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  • erictennis
    Participant
    Post count: 4

    Greetings,

    I underwent a microdiscectomy at L5/S1 in May of 2016, and had very good results. I’m back doing the activities I enjoy (e.g., tennis), and am now really careful about how I lift things.

    I recently just welcomed a baby boy into my family (my first), but am concerned about the stress that lifting him could have on my back over the long term.

    Could there be an increased risk of recurrent herniation due to lifting him? Is there a max weight over which it’s not recommended to EVER lift after undergoing a MD?

    Thanks,

    Eric

    Donald Corenman, MD, DC
    Moderator
    Post count: 8656

    The problem with having a prior disc herniation is that by the very nature of the herniation, you have to have a through and through tear of the disc wall (annulus). Since the disc is avascular (no blood supply), this tear never heals. The chance of recurrence has to do somewhat with luck but mainly due to the actions of BLT (bend/load/twist). See https://neckandback.com/treatments/conservative-treatment-mechanical-lower-back-disorders/.

    Lifting your boy should be safe if you lift correctly. Just make sure you don’t twist and use your knees to lift.

    Dr. Corenman

    PLEASE REMEMBER, THIS FORUM IS MEANT TO PROVIDE GENERAL INFORMATION ON SPINE ANATOMY, CONDITIONS AND TREATMENTS. TO GET AN ACCURATE DIAGNOSIS, YOU MUST VISIT A QUALIFIED PROFESSIONAL IN PERSON.
     
    Donald Corenman, MD, DC is a highly-regarded spine surgeon, considered an expert in the area of neck and back pain. Trained as both a Medical Doctor and Doctor of Chiropractic, Dr. Corenman earned academic appointments as Clinical Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, and his research on spine surgery and rehabilitation has resulted in the publication of multiple peer-reviewed articles and two books.
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