10 weeks post op, Atrophy and weakness not yet improving??

**thumoeides** · 05-18-2010, 08:22 PM

There is an argument to the effect that running does benefit one's discs. It keeps them moving and so lubricated since they have no blood supply of their own.

I also wonder whether your arguments apply to the cervical spine as well as the lumbar spine.

**Cindylou** · 05-18-2010, 11:08 PM

Before all my back problems started, back in the day when it was only my "one bum knee," every orthopedic doc I saw told me to stop running....too much impact on my very arthritic knee. (I took a bad fall skiing in college on a black diamond, my last day, last run, natch....had to have mcl repair and most meniscus removed in Utah where I was skiing.) The only doc who told me I could still run was a runner himself. I took the advice of the ones who said to stop. It just plain hurt too damn much to run on it and it made sense, all that pounding just couldn't be good. Just my own 2 cents.

**thumoeides** · 05-18-2010, 11:41 PM

I would certainly agree that if it hurts, stop. If anything causes pain then stop--don't even wait until there is too much pain.

But I am more concerned with the question what to do when it does not hurt? What to do when it feels quite good?

Quit anyway because all that pounding can't be good? Quit anyway because running contributes to DDD?

**Cindylou** · 05-19-2010, 12:39 AM

That's the million dollar question. No doubt, thumoeides. I would like to use the old addage....all things in moderation, however, it just seems like some of us were born to play harder with our bodies through out the years. We just can't help ourselves....it's how we're wired. We never knew what "sit still" meant. But, the sad fact is, the piper always has to be paid. Now, not all of us with spine injuries have had traumatic accidents to contribute to our demise. Sometimes, it's just DDD, plain and simple and the aging factor. But, I would venture to say if it feels good, by all means, do what you love. Who wants to live in a glass house? Not me. Life is for living.

**thumoeides** · 05-19-2010, 08:06 AM

Well of course the reason not to do what causes pain is because pain is a sign of damage. Spine damage is far from the only problem that can be caused by exercising improperly, whether that means too much or with the wrong form or while ignoring an injury. People who are obsessive about exercise, or anything else for that matter, and so ignore the limits will doubtless suffer damage.

But surely exercising the right amount with the right form relative to one's own limits is good. Isn't there a piper to be paid for those who sit still?

As I understand it 50% of all human beings have DDD by the 40th decade, and 95% of all humans have DDD by the 60th decade. For most it is asymptomatic. But if that is true, it seems anyone running in their 40s is playing odds that only get worse as one gets older.

Which is what leads me back to the question whether the argument that running is good for DDD is just nonsense? All that pounding is necessarily bad for everyone?

**Cindylou** · 05-19-2010, 08:46 AM

Isn't there a piper to be paid for those who sit still? Exactly! I'd like to think so, but then I've been living with a man, hubby, for over 20 years who has hardly exercised a day in his life, and has not one pain in his body. Unbelievable. But then I joke with him that it will be the silent killers that take him when his day is up! haha

We're kinda sick that way with our humor.

I have a son who is an elite athlete: triatholons, marathons, half iron-man's, full iron-man's. Just missed the cut for Bejing Olympics. (rower, at the time) I so worry about all the pounding he may face down the road, even though he cross-trains. But try telling a 20 something that they are doing something excessive with exercise. To him, he's in nirvana, at the top of his game. Only time will tell what demons he may face with all this pounding, but I can't see him doing anything else. This is his passion. :thumpup:

**thumoeides** · 05-19-2010, 09:31 AM

The piper can be very patient.

But I keep wondering, could all that pounding be good? Might it keep the joints, and the spine, well lubricated from the motion and so prevent, or at least ameliorate, DDD and osteoarthritis?

**Cindylou** · 05-19-2010, 09:48 AM

Originally Posted by thumoeides

the piper can be very patient.

bingo!

**Katie** · 05-19-2010, 02:37 PM

Life just doesn't seem fair at times. I have a sister-in-law who is a fitness instructor, and past national level figure skater. She just got back from Afghanistan where she was giving hard core fitness training to the troops, eight to ten hours a day. I don't think anyone could be leaner or meaner looking after six months of that.

She is beating her body up much more than I ever did, and she has not one rotten ache in her body, other than a few sore muscles

I guess her body is much more patient than mine, and she is only a few years younger. While it's not right, I get frustrated every time we're together, as I have the feeling that she thinks I'm over exaggerating my pain. I guess you can't understand when you've never experienced a serious pain in your life.

But like horses, conformation plays a big role in how sound we stay. With my poorly put together skeleton, I would have ended up at the glue factory a long time ago if I had four legs instead of two

**KanRunMo** · 05-21-2010, 12:16 PM

I certainly understand the "why me" question. I have friends who do the opposite of all suggestions from medical advisors, i.e. one does not eat anything all day until supper/dinner time and then eats very fatty foods like steak, fries, gravy etc. She doesn't do any cardio. But she is thin, very active, is mentally acute etc. I've tried to follow all the best medical advice and yet I've had several health problems as well as back problems. It's OK to wonder but keep up the positive outlook too.