I have been throwing with increasing lower back pain since July 2008. This year it was even worse, and radiating to my hip and leg. I decided it was time for an MRI and here are the results. Even if you don't understand the lingo - it still reads pretty bad.

L-2, L-3 - Mild disc desiccation and relative narrowing with circumferential disc bulging and endplate spurring which is more prominate anteriorly.

At L-3, L-4 - Protrusion or contained disc herniation is seen resulting in acquired canal stenosis with encroachment on the superior aspects of lateral recesses, worse on the right.

L-4, L-5 - Canal stenosis and bilateral recess stenosis, worse on the right related to disc protrusion and contained disc herniation along with advanced degenerative facet arthropathy - mild foraminal stenosis on the right.

   So as I thought was probably the case, and barring a miracle, my throwing days are over. Sorry to see it end. Dale, I'll have to wonder what it would have been like to edge you out.

   On the positive side, I did get to throw for 6 years and make some really great friends, a few of whom I consider family. Oh yea, I met McBain too.

See ya'll from the sidelines,

Roland

Roland,

I'm no expert, and wouldn't know if you were having back pain or building a radio from that description. You've gotta do what you've gotta do. If it doesn't make things worse, well, I expect to see you at the trig. If it does, well, I expect we'll all make that decision some day. And like Myles and Craig point out, the docs aren't always right.

What I do know is that statistically your chances of having Alzheimers are 50/50 if you live to 85. I'm planning on wearing out before then, no sense leaving the shell with no one home, ya know?

Dale

"No reason to fall on your sword man."

+1

+2

Don't let the bastards scare you! Outside of the disk protrusion, which can by the way be treated conservatively, there's really not much out of the ordinary there. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to diminish the pain you are feeling. Until you've experienced the debilitating affects of back pain you just don't understand...and believe me I understand.

You'll get through this, trust me, it is just going to take a little longer and you're going to have to be smarter about what you do and how you do it from here on out.

Roland,

It's been my pleasure throwing with you this last little bit.  Thanks for all your help and support--but PLEASE learn some new jokes!

Whatever you decide--I'm with ya.  If I'm not throwing with you--I'll miss it, but I know you will probably jump right in to judging etc.  Personally, I hope you can stay and throw some more--but I know what it's like at our age to keep throwing while your body fights back.

Hang in there brother!

That is why I would only have an MRI of my back if I had a shrinking leg or I was unable to stand. Back pain comes with our territory as strength athletes. Strengthening the core muscles and low back as much as possible is the way I will stay in the game as long as possible. This means too much to me personally to give up but every man has a price they will pay.

+ 1 Mike!

I train people everyday on med x equipment.

Doesn't cure anything , but it sure keeps you strong enough to push off "back attacks"

Combined w. a rotary( IF you are healthy enough ) and done at a snails pace with NO fast movements , it has put many of my clients back in the game 

Baby steps w. the back people - eaase your way into anything.

Thanks for all of the advice/encouragement. I will put them to good use, and hopefully climb back into the saddle -if not this year then maybe next. We'll see. Thanks again.

Roland

So many good points made above, but I'll add my small ha'penny's worth.

That scan reads through fine - I would not be concerned overly about it. Not knowing how old you are, makes an accurate comment a little hard, but as many others said - they would have similar scan results.

Scans show you problems, but they don't always correlate to your symptoms. You say left hip and thigh are worse, but your scan says that the major issues it sees are on the right! Proof if any more were needed than the cure does not require the scan. Planning surgery requires a scan and they fix what they see - all well and good if it explains your symptoms.

So if you wish to add my medically qualified opinion to the above: keep going. Find a way to sort it out and keep going. Unless you want to stop - but if that's what you wanted you wouldn't have posted it here, would you?

So the writing on the wall seems clear to read now!

You cant give up yet my friend ,,,  you still have one other guy to meet on the field !!!

Take care of that back ! See ya soon , I hope