As you know, running is an activity that is jarring to all the joints of the body. I would be surprised if your surgeon would want you running prior to developing a strong fusion. I've read six to eight months on some surgeons' lists of post-surgical information.

Could you find an activity that has less impact on the joints, such as riding a bike or an elliptical trainer or stepper? Brisk walking burns calories without the bad effects on the joints.

Thanks for your input, gwennie. I absolutely loathe the bike, the seat really hurts me a lot. It leaves me with a sore butt, lol. I'm going to ask the doc about an elliptical I'm just trying to save $$. We have a treadmill at home that I'd prefer to use, I'd have to reinstate our gym membership to use an elliptical or any other piece of gym equipment. I've been briskly walking and I can go pretty fast, but at that point it gets really old really quickly and I wish I could just run.

My PT had me using an exercise ball to do some core exercises, I'll have to get one of those. *sigh*... it is such a slow process...

I don't have advice about running, but it sounds like you are doing fabulous just 3 months out. My surgery is this Friday and I'm hoping to go back to work after 3 months and this gives me inspiration!

After my first surgery L4-5 decompression 4 years ago both my surgeon and PM really didn't want me running any more. They both have given me many "talks" throughout the years of learning to love "new" types of exercise and I have to admit, there have been many times I have played the game, "what if". What if I hadn't always been so hard on my body....

They are both big advocates on biking, aquatics, eliptical, etc. I took up pilates and yoga, loved what it did for my body ~ the long and lean look, which was totally different then "typical" althletic look. An added bonus was how much it helped my back!

Sounds like you are doing so well and I am so happy for you! I hope you cont to feel well and heal well! Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers. ~ Shari

I was told not to run or do other jarring exercise until after my 6 month exam. They didn't want me doing laps in the pool either. Too much twisting. When I get my xray and exam at 6 months then we will adjust.

I know it seems really slow going sometimes. I walk about 20 miles/week. I'm doing core work now. Like you I'm about 3.5 months out. Fortunately I'm not a big runner so it doesn't bother me. Just means my treadmill serves little purpose. I get bored walking on it and would rather be outside even if the weather is bad.

My PT has put me on their elliptical trainer and wants me doing more time on it. She said that will be my aerobic exercise. So if I want to do it outside PT I need to use one at the gym or buy one. She told me that my treadmill is now for walking. She also told me even after a year and fusing that running would be a bad choice of exercise.

I'm thinking sell the treadmill on Craigslist. Then use that money towards buying an elliptical trainer off Craigslist. Make it more cost effective. Since I'm not sure if I'll get sick of the elliptical or not.

It has already been mentioned here that Running/Jogger creates a lot of jarring at your joints. Even people without spinal problems manytimes wind up with joint problems.

I was never a runner/jogger, so when my doctors told me to stay away from that, it really didn't make a difference to me.

My doctors wanted me to have a no to low impact type of exercise and something that was cardio so you could get your body up and working. The 'choice' of equipment from several doctors and therapists was the elliptical machines.

Treadmills were ok, but even using them on an inclince can create some problems.

But you know that to make this type of decision, you and your doctor have to discuss this. To me, three months post surgery is a very short time period. The last thing you want to do is create any new problems.

I would be interested to hear what your surgeon has to say on this. I am facing possible L4-L5 fusion if my upcoming discogram comes back positive. I kind of hope it does as I am out of options at this point.

I know what you mean about getting bored with walking. And the exercise bike makes my tailbone hurt. I haven't been able to run in 3 years and I feel like such a slow, plodding mule when I am walking (not that I was a fast runner or anything). I would love to think that there is still a possibility that I could go back to it someday...

that you're doing so much better now. Don't know if you remember but we had surgery almost exactly a month apart so we're fairly close in our recovery. I know that my OS told me I could go back to playing softball in the spring - around April or May - and considering it's a pretty tough sport on the body (supposedly not a contact sport but I beg to differ lol). That would be right around the 6 mo mark. HOWEVER...I won't be going back, and completely by my choice. It was an easy decision in that I came to it quickly because I decided the health of the rest of my spine wasn't worth the fun. Emotionally though it was one of the most difficult decisions I have ever made. After playing for 25 yrs, I still can't figure out what in the world I will do that will serve as the social, emotional, and mental outlet that softball was for me.

