Influence on the lumbar spine

Herniated discs in the lumbar spine are very common and can also be worse due to the high load that this area has to bear. Not infrequently, the herniated disc is clearly pronounced here and shows symptoms extending into the legs. Patients suffer from tingling due to the herniated disc, sensitivity disorders (numbness) and sometimes, especially under stress, severe pain.

For many patients, especially athletes, this means a longer resting phase to allow the complaints to subside. Herniated discs in the lumbar spine are initially treated conservatively, but because of the high risk of a new prolapse, surgery is often indicated. Jogging after a herniated disc in the lumbar spine is also possible again without problems. According to the cervical spine, the trunk muscles (abdominal muscles / deep back muscles) must be trained especially well to compensate for the weakened disc caused by the herniated disc. Affected people who go jogging again after a herniated disc suffer from the fatigue of the trunk musculature and the resulting complaints in the lumbar region, especially during long runs, but mostly without radiating into the legs.

Treatment

Herniated discs can be treated conservatively very well and can also heal completely. In addition to medication to relieve pain and prevent inflammation, the patient also receives targeted physiotherapy. There he learns exercises by a specialist, which strengthen his back muscles but also abdominal muscles.

The aim is to stabilize the muscles and ligaments of the spine through training and also to avoid a dysbalance between back and abdominal muscles. At the same time, the back is kept flexible, which is good for both the herniated disc and the healing process. For many athletes, including professional athletes, however, a quick start to training is very important, which is why surgery is also an option.

The damaged intervertebral discs can be replaced in an operation by the implantation of a disc prosthesis, which significantly reduces the risk of another prolapse. Basically, a person affected with a cervical disc prosthesis can go jogging again, as these implants can withstand the load very well. The leg of a disc prosthesis of the lumbar spine looks much less favourable. Whether a person affected with a lumbar disc prosthesis can jog again cannot be guaranteed in advance. The extent to which jogging has a negative influence on the durability of a disc prosthesis cannot yet be conclusively assessed.

When is jogging allowed again after the herniated disc?

Athletes want to be able to resume training as quickly as possible after an injury, including after a slipped disc. If the herniated disc is treated conservatively, i.e. without surgery, the patient should first refrain from jogging and take a rest. During this rest phase, it is nevertheless important to maintain the mobility of the spine so that it does not stiffen.

The patient can receive physiotherapy during this time and also after the healing process. Physiotherapy strengthens the back and abdomen, thus increasing the stability of the spine. This often results in an improvement of the symptoms, so that after a rest period of 4 to 6 weeks, training can be resumed.

The training should be started and increased slowly and always be painless. The patient should make sure that there are sufficient breaks of at least one day between training sessions. In addition, he should have good running shoes that cushion the movement well.

Running on soft ground and the correct running technique are also beneficial. Even in patients who received a surgical treatment with a disc prosthesis, most patients were able to resume jogging without complaints. Since the operation requires a longer healing phase and the prosthesis should fit tightly, jogging could be resumed after about three months.