[Despair] Docs say I can never play basketball again

I've had a fusion of my L-5/S-1 vertebrae. Trust me... you don't want to do that. Not if you can avoid it. Sorry for your catastrophe at your age. I was middle-aged when a fool ran a red light, leading to my problems. I had many years of pure, unadulterated fun. Having this happen at 21 is a bummer. You should be aware, however, that a 21 year old body will heal much more readily than a middle-aged one, and more quickly. Perhaps you can recover from this, with proper care. You should consider a second opinion from a specialist, one who is an MD. I have nothing at all against chiropractors, but don't go by what one says in this kind of injury. In my opinion.

 

That sucks man. Take up bodybuilding. It's very therapuetic.

 

That's tough dude. That kinda thing is one of my ultimate fears. I'm sure you can find other passions if you haven't already..but to get a physical workout, time to turn to a new sport. Tennis? Slow pitch softball? Golf (if that's not too much torque on the back)... maybe some recreational volleyball.

 

Don't forget swimming and biking. Those should be okay, right?

 

I kinda know how you feel, When i Played basketbal i Played at the highest level in the netherlands(And yes that is not that good). I Had to make a disision about going to The USA to see how far i could go in Basketbal.

However i had surgury twice on my knees(the second time when i was 17), Before the first surgury they told me i might never play sport again(i was 16 at the time). Luckily the surgury went ok. And i could play sports. Unfortunatly i played to much to soon, so therefor i really messed my knees up. and i needed the second surgury.

But since my knees are bad, i cannot play basketbal at the normal level i used to. I cannot even play the highest level in the netherlands. So now i play in my hometown, at a low level. (luckily i play with my friends, so it is ok).

I feel for you man. Be carefull with your back, because if you mess it up even more there are a lot of other things you cannot do anymore

 

Take up bodybuilding. Your boredom and despair will evolve into narcissism.

 

I could never play basketball in the first place.

 

Badminton??? Seriously, I think you should take it easy for 2 years and then check your back out again. You might be playing Basketball again by the time you are 24.

 

You have much in comparison with the great ones.

You play like Iverson.... and cop injuries like McGrady...

seriously though man look after it and throw yourself into something else. When your older you want to be able to muck around with, and piggy back your kids...

who you can then turn into basketball freaks and then you get to live vicariously through them.

 

Ug, stay away from chiropractors unless they are medical doctors that went and studied at a serious school to learn the practice. These guys basically going to junior college for a couple of years and sticking 'Dr' in front of their names is annoying to say the least. Plus they are just basically doing the same thing as cracking your knuckles. You could come back an 30 minutes later (or less) and the same area would 'release' (pop) again just like any joint in your body.

 

Agreed.

I used to see this chiropractor regularly throughout high school who would crack my back (my spine used to get somewhat out of alignment due to a childhood accident) in a few different directions and send me on my way. No suggested exercises, nothing. It would feel good for a few days but soon tighten up again.

eventually i said screw this... took up weights to strengthen my supporting muscles and stretched religiously.

back problem solved.

 

This is where it is at -- strengthen the back muscles, stretch, and incorporate deep tissue massage.

 

I agree that there are some good chiropracters, but do not go to them on a regular basis. Save your money.

I would suggest a PT referral from your primary doc. They can help you strengthen and reduce the amount of pain you might be feeling. In addition (thinking long term) you want to reduce the amount of damage you do to the area and reduce the potential for osteoarthritis.

 

It sucks to not be able to go full-tilt on the b-ball court in your 20's. But you know what sucks more? Being hunched over, in agony, and almost immobile in your 30's. Trust me: I've seen what traumatic back injury can do to a person. It's miserable. I know it's hard, but you've got to do what the docs tell you.

 

I feel your pain (in a different way). At 22 I was told I should stop playing basketball because of my knees (the problems had actually stared when I was 15). I was also told running wasn't good either. I continued playing for a little bit but it was too uncomfortable and as everyone knows if your legs (knees) get weak while playing, your shot goes. I will still play from time to time but I am a disgrace to my 14-19 year old self.

I still run from time to time but my pace is slower and I have a longer recovery time. Cylcing is fine and I do that the most.

 

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I feel you bro I have a herniated disk in my l4 -l5 hitting the nerves already
and l5-s1 is getting there and I'm 25 yrs old.. I avoided the chiropractors for a lot off negative feedback from doctors from the the hospitals i work at. Believe me everyone has bulging disks in there spine but it only cuases promblems when it hits the nerves. I've been in a wreck back in christmas eve 2000 by drunk driver that hit me and ran. That cost me the chance to go into the army in january 10 2001 for Airborne Rangers,, talking about a let down son.. fast foward to the present i just got use to living with the pain and spasms. but i would recommend to go see a nuerosurgeon who study the spine and brain for an additional 9 yrs after med school than an orthopedic who had and overview for 2 yrs. Also check this out bro..
http://www.laserspineinstitute.com/spine_herniated_disc3.aspx

My friend had this done 1 yr ago and he is 100% again...
He lived with three herniated disk in his lower back for 10yrs. since he was 17 yrs old. He was a power lifter squatting 350 lbs and up.. He developed the herniated disks from lifting weights. He lived with pain as long as he could then tried this 1 hr or less outpt. surgery. 3 wks recovery and he is back working in x ray again. But he only had 1 disk worked on for his choice only.