More Injury woes, what should I do?

medwayjon

medwayjon

Tour Winner
Joined
Aug 22, 2007
Messages
4,594
Location
Chatham, Kent.
www.snodhurstcarsales.co.uk
Hi All,

Back from my week in Fuerteventura and what a wonderful holiday it was.

Sadly things got a whole lot worse when I got home however.

Went to the range for a practise and things in my back didnt feel right at all, after about 15 or so shots I was in total agony, a pain square in the middle of my back that got all around the side of my ribs. It was that severe I felt like I was going to throw up. I have a high threshold but today it was untolerable.

Got an emergency docs appointment, explained it all, like how I had to stand bolt-upright and dead still to stop the pain and so on.

Basically, I have had back problems before, my spine was mis-aligned as was my pelvis which was straightened to a good level by my chiropractor.

The docs at the hospital said it is called scoliosis.

Anyhow, the middle of my spine has gone a bit wonky again I have been told, the doc wants to get me into the specialist who will possibly want to do something called fusing (this is what he said would have to happen if it got worse or re-occurred) to my spine to stop further slippage.

What this all means is that I shouldnt be playing golf for a good while apparently, the doc today, and my chiropractor who I rang have said no way whatsoever should I play for a considerable time. They say if I dont and lay off the extremely heavy lifting it will probably be ok after manipulative treatments and long-term resting to play a lot again.

So what do I do?

Carry on with the sport I love, suffer injury, pain and probable surgery or give up golf for an extended period (1 year or so was mentioned) and be gutted.

I dont know.

Just struggling not to be bitter about it.
 
I guess long term health has to come first especially a crucial area like the back. I guess the only constructive caveat I could put on that would be to just play and not practice but still a huge risk. I guess see what the prognosis is (it may not be as bad and may be tissue damage causing some of the pain) and make a decision from there
 
Jon, think of it this way.
Have a rest for a year, recharge your batteries, get the back sorted properly and enjoy your golf for the next 40 years, orrrrrrrr
Risk it, play loads and be in a wheelchair by July, never to walk again. It's a no brainer mate.
You may think....it's a whole year.....
think of it as an extended football season...no time at all.
Good luck mate. I hope it works out for you
 
Gutted for you - but if they say don't play, then don't play! Giving up for, say, a year - however mentally painful it may be - is better than being forced out forever. I'm sure they'd take your advice about a motor, so you take theirs.

But here's hoping it's not as bad - or long duration - as it first seems. Take it easy...
 
Really sorry to hear of your injury and the predicament you're in. I know it's easy for me to sit here and say this, but the decision is quite straightforward when you think of it like this: How long do you think you'll be playing this great game for - 10,20,30 years? How long will you you not be playing and having treatment - ONE YEAR. It's a no brainer mate, your health always comes first.

Hope you don't think that's too harsh,and let us know how you get on.

Golfmmad.
 
Glad you had a great holiday Jon but sorry to hear about your back problems.

I must admit that I have some reservations about chiropractors and would suggest that it might be worth seeing a well recommended osteopath as a 2nd or 3rd opinion before going for the vertebrae fusing option. The hospital doctors might be right but for the sake of having a possible year out I would def go for another opinion.

Good luck on whatever happens.
 
Leftie, I agree, get a second and even a third opinion.

I went to my doctor about my feet. He said I had fallen arches. I asked for a second opinion. He said ok, your fat as well :eek: :eek: :eek:
 
Emotional blackmail time. If you are of a sensitive nature, don't read beyond this point :

Devoted to my family, I love every minute I spend with my wife Dee and my precious little girl Olivia. Spurs fanatic,

If you're a Spurs fan, do you remember that year when Gazza stuffed his leg in the final against Forest ( 1991-92, I think ). He then missed the whole '92-'93 season if I remember.

Big thing at the time. But I for one can barely remember it coz it was such a long time ago.

You're 30 odd. You'll be around to watch your kid grow up, and hopefully your grandkids for the next 50 years plus.

Would they want to see you in a wheelchair ?

Sorry for being a total W(ship's stoppage device) about how I put it, but I don't think you realistically have a choice.

By all means get as many opinions as you can, but err on the side of safety. Please. :o
 
Get some opinions as above, and then make an educated decision. However, health should come first.

Also, whilst I can see that swinging a full shot for a year is a distinct no no while your back heals, I would bet that a few months after the op / fix, you would be able to chip and putt, at which point you can practice your short game like crazy. This would really pay dividends in the long term.
 
Bloody hell Jon!!

I kind of know the feeling, I had a bad back for years and feel a fair amount of pain if I play too much.

Like others have said though, you need to look at the bigger picture, leave the game for a year and come back stronger (and fitter?) and then pick up where you left off....you're still young enough fella!

Then again, you can always get a couple more opinions and see where that gets you, afterall, my osteopath advised me to play golf as my back problems are due to vertebrae siezing up, golf makes me twist my spine which helps me loads.

Whatever you choose to do though dude, keep your chin up.
 
You have my sympathy! Back pain is an absolute nightmare.

I suffered for years with back problems and associated sciatica, each episode was worse then the previous and the frequency and duration of major spasms was increasing with each episode. Eventually had to have a discectomy - basically they took out the centre of the disc.

Had the op in the March and was back in training within 2 months and playing rugby again in the August!

As with any injury, especially one that requires invasive surgery to correct, the rate of recovery will vary from individual to individual, so many factors influence the recovery rate such as general health and fitness, diet, smoking etc.

Get a second opinion from a specialist and see what advice they give, long term health has to be the priority of course, but any timescales given for recovery, either with or without surgery, will be subjective - only you will know if and when you are able to play again.

I hope you are able to get playing again soon and more importantly get long lasting relief from the injury.
 
Spoke to a local Osteopath called Mason who uses the same Private Members Club as me this lunchtime, he said time to stop for a good while.

So for now a temporary goodbye in the large but will still look in on you all.

He said to keep chipping/putting though as it wont cause me any problems which is awesome and means I can get an awesome short game!
 
Had problems with Lower Back for years, it got worse about 8 years ago, when I started Repping, driving, sitting in a car, 30.000 miles a year, well I had to take a year out, 3 years ago, it just got too much, walking of the course after a couple of holes...but the year out helped, as spent time strengthening up the back, I still suffer pain, depending on how many rounds I get in, but its all connected for now.

I take Omega 3 Salmon Oil Plus which is 100%, I use a Inversion Table, keeps the back stretched, now and then, I go to my Chiropractor, touch wood, all ok at moment.

I feel your pain and suffering, relax, forget about golf for a while, even just by doing that, you will feel less stressed, which will help a lot.

Take it easy :)
 
Not good Jon

Take it easy Mate and come back to us when you've recovered. Don't mess with your health - especially backs.
Take care Big Guy!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

N
Neck injury, any ideas for speedy recovery?
Replies
18
Views
2K
IanM
IanM
J
Play More Golf
Replies
11
Views
612
Oddsocks
Oddsocks
A
First time with stranger.......
2
Replies
37
Views
3K
AndrewK
A
H
I completed golf
3 4 5
Replies
99
Views
9K
Orikoru
Orikoru
Slab
What do you drop?
2 3 4
Replies
77
Views
7K
Slime
Slime
Top