Looking for some help from anyone who has had back surgery, or anyone familier with back problems. I pretty much am, or was at the peak of my career, just qualified N.P.C. Nationals, over 40, in N.C. Competing for 7 years. I Just had emergency back surgery to my L3 disc, it ruptured, sheered right from the vertabra, and crushed my nerve. It has been a rough time for me I was laid up a long time. I lost a total of 25 lbs. I am trying to get it all back together, mentally, physically, I was just wondering if anyone had any words of wisdom or had a comeback after something like this?

I can sympathize with your problem. I also suffered a back injury (MUCH less severe than yours), 2 torn discs at L4/L5. Pretty much a chronic injury from years of abuse. I kept pushing on the exercises that bothered it, resulting in frequent re-injury, until last year when it finally went out altogether and laid me up in the hospital for a few days. I got REAL lucky that it wasn't worse. I've basically had to give up any exercise that bothered it previously (namely squats, barbell rows, and any form of deadlift). I've gotten along by paying meticulous attention to my lifting form, and frequent visits to a chiropractor. In fact, I haven't had a problem working out since last Novebmer, but have injured it doing household chores and stuff (just not paying attention to good lifting mechanics outside of the gym). If you can, consult with a sports oriented physician regarding your new training program, drop the exercises that bother your back, and press on with the exercises you can do.

Wolfie, Thanks for your reply. They are some good words of advice. I know exactally what you mean about proper, and meticulous form. I just started back doing a few lite workouts in the gym and I have been so paranoid of an injury I have to be so focused on my form it isn't funny. I'm kind of looking at it like you said and figure I can work around things like you do.You should be careful of yours because I always had a problem with L4 , L5 and it ended up being L3 rupturing on me I think alot because the weakness on those two discs put more stress on L3.