broke my L5 years ago?

[Misery13]

I guess years ago I chipped a good chunck of my L5 off and it then rehealed itself...which has cause me much pain over the past 5-6 years...(I'm assuming that I had done it fast roping into an objective in Afghanistan...that is the only thing that my doctor and I have agreed that could have caused such damge to begin with) so when I'm able to I go to PT to rehab it and I've been taking it easy in the gym with certain excercies that cause me discomfort...so yesturday I tried to squat and I did 3 reps with the bar...ok...3 reps with 135lbs...ok...put 225lbs on the bar...started to drop down and I had instant pain in my lower back...my leg are shrinking and getting weak...I love to do squats but I can't...what is a good leg routine? or what are your suggestions...


5ft 6in
210-220lbs
33yrs old
been training since 1994

off cycle and not taking any pain meds

[Misery13]

wow...nothing huh...

[Lil_bodybuilder]

Have you tried machine leg press and leg extentions? That should take strain off.

[Big]

Have you considered surgery if it is an option in your case? I damaged my L5 in a motorcycle accident, some bone fragments were causing pain upon certain movements and my legs would give out on certain movements. I did not want surgery, but one day in a cafeteria I was standing up with a tray of food and hit a bad spot and my legs gave out and I went down like a rag doll. I opted for the surgery to remove the fragments, and I am 100%. Recovery was actually pretty smooth and didn't take as long as I expected.

[yannick35]

What i am going to say to you might not please you but its the truth. I injured my back 8 years ago, my disc are all ok but my tendons and ligaments are still weak, I have done 1 year of prolotherapy treatment and still doing the treatment today, i still get subluxations when i train.

I have given up on squats and deadlifts because many people will say they are ok but the truth is that they compress the disc of the spine a lot.

Bodyweight squats are ok, but you might want to look into some bodyweight exercises at some point if you are able to do them.

I have changed my training, yeah i have lost a lot of size and definition but at some point we need to stay injury free, and not get more injured then we already are.

[Misery13]

cool thank you everyone...I'm going to talk to my PT to see if surgery is the option or just rehab...he has not ever told me to stop training but I have modified it alot and now I've lost 22lbs and it sucks...

[Misery13]

I was told last friday that I have stress fractures in my L5 and it hurts like nobodys business...now I'm very limited my workouts I had a MRI done on tuesday and will find out on wednesday what my options are...

[CMonkey]

That sucks bro, at least now you know exactly what is wrong and you can start the road to recovery. Good Luck

[BEER WHORE]

I have l5-s1 damage also it sucks my left leg is weak in tingle and is numb on the best days and is so painful I cant get out of bed for days on the worst.

[BEER WHORE]

Have you considered surgery if it is an option in your case? I damaged my L5 in a motorcycle accident, some bone fragments were causing pain upon certain movements and my legs would give out on certain movements. I did not want surgery, but one day in a cafeteria I was standing up with a tray of food and hit a bad spot and my legs gave out and I went down like a rag doll. I opted for the surgery to remove the fragments, and I am 100%. Recovery was actually pretty smooth and didn't take as long as I expected.

Big was yyour disc leaking at all

[Big]

bulging but not leaking.

[BEER WHORE]

thats good mine has leaked on a nerve

[Misery13]

My l3-l4-l5 are pressing on nerves that are causing me my back and groin pain...so I got an epidural on wednesday...I feel great today...I hope lasts awhile...