Can you run after lumbar disc herniation fusion surgery?

Written by Wang Fei
Orthopedics
Updated on May 04, 2025
00:00
00:00

Lumbar disc herniation is a common clinical disease, with a high incidence rate mainly between the ages of 40 and 60, particularly among the younger adult population. If the lumbar disc herniation is severe, and procedures such as nucleotomy, laminotomy, and lumbar fusion surgery have been performed, one might wonder what type of exercise is advisable post-surgery, and whether running is appropriate. Regarding lumbar fusion surgery for disc herniation, running is not contraindicated. After a good recovery, one can engage in jogging. However, it is advised to avoid high-intensity running and instead opt for short-distance, slow-paced jogging. This can be completely acceptable post-surgery for those with lumbar herniation fusion.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 24sec home-news-image

How to exercise with lumbar disc herniation

For patients with lumbar disc herniation, self-exercise is a very important and effective treatment method. First, it is important to maintain the correct sitting posture, sit up straight without leaning sideways, and avoid sitting for extended periods. It is also necessary to keep the waist warm to prevent catching cold. Second, it is necessary to strengthen the exercise of the back muscles, especially the erector spinae and multifidus, with exercises such as single-leg bridges, double-leg bridges, and the "little swallow" exercise. Third, maintain the correct posture in daily life, such as when lifting or holding objects, to avoid increasing tension in the waist and causing unnecessary damage. Fourth, regarding rest, it is crucial to lie on a firm bed and possibly add a thin pad under the waist to keep the hips and knees in a certain alignment, ensuring the waist muscles can fully relax. Fifth, always wear a waist belt during exercise. The waist belt is one of the most important orthopedic supports, serving to immobilize and protect the waist, limiting movement during activity to solidify the effects of earlier treatments. Therefore, patients with lumbar disc herniation must develop a complete and reasonable treatment plan at a regular medical institution and normal physiotherapy institution.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min home-news-image

Lumbar disc herniation is where?

Where does lumbar disc herniation occur? Let's first discuss what a lumbar disc is. A lumbar disc is a fibrous pad located between the upper and lower vertebrae, which can be understood as a joint between the two vertebrae. Its outer layer is made up of a dense fibrous ring, formed in different combinations and arrangements, with a nucleus pulposus in the middle, which primarily functions to bear pressure from various directions and disperse it. Lumbar disc herniation occurs when, for various reasons such as aging, trauma, or pathological changes, the lumbar disc protrudes. If the protrusion does not break through the fibrous ring, it is called bulging. If it compresses and causes the fibrous ring to rupture, it is called herniation. Thus, the herniation can protrude backward, upward, or forward; however, it is mostly the backward protrusion that can cause symptoms by compressing nearby tissues, such as the spinal cord, blood vessels, and nerve roots.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Na Hong Wei
Orthopedics
1min 40sec home-news-image

Lumbar disc herniation has what manifestations?

Lumbar disc herniation has the following clinical manifestations. First, lower back pain accompanied by unilateral radiating pain in the lower limbs. Second, numbness in the localized area. Third, weakness in the toes. Fourth, decreased temperature in the affected limb. Upon examination, the first finding is a reduced natural anterior curve of the lumbar spine, which we refer to as a flat or board-like back. Second, it can also cause the lumbar spine to bend to one side, possibly toward the affected side or the healthy side, depending on the location of the herniation. Third, there is a fixed tender point beside the lumbar spine, which plays an active role in diagnosis and treatment. Fourth, due to pain, there is a limitation in the movement of the lower back; normally, the lumbar spine can flex 45 degrees forward, extend 20 degrees backward, and bend 30 degrees to each side. If these ranges of motion are not achievable, it indicates a significant limitation in lumbar activity. Fifth is the neurological localization examination, which primarily involves different sensory disturbances, motor disturbances, or muscle atrophy depending on the site of compression. There are also some special tests, like the straight leg raise test, reinforcement test, healthy side leg raise test, as well as the neck flexion test and femoral nerve stretch test. Lastly, additional diagnostic tests like CT or MRI can provide specific information on the location and stage of the lumbar disc herniation.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Qiu Xiang Zhong
Orthopedics
51sec home-news-image

Lumbar disc herniation symptoms

Patients with lumbar disc herniation can exhibit a variety of clinical symptoms which may differ according to age, gender, duration of illness, and the location of the herniation. Among these, back pain is a symptom that occurs in over 90% of the patients. The pain is primarily located in the lower back and the sacral area, most commonly presenting as persistent dull pain. Another common symptom is radiating pain in the lower limbs, which may extend from the lower back and buttocks to the back of the thigh, front or back of the calf, all the way to the heel. The nature of the pain is primarily radiating and piercing. Additionally, there may be reduced sensory and motor functions in the lower limbs as well as cauda equina syndrome symptoms.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Chen Hui
Orthopedic Surgery
42sec home-news-image

How to care for lumbar disc herniation

The intervertebral discs of a normal human body, according to related evidence-based medical research, begin to degenerate around the age of twenty-five. How should we maintain them in daily life? First, when lifting heavy objects in everyday life, it is necessary to do so by squatting partially and then lifting the weight with the strength of your knees and hips when standing up. Do not bend at the waist with straight knees and hips to lift heavy objects, as this can cause severe loading on the lumbar spine, leading to herniated discs. If symptoms are already present, maintenance measures include wearing a lumbar support, sleeping on a hard bed, and undergoing relevant physical therapy, among others.