In a nutshell, adding fusion on top of lumbar decompression/laminectomy may have no added benefit for those with just radiculopathy (leg nerve) symptoms.
Something to consider if you're being told you need a fusion.
As for me, I continue to do CrossFit and (olympic) lift 3 days a week. In fact, I did my first olympic weightlifting meet, hitting a PR in my clean and jerk (99 kg / 218 lbs)!
I also continue to hit the core work hard:
- front squats
- weighted planks
- dead bugs
- bird dogs
- reverse hypers and GHD hip extensions (being careful to AVOID hyperextension)
Hope everyone is healing or figuring out ways to continue to train while avoiding pain.
Cheers.
#crossfit #weightlifting #spondylolisthesis
I am very interested in speaking with you. I am 34 and just diagnosed with a spondy at L5-S1. I played high level collegiate tennis and have a career as a PE teacher and tennis coach so you can imagine how active I am. Not only that, I have my first baby on the way in a few short weeks.
ReplyDeleteI am very interested in hearing about your trials and tribulations along with the outcomes of your surgery. I have significant but not severe neural femoral narrowing at the moment and just getting the beginnings of the nerve pain and I know it is only going to progress so I want to have a plan and all the information I can to make good decisions. Any chance we can connect?
Best,
Alex
Thanks for visiting and for commenting, Alex. Take a look through my older posts and see if the info is helpful to you. I messaged you on Google+ as well if you want to talk in more detail. Congrats on the baby!
DeleteI didn't get a message. Just send me an email info@alexslezak.com. I would like to talk with you. I am interested in your experience. Thanks Alex
ReplyDeleteHello, last night I took part in a Crossfit taster session and am keen really to continue, but I'm a nervous Spondy with an L5 50% slip (grade 3). What movements would you suggest I avoid? I've told the coaches I should avoid high impact and heavy weights, I see you mentioned toes to bar so should I be wary of this too? Any advice would be great!! Hannah
ReplyDeleteHi Hannah,
DeleteSorry for the delayed reply. That's awesome to hear about your CrossFit taster session - I certainly understand the excitement and the desire to jump in.
I think, for your situation, you need to think about a few things:
1) You need to ascertain whether the slip is "stable" (i.e. no excessive motion in that segment on flexion/extension x-rays) and if your docs are ok with proceeding.
2) You need to spend additional time working on abdominal bracing through ALL movements to ensure that your spine is not moving and that the joints are doing the work. This includes planks, deadbugs, bird dogs, etc. and you might want to use a belt during any weighted movements.
3) In general, assuming you have a stable slip and that you are asymptomatic, you likely can do many movements, including moderate weight loading, as long as they are "category 1" movements, as Kelly Starrett would say. Category 1 movements are those that don't involve dynamic movements w/weights. Category 1 would include Air Squats, Box Squats, Back Squats, Front Squats, Overhead Squats, Deadlifts, Pushups, Ring Pushups, Bench Press, Floor Press, Dip, Ring Dip, Strict-Press, Handstand Pushup, Pull-Ups, Chin-Ups.
I'd probably avoid olympic lifts (snatch, clean and jerk) with anything more than an unloaded barbell in your case since they involve dynamic loading, and kettlebell swings may or may not be OK (they don't tend to bother my back). You might have to try out KB swings and see.
Besides toes-to-bar and situps, I'd also avoid movements that put you in heavy lumbar extension - supermans, hip extensions past parallel, exaggerated kipping (though smaller kipping motion should be fine), etc. since spondy is an extension-sensitive injury.
Hope this helps. Let me know how it goes!
AF
Not sure if your still even active on this blog but I would love to discuss this with you. I'm 27 in the military and recently diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis(discovered after a parachute injury)
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DeleteI just noticed your blogame posts. Very useful info. I have been crossfitting for 3 years. It's fun ( I'm 67)! Your struggle with spondylitis is very similar to mine the last 2 years. I am getting a fusion next week. Your tiPs for rehab, sports and crossfit post-surgery were very helpful. And, encourging.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your comment. I really appreciate the feedback and happy I could help in some small way.
DeleteGood luck with the surgery and the rehab. I'm sure being a Crossfitter will help speed the recovery along. Obviously don't rush into anything too soon, but I'm sure you'll be back to it in due time!
AthleteForever -- thank you so much for this blog. I've read all your articles twice. I'm about to turn 44 and I've been doing Crossfit for over 3.5 years. My MRI shows Grade 1 anterolisthesis, moderate to severe bilateral foraminal narrowing. I have had pain running down my leg to my toes. I'm pretty good when I sit down but standing still for more than a few minutes brings the pain on. I received a steroid injection less than 2 weeks ago, which was helpful in reducing some of the pain, but I can feel it slowly returning. I'm scheduled for another in a week and a half. I'm lost, scared, depressed and Googling the issue seems to make me more so. Your story provides some hope. I would love to be able to contact you as I'm really struggling with this. I hope you're still out there and doing well.
ReplyDeleteHi Dave. Sorry to hear about your situation; it sounds pretty similar to mine. Shoot me a note at sherwooa AT verizon DAHT net and we can get a dialogue going.
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