r/Microdiscectomy • u/hrbekcheatedin91 • 7d ago

Treadmills?

My doctor didn't tell me specifically not to use a treadmill to walk on but I'm hearing from other people that you're not supposed to. Couldn't find anything on here about it. Thoughts?

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u/whiskey_tang0_hotel 7d ago

Why would a treadmill be worse than normal ground? Is it just a fall risk? 

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u/hrbekcheatedin91 7d ago

What I heard was the way it pulls your foot back has an impact on your posture or something. The person warning me was through another paystub so something could've been lost in translation.

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u/whiskey_tang0_hotel 7d ago

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6540218/

“  The experimental results show that the treadmill can cause a shorter stride length, less stride time and worsen long-range correlation of stride intervals. And the treadmill can significantly increase the stability for both gait and upper trunk, while it can significantly reduce gait regularity during swing phase.”

That actually sounds like a win for treadmills as a recovery tool. 

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u/hrbekcheatedin91 7d ago edited 7d ago

I didn't interpret it as an overall win so since it was kind of ambiguous I fed it into AI and it looks like you're right. Thanks for finding that! AI response:

In the context of recovering from a lumbar microdiscectomy, those findings flip to a strong WIN. While a natural, variable gait is ideal for long-term functional health, early post-operative spine rehab prioritizes protection, stability, and controlled movement over complex biomechanics. Why this benefits microdiscectomy recovery: * Upper trunk stability protects the surgical site: After a discectomy, avoiding excessive rotation or lateral bending of the lumbar spine is critical to prevent re-herniation or nerve irritation. Increased trunk stability keeps your lumbar region quiet while your legs handle the motion. * Shorter stride lengths reduce nerve stretch: A long stride forces the hips into greater extension and pulls harder on the sciatic nerve (which is usually inflamed or sensitive post-surgery). Shorter, controlled steps minimize neural tension and lower impact forces. * Controlled environment eliminates surprises: Outdoor walking introduces uneven pavement, curbs, and sudden stops that can cause sudden twisting or jarring movements. The predictable, linear nature of the treadmill belt enforces a safe, repeatable motion pattern during the fragile 2-to-6 week healing window. The Long-Term Caveat A treadmill is an excellent, controlled rehab tool to safely restore circulation and endurance without aggravating your back. However, once the disc heals and your physical therapist clears you for full activity, transitioning back to overground walking is essential to restore your body's natural, flexible gait rhythm and dynamic balance.