Abstract

This paper studies courses of treatment and recovery in 10 runners with acute back and leg pain. All ran at least 20 milesweek, had pain during or shortly after running, and were diagnosed for herniated lumbar disk by myelogram, electromyogram (EMG), or objektive motor weakness and reflex changes. Two or more high-risk factors contributed to the disk syndrome in each runner. These included being 30 to 50 years old (9 runners), being under 72 inches tall (6 runners), having tight joints (6 runners), changing running style (5 runners), and having a previous herniated lumbar disk (3 runners). Early diagnostic problems led to incorrect initial diagnosis in three runners. The conservative treatment program consisted of controlled rest, anti-inflammatorymedication, alternative exercises, and a gradual return to running in 6 to 12 weeks. All runners were treated with Williams exercises. Eight were put in traction as inpatients, and seven weregiven epidural injections of steroids. Eight returned to active running and one became a marathon bicyclist. Only onerunner was unable to return actively to sports. Verf.-Referat (gekuerzt)