Anyway, point is I think it's something you have to discuss with your doctor, and weigh the pros and cons carefully. Trust me I know how boring the walking gets....been walking several miles a day for over 3 months. But a weekly hike (usually on a fairly flat trail) is one way I try work a little something different in. Of course right now I'm luck enough to live somewhere it's warm enough for me to do that right now. But maybe there are ways you can at least change things up a bit.

Have you tried interval training? When it comes to the treadmill I've found that interval training not only makes the workout a little more interesting, but it is also a much better workout. Plus when you're focusing on the workout in 3-5 min increments it goes by a lot faster!

I know this post is a little older but wow, the fact that you feel like you could run is amazing.

I am thinking running is out for me (I had microdiscectomy 08/09 and then a revision 3 weeks ago on same level 02/10 at L5-S1). If you have a lumbar fusion, I'd be surprised if running were allowed within the 1st year.

What about aqua running? I know if I went for a fusion, they were going to have me do aqua therapy 3X/week. I know I watched "spirit of the marathon" where the olympic female US marathoner (back in 2005) had an injury so she trained in an aqua pool. It was literally a treadmill in a pool b/c her knee or foot couldn't take the 'beating' of regular running. Maybe it's an option?

How are you doing?

never, ever. Admittedly, I've broken into a jog when I'm trying to get the elevator, etc., but I think going out for a run is something that will never happen for me. I still dream about it -- not that I was a great runner before hand, but I did occasionally enjoy going for a run. I really wish I could. I've also been told no horseback riding, and I'd love to do that.

Linda

HI Nose I wish I could recall the users name here who said she was about where you are now and went running and that night was in major pain. The next day she called her Dr and he flipped about her running !

He told her never ever ever ever again to run - she said it took get use to as she was a former runner, but now she power walks.

Check with your Dr and hopefully the news for you will be what you want to hear

I started running again (stupidly, I admit) at about 2 months post op. My surgeon was a runner so I think he understood my plight a little better than most. Basically, he said if it hurt, stop. And he advised me to stay off the trails and hit the pavement for awhile instead, as I have a tendency to trip over rocks and roots and get spooked by snakes and mountain bikers.

Obviously 2 months out was way way way too early. I ran on and off until about month 6, when it finally hit home that I had had a major surgery and my body needed to recover.

I kept to walking my usual trails, and finally picked up running at about month 14. My form is a little different now -- there is a lot more post run stretching involved, and inevitably the day after a long run is a little achy. I'm nowhere near where I was before in terms of distance or speed -- right now I max out at about 12 miles and am only running 8-9 min miles -- but I figure I got the rest of my life, so I can build up slowly and safely while my body adapts to the pounding.

Interestingly, I can't bike anymore. You'd think that'd be easier on the back b/c there's less impact. But leaning over like that for so long is incredibly painful, so I had to retire my beloved bike. Probably for the best, as I spent most of my time propelling myself into trees anyway. Plus I got myself the most adorable little cruiser-looking Trek I could find, so I can at least ride around town while sitting fairly upright.

I think you just gotta be smart about it. If your body is telling ya to stop, listen.

In July 2006 due to 24/7 level 7 pain, I had underwent minimally invasive L5/S1 TLIF.

I could never run before without having severe cramping in one or both calf muscles before surgery. They'd twist and turn and are as hard as cement, and are excruciatingly painful.

Seventeen months after surgery and with aggressive physical therapy, I was free of back pain. Several accupuncture sessions also helped rejuvenate the nerves in my left leg and buttocks.

My PT said I'll never be able to play golf or run. I was doing all my daily strength & conditioning exercises, stretching and fast walking before and after surgery which I believe helped in my recovery.

Summer of 2009 I was bored of my routine. One day when the weather outside was nice, I started running. About a few blocks later, I suddenly realized I had no calf pain at all!

I starting running longer distances and before long I entered my first 5K race in 2010, my fourth year anniversary of my fusion. On my five-year check up with my surgeon, I told him what I was doing fearing an admonishment.

He said my lower back healed nicely and I looked as fit as ever. As long as I keep up the core strength exercising, daily stretching, and aerobics, running should be okay within reason.

I have since entered a few more 5K races. Weekly, I run daily alternating between 5K & 10K about 21 to 24 miles.

Now, I have added running also on Saturdays. So far, I ran 9.5 miles and 10.0 miles.

Has anyone here run in marathons after lumbar fusion? Have you had any issues or a recurrence of back or leg pain?

I am planning on entering a marathon this coming Spring, and I am a bit worried if I could do it without issues. This could be my one and only marathon. I may stick to half marathons or shorter distances.

Any input will certainly help.