Well things have moved on a bit since my last post. Mr Birch has given me the ok to go and have physio. This is a major step. The nerve I think is still impinged and also my lower leg is still numb. He does however think that it will go back to where it came from and there will be no need to operate. he hasn't ruled out that I might need some more injections if the pain comes back, also permanent nerve damage (a numb lower leg) hasn't been ruled out either. But I am remaining upbeat.

I had my first physio and in the main it was an assessment and he has given me some gentle exercises to get going again. I'm also allowed to ride my bike on the static trainer. First session was today 3x5mins with a minutes of the bike rest after each session. Its not going to win me an Olympic medal but its a start. :-)

Today is a big day potentially a very big day. I have my follow up appointment with Dr Nick. mmm not sure about calling him that reminds me to much from the Simpsons. Mr Nick nope that doesn't work either. Ill stick with Mr Birch.

This is to review how successful the injection has been. In most parts the injection has been great. I can move and walk and I am more or less pain free. I still have a number lower left leg and bruising across my lower back but on the whole I'm a lot better.

What comes next is what I am concerned about as I really don't want surgery. I think the options are:

Cut off the offending bulge
Or remove the disc and fuse the bones together

The former should be back to normal in 3-6 weeks
The latter means ill have to wear a cage for some time till the bones have fused.

lets just say now I do not want the latter.

I will report back later to day to let you know how I get on

The last 3 days have seen massive milestones on my road to recovery.

Saturday
for the first time in 5 weeks I cocked my leg over a bike. Now this is not your normal bike. Sadly it didn't go anywhere... far too early for that....it sits on what is called a turbo trainer in my garage. Anyway I sat on it and road for 10 minutes. Now in the grand scheme of things time wise this is nothing but its a start.

I repeated the feet on Sunday and this was after a 3 mile walk...yep a 3 mile walk.

I have also managed to cobble together a number of exercises and stretches from the following program Lose the Back Pain. I have no idea if they will work but the premise of the program seems sound. Don't just treat the symptoms but address the cause. Work out what the cause is then treat it. The cause being some sort of imbalance and judging by the DVD assessment I have two.

Forward tipped pelvis
Forward Head and neck

You are then provided with a number of specific exercises to assist in correcting the imbalances.

I have no idea if it will work but it makes sense, I haven't as yet been provided with any advice from my consultant and I will run these exercises by him but I don't think they can hurt.

The final milestone of the 3 was my return to work today. Its been 5 weeks and I was glad if a little apprehensive to be going back. My job involves lots of sitting on my backside which is not good, I spent large parts of the day telling myself to sit straight then move about.

I was a little sore when I came home but on the whole so far so good and the stretches etc I have actually do help with the sorness