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@efb
In August last year, I suffered an L5/S1 extruded disc. I think I have been 'lucky' in one way, the excruciating pain subsided fairly quickly and now I'm pretty much OK in the back, I get the odd ache, but it's manageable.
However, my remaining issue is nerve damage. During the day last year when pain peaked, I experienced increasing pins and needles and numbness, primarily in my left foot, but also in my calf and hamstring area.
Over time there's been a definite improvement, it used to feel extremely tight and I had significant loss of strength. However, these improvements were over the first 3 months, not so much since. I can still ride my bike, but I fatigue quickly and I'm weak on hills and sprinting.
I've been told by a neurologist and spine consultant that it's a case of waiting 9 months to 1 year and nerves may recover..or they may not. If not, I'll never cycle again in the same (admittedly average) capacity. It's also very uncomfortable to walk without shoes, particularly on cold, hard surfaces.
Perhaps this can serve as a warning, I wasn't previously aware that back issues could lead to semi permanent or permanent nerve damage.
The physios and consultants I've seen have been through my work health scheme so maybe not surprising that they are only really interested in getting you pain free, not back to how you were previously in terms of fitness.
So my problem is that I don't know who to turn to for help now, whether I can speed/aid recovery or whether it is a case of fingers crossed, wait and see. Web searches bring up very little.
So I was really wondering if anyone else had experience of this? Did you recover? Has anyone had success with any nerve recovery methods?