Question
I am a healthy and fit 49 year old male weighing 200 lbs and was diagnosed with a radial annular tear at L5/S1 on 5-31-10 after lifting a heavy weight. No herniation or cord involvement. No radiculopathy but did have right buttocks pain that has resolved as of 6-2. Dr put me on Medrol dose pack, muscle relaxers and pain killers which seem to be working. No longer need the muscle relaxers or pain killers. Most of my pain now is minor and occurs more when sitting than standing or supine/prone. I am flying to Maui on 6-8 (which is a 8 hour plane flight) and have many activities planned there. The most strenuous being hiking excursions.The first will be 1/2 mile hike at elevation over uneven terrain to get to the zip line. Can I use pain as my guide on this first hike to determine if I can handle a bigger one? I'm willing to endure some pain to participate in this upcoming adventure but I don't want to create a more serious injury either.

Thanks,

Barry Davis

Answer
barry,
There's something important your missing. The drugs have not fixed anything? it gives you  false sense of your condition, by thinking your "cured." The only thing you have fixed is the symptoms by pain killers and muscle relaxers. You still have an annular disc tear. This can be a precursor to a disc herniation. This is an injury you need to take care. When you sit, you compress that disc and that is why it still hurts when sitting. I would bring your medication with you, pop and pray it's symptom free . You probably shouldn't take those long hikes,if you do while on medication it gives you a false sense of hope and you could injure yourself further.
so, go on a small easy hike (without medication) and use that as your gauge.
i would also consult a chiropractor when you return to make sure your spine is in alignment so you don't damage that disc further.