Spine Athlete ::: Chris's story

Diagnosis: Disc degeneration and herniation. L5-S1

Treatment: Epidural steroid injections, followed by surgery to shave off disc material that was pressing on the sciatic nerve.

Neurosurgeon: Chris McPherson, MD

Initial injury: It was a sudden pain. I was out shoveling snow in my driveway and fell. After that, any time I picked up something, it hurt. It became this constant pain that wouldn't go away. Nothing brought relief.

Turning point: I saw Dr. McPherson first, and we discussed the pros and cons of surgery and versus epidural steroid injections. You hear these stories – "once you have back surgery you're never the same." So I opted for the epidurals. I had five of them. They helped for a while. They brought relief for anywhere from 3 to 4 weeks to 3 to 4 months. But it was like a band-aid. I'd work out and my back would go out again. This went on for a year and a half. The pain would go away and I'd feel great. I'd get back into my routine and then I'd throw it out again.

In December 2008 I had spine surgery. And had I known then what I know now, I would not have gone the epidural route. I would have just had the surgery. It went great. My recovery was a little long, but once I got through that I was able to slowly begin exercising.

Being a spine athlete: I've always been athletic. I did a few Flying Pig marathons. During the time I was struggling with my back, my weight started to creep up. Around the time of my surgery I started eating right and doing back exercises. Losing the weight relieved a lot of pressure on my back. In addition to exercising, I do a lot of yoga and try to keep my lower back strong and flexible. Exercise makes a world of difference. It's a stress reliever. I do something physical every day. I now weigh 206 pounds, down from a high of around 240.

I completed the Orlando Half Ironman (1.2-mile swim, 56-mile bike ride, 13.1-mile run) in 93-degree weather in May 2010 with absolutely no pain. I finished with a time of 6:07:25. I placed 186th out of 427 in my age division and, overall, 925th out of 2,444. Coming out of the swim I was in the top third, but my quads cramped up in the first quarter-mile of the run. Of course, I'm still pretty pleased with how I did. I never thought I would be able to compete physically after the surgery.

I continued competing in 2012 with NO PAIN --- well, at least no pain in the back. In July 2012 I competed in the Cincinnati Olympic Triathlon (1,500-meter swim, 40k bike ride, and 10k run) and placed first in my division (males 40-44) and 36th overall with a time of 2:25:57. And in August, I completed my first Ironman (2.4-mile swim, 112-mile bike, and 26.2-mile run) in a total time (including transitions) of 15:31:04. Later that month I was presented with the Sheriff's Challenge Coin by Sheriff Simon Leis. In congratulating me, Sheriff Leis said, "Congratulations to Ironman Chris for this outstanding achievement -- not bad for 42 (or younger for that matter). We also need to find the name of his back surgeon and thank him for a job well done."
Years later, no longer competing but still pain free, I echo that sentiment, and once again I say "thank you" to Dr. McPherson and his staff.

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"... had I known then what I know now, I would not have gone the epidural route. I would have just had the surgery. It went great."

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Chris completed the Orlando Half Ironman in 93-degree weather in May 2010 and with absolutely no pain. Two years later he completed his first Ironman in Louisville.