Running Forward After 50: How I went from an It Band injury to an L4L5 Back Fusion

Yep, you read that correctly, I had back surgery 7.5 weeks ago; and it was all because I sent to see my PT for an IT Band issue.

In my last couple of blogs you know that I was going to a PT for an IT Band issue, and things were going fine. Craig was giving me more and more exercises to correct the strength in my legs to get them to track correctly. My left leg went laterally at the knee, and my right leg went medially at the knee, both causing IT Band pain. He was also working on changing the way my posture was when I was running. The lower back takes a lot of pounding when you run, so the idea is to strengthen it by pushing it out, and getting rid of the “sway” in your lower back. I was to use my core to do that, and round my shoulders while running to help that happen. I was given several core exercises from the day I walked into his office, some of them incorporated a balloon. This would also relieve the tension on my IT Bands at the pelvis – everything is connected.

Shortly after I started PT, I started getting a tingling feeling in my feet, and sometimes it went up the back of my calves. I thought it was a temporary issue, and I didn’t think much about it; but it started to happen more and more, and started to go up my legs even more. When I sat down, it went away. I told Craig about it, and he wasn’t too concern because it was mild, and it was relieved when I sat down. So, he added in more exercises to help this. But, it still got worse. Some days I was fine, other days I wasn’t. So, in addition of the worry of my IT Bands giving me problems while I was running, I started to worry about the tingling, which moved on into numbness. Then I started worrying it would happen when I was running, which it did, and then had to take time out on runs to sit down and let it go away. It was very stressful. It occurred more when I was walking them running, this was because you typically lean forward when you run, so it provided relieve in that position. I continued to go see Craig every week, my It Band issue was doing much better, but the tinging, numbness, and piriformis issue got worse. And I got more and more scared to run, but I kept running; but I was running scared. Craig suggested I take two weeks off of running, and during that time I started to feel different. What I mean by different, is I felt worse.

Well, these two weeks were hard, it became harder and harder, more and more painful to run. My low back and across the hips became very painful, and I became very frustrated and cried a lot. I was struggling, a lot. I continued to run races we had signed up for, but I was running scared. The last ERS race in Louisville I ended up getting an early start and did slow running and walking to finish it. I wanted to finish out the series. Yes, it was painful, but I did it. It continued to get worse. When I went to see Craig again, he suggested it was time to go see a Sports Medicine doctor. I made an appointment.

At this same time, I was told that my mother was getting worse, more work for the Staff at Collinwood, couldn’t transfer, was not toileting herself, and more and more combative. I was told I had to get her into the Hospice program or move her to a full-care facility. What a mess. I was worried and stressed about that, I didn’t want to move her, and my legs were more and more painful. The mornings were the worse, and I finally was just walking, and then stopping to sit, then walking. Running was out of the question, I had also stopped working out at the gym by this time. I just couldn’t do it anymore, even on my good days.

I went to see the Sports medicine doctor in an afternoon that I had been dealing with issues with Mom. When I got there, my BP was so high, he wouldn’t see me and sent me to Urgent Care. I normally have very normal blood pressure. I went to urgent care, they started me on medication to lower my BP. I kept telling everyone that it was stress (Mom and my numbness issue), and the pain. At Urgent Care they took Lumbar Radiographs. The radiographs showed a congenital narrowing of the spine on L4L5. I was hoping they would give me something for my anxiety, but they did not, but the next day I went to see another doctor, because I was urged to by the Hospice people. I was stressed and I had high anxiety. In the meantime, because of what the radiographs showed, an MRI was scheduled. My Mom passed away, and two days after that I had an MRI. The same day as my MRI, the Sports Medicine doctor called me and wanted to see me right away. Friday afternoon, when he was usually off. Dr. Abrahamson went over my MRI. I had a severe stenosis of the spine at L4L5 and my disc was damaged; most of this was congenital. There was too much movement front to back in that joint as well, so I was referred to a neurosurgeon, who I saw the next week.

The neurosurgeon went over my MRI with me and gave me three options 1) injections, 2) cut ligaments in my back, and 3) L4L5 back surgery. He also wanted more radiographs. I had the radiographs that day, and they showed that my back was not stable, with 7mm movement front to back. Surgery was the only option. Surgery was then scheduled for December 30^th at 8am.

On surgery day I had to be at the hospital at 6:30am (on a Saturday) for pre-op, and I was taken into surgery about 8:15am. I was really nervous, but I knew I wanted to be better. When I woke up, I knew I was “better”, but I was in pain from surgery. I spent 2 nights in the hospital getting used to everything I needed to do, had two PT sessions, and practiced walking without a walker. My restrictions are No Lifting, No bending, and No twisting. Basically, I am not allowed to do anything. I can’t do any housework, barnwork, or anything. I also cannot take a shower alone, flush the toilet, dress, get in and out of bed – or anything without help. It was then I knew that is was going to be a really long recovery, both mentally and physically.

Now that it is 7.5 weeks since I had had surgery, I can tell you it hasn’t been easy. I didn’t need much pain medications after about 10 days, and at that point only took them at night (Tramadol and Flexril). Everything was hard to do, it still is, only it’s more frustrating than ever. Tying shoes, putting on pants, getting in and out of bed, etc. The worst has been sleeping. I have some nerve issues at night in my right quad, which feel like “pins and needles”, goes numb, and I getting stabbing pains that keep me awake or wake me up at night. Tonight I am trying a bed wedge to keep my upper body elevated. Just trying things that other have had success with after this surgery.

I started walking after the 3^rd week post surgery, and today was my 32^nd walk on the Dreadmill since surgery. I am up to 3 miles at this point. I don’t like the dreadmill, but I am so thankful I have it. I need an outlet, and I can’t go outside when the weather is bed or there is ice or snow. I am a fall hazard. I cannot fall. I have been on three walks on the cement bike paths in town while Tom goes running. Last week had some really nice weather, and it was great to get outside. The surgeon and the PA said I could walk as much as I want, and “I would know when I have done too much”. This has happened a few times, mostly the days that I had company. There is one or two days a week that I am so down and hate how I am and how I feel. Today is one of those days, I am having extra pain, and the last two days I just feel like crying.

The great news is that I have none of my previous symptoms. I can walk without pain, the buzzing numbness and pain is gone. I am so grateful and thankful. It just been frustrating, and I hate feeling this way. I just have to keep moving forward. I am stuck at home, but get out for movies, CSU Women’s Basketball games, and shopping once a week. Today was my first haircut since before surgery. I have to wait until March 26^th for my 3 month Post-Op check up with radiographs. At that time I will find out if there is enough healing for me to start running again. It is frustrating not knowing how the healing is going, especially on the bad days, like today. It’s frustrating not getting good sleep, but it is common with the surgery. It’s frustrating gaining weight and feeling fat. I read, do puzzles, color, and journal. I have a new journal: Dragon Tree Dreambook and planner. Ebeth suggested I get it. It has been really good for me. I am also doing my own little Bible Study and looking up all the times “donkey” is mentioned in the Bible. So, I walk every day, extending my distance each day. I journal, color, read and build puzzles – and watch the Olympics. I have to learn how to be STILL, be strong, don’t quit. It’s going to be a long process.