So, I crashed and tore an annular ligament in my lower back (at least that is the sports doc's diagnosis, no MRI or x-ray was done).

It's tender, there is some discomfort and inflammation in the lower back upper butt area. A few times a day, there is a sharp pain when I twist or turn the wrong way. I've been on steroids and vitamin I.

So, I'm looking for input from anyone who knows about these injuries. How long should I wait to ride again? How long does it take to heal? etc., etc.

The doc said "three months until you're back to your normal level of activity." He said take it easy until then, but I want to slowly get going again on the bike. It's been eight days now, and I haven't done squat except ice my back and watch TV. I think sitting actually makes it worse.

Thanks.

I got a lower lumbar strain (essentially a tear) back in early June, and have not been able to do much since then. When it first happened (from too much biking/golfing), the doc also told me to a few weeks until I Can be active again, I'm finding out that was really 3-4 weeks before I could do normal things without excruciating pain (showering, sitting, standing, walking), but I have not regained full flexibility yet and still have some inflammation right now. It's looking like it will be another 3-4 weeks before I will be back at athletic functioning.

So I guess short of it is that back injuries, even if they seem mild, can take a long time to heal, so don't rush it, or you'll risk permanent chronic injury. For the first few weeks It was horribly painful to sit/stand transition, walk, drive, etc. (Mainly due to inflammation and tightness). Take lots of advil/anti inflammatories and do some stretching (as long as it doesn't hurt), other than that just go for walks and relax and wait for the injury to heal, which could be anywhere from 2-3 weeks to 2-3 months or longer.

I'm not a doctor and don't even play one...but if I was in your situation I would ask for a referral to Neuro and and get a MRI....ASAP....unless your Doc has MRI vision (not Xray vision)

Mike has some good advice, but I would be careful on what pills you take. Advil would work, but Ibuprofen would just exasperate the problem... can't remember anything about Tylenol. Bottom line is that you want to make sure that if you choose to take meds, they are the right kind.
I only posted this b/c a few years ago I though all the otc meds were virtually the same, just marketed differently. Just didn't want the OP to make my same mistake

Uhh. advil is Ibuprofen...

I think you really need to get more info from your doctor rather than the peanut gallery here on BF since every person is different.

FWIW, it is difficult to make the assessment of a herniated disk or disk tear without doing an MRI. However, regardless, the treatment initially is relatively conservative, using NSAIDs (Anti-inflammatories) (and yes Ibuprofen=Advil), stretching and physical therapy. In the acute setting, I would take the meds as he directs and I would also ask him what his thoughts about sending you to physical therapy would be. I would personally recommend physical therapy and soon as you are up to the task, go back to biking, slowly at first. However, listening to your body is the key. do not ignore back pain while you're rehabing.

Luckily biking isn't as bad for your back as running and other athletic sports. I would say that you might be able to get back within 1-3 months depending on how bad your symptoms are, sooner if it is more of a muscle problem rather than a disk problem.

So the short answer is: it depends on how long it will take for you to get back in the saddle.

Joe

Early July is a good time to have to be laying around watching tv.

I stand corrected. Looks like I should have paid more attention in class... sorry about that all.

Not a doc and I don't play one:

I've suffered a compressioin fracture of L1, herniation of Disks L1/L2 and L2/L3, spinal stinosis(sp?) of L1, and microdiscectomy of disk L1/L2. An L1/L2 fusion is in my future.

"Sitting" as in, on a chair, or anything that flattens your natural spinal curve is one of the worst things you can do for your back. Make sure you get yourself a lumbar support and only use furniture that allows or encourages healthy posture.

I wouldn't hesitate to ask your doctor for electronic imaging, MRI. It's the only way they can actually and definatively know for sure what's going on inside.

Anti-inflams may be your friend. I personally, attempt to avoid other straight pain killers. I find I recover better by respecting my bodies pain signals, instead of masking them and doing things that would otherwise cause discomfort. Anti-inflams seem to help lessen discomfort without blocking pain.

Respect your back. Heal well and really, really attempt to come back slowly whilst listening to your bodies feedback. Once healthy again, lots of core strengthening exercises, crunchs, side, front and back planks, leg curls on a sports ball, leg lifts, etc. The stronger the muscles supporting your back are, the better off you will be and less likely to re-injure.

No doubt

The doc (a well-respected sports doc, but not a spine specialist) said I did not need an MRI because he was very confident in his diagnosis. I described the crash and where the pain was, and he watched me move around and did some tests with my legs.

The steroids are done as of yesterday, so now it's just ice and ibuprofen. I've basically done nothing for eight days since the crash (lots of walking though).

Today I'm going to start walking longer and stretching, because everything is tight back there. I'd like to start some 30-minute trainer rides soon.

I still have some sharp pains when I twist certain ways, and sitting seems to make everything worse. Sitting and leaning forward is OK (makes me hopeful about the bike), sitting and leaning back is awful.

The pain often comes from the upper right butt area, and extends down through the hip area.

Right now, it's uncomfortable, but manageable.

Thanks for the replies everyone.

PM me if you have any other questions that I might be able to help you with!