pounding stress. I have read a study somewhere (sorry no link to actual data) that said that the failure rate in ADRs was clearly related due to premature wear caused by heavy physical activity.
When ever I take a chance and do something a little more then normal I get a very severe pain episode that lasts for several weeks and puts me down and on a cane.And then more weeks of recovery. I do not know whether this has to do with the ADR pinching something or if that borderline level above is acting up. I was adviced to be very careful after the ADR surgery and not to take chances ....soccer sounds way out of line, sorry for the bad news. These surgeries are meant for reducing pain. Once you archieve this you do not want to go back, ever!

[Dr_sciatica]

Don't play soccer after ADR. That little thing called aDR will take a lot of pounding stress. I have read a study somewhere (sorry no link to actual data) that said that the failure rate in ADRs was clearly related due to premature wear caused by heavy physical activity.
When ever I take a chance and do something a little more then normal I get a very severe pain episode that lasts for several weeks and puts me down and on a cane.And then more weeks of recovery. I do not know whether this has to do with the ADR pinching something or if that borderline level above is acting up. I was adviced to be very careful after the ADR surgery and not to take chances ....soccer sounds way out of line, sorry for the bad news. These surgeries are meant for reducing pain. Once you archieve this you do not want to go back, ever!

Yikes....Thanks for the honesty

I have spent the last 10 years of my life competing at a high level. It will be very difficult to leave the game... But I have to be mature and realistic.

Obviously if it does not work out I will have to give up my career and dreams. But that just means I will find a new one within my self.

BUT, its not over yet....

[laid up doc]

unless your soccer career will leave you set for life (which a long enough NFL career can do)... you have to look at the rest of your life. even i have had to take a long look at my own career - luckily though, the vaaaast majority of what i do - walking all over the place! - is good for the spine. i just have to be smart about lifting - which is part of my job, but not usually heavy and never repetitive or "hard labor". that's why i went to med school!!

[Genn]

I have the same concerns re: Returning to Sports- Post-ADR ...

As Alison mentioned, people do make a judgement call on the level of risk involved in their activity.

My Drs main concern was for me NOT to think of getting pregnant in the first year post-op. I don't have children and couldn't imagine the additional pain of pregnancy...Nor, did I have any plans of wanting to! However, he explained that when patients start to feel better, their views often change.

I gave up my big corporate soul-sucking job to Fly and compete at the national level. At this point, I'm just hoping for a successful surgery. If I am able to take an *occasional* air bath~ dust off my wings~ release some much needed stress..That would be an amazing bonus! I'm trying to stay realistic in risk management. I gave up my team slot a looong time ago!

Like Fuzzy said~ Once you receive a reduction in pain.. you don't want to go back-ever! I couldn't agree more! But, I also know my sanity is "up in the air". ..literally!

Doc~ I was curious of the very same thing with the Drs call on Manning's fusion. I'd love to know if it was sports related or, simply- his best option for successful outcome ?

Wishing you the best, Dr. S! As I hope to find a new balance in life after ADR, as well!

[Dr_sciatica]

My surgery date is pretty much set with clavel, will keep everyone updated.