Recovering from a herniated disc - what rides to skip?

TMJR

Mouseketeer
Joined
Jan 5, 2006
Messages
259
Hi everyone,

I severely herniated a disc in my back in May. We are headed to WDW in August. I have had 2 steroid epidurals and am in physical therapy. Thankfully, I am walking well now and my pain is under control. I just keep focusing on our August trip as I recover. We will be there for 2 weeks, so I can take it slow if I need to. What rides should I definitely skip? I know the obvious ones (primeval whirl, dinosaur, tower of terror, space mountain, etc) but are there any rides that people with back problems have unexpectedly had a difficult time with? I want to try to do as much as possible with my family while still protecting my back.

Thank you!
 
I would add Expedition Everest and Rock n Roller Coaster, from the pressure they put on your back, not the jerkiness. Possibly Space Tours.
 
Not scolding you, but this is really a question for your physician and PT to address. IN some cases, you should not sit with your knees higher than your hips as it causes your back to round.
 
I have spoken to both my PT and surgeon. I was told to use my judgement and do what my body tolerates, so that's why I was asking for some advice. :-)
 

This link has a list of all the attractions with restrictions and warnings: http://allears.net/tp/rr.htm

Some will not apply in your case, but all of the rides with warnings for guests with back problems are included.
 
Just went in May 3 weeks before my microdisectomy surgery. I skipped the mountains (big thunder, space, splash) but was able to do 7DMT (I've previously ridden it so knew what to expect from it in terms of being a bit jerky). Also skipped RnRC (to my dismay- it was my son's first time riding and I had to sit out!!). I also skipped the tea cups due to concerns for sitting/maintaining posture while spinning. (Also had a 3 month old with is so easier to skip). Sitting was the most painful thing for me prior to my surgery, but I was able to tolerate most rides, including multiple trips on Star Tours (we were there for SWW).
 
KILIMANJARO SAFARIS!
That one really caught me by surprise on my first trip there! THOSE BUMPS...with back issues... OUCH!
 
KILIMANJARO SAFARIS!
That one really caught me by surprise on my first trip there! THOSE BUMPS...with back issues... OUCH!

That's exactly the one I was thinking about too! But now I find that if I ask for either the first or second row due to back issues, they're very nice about putting me up front. Occasionally I've had to wait for the next jeep, but boy what a difference a front seat makes!
 
A friend with 7 slipped discs joined us last year and this is what we described to her so she could pick. This is in no way a full list, we didn't ride everything else and you should find out more before you jump on anything else. We didn't even go into animal kingdom so take others advice on what may or may not work for you. I do remember a lot of bumps on some of the see the animal rides, but I also remember a few that were on a track and those should be ok.

- Space Mountain - boardwalk like little coaster with a lot of fast jerks and in the dark so you can't be prepared before they happen. This ride actually cracks my back for me most times and usually my favorite first as it's cheaper than the spa :)
- Big Thunder Railroad - a lot of bouncing and uses a bar across 2 people to hold you in. There is a couple quick changes that will stretch or compress your back not to mention the side to side motion since you can slide with the bar style "safety belt"
- Tower of Terror - free fall elevator ride, you will float and compress really hard
- Rock n roller coaster - disneys first coaster with upside down loops, it will push your shoulders and full body weight into the harness when upside down or the really steep turns it makes.
- dinosaur - you get tossed all over the place simulating off road conditions. don't even consider this one.
- the smaller carnival like rides next to dinosaur - small track, you can see them to decide for yourself but a combo of small coaster and tilt a whirls.
- test track - there is a couple spots with hard breaking and fast swerves to avoid things. I would question if this would be ok.
- mission to mars - G force simulator turned into a ride. It's going to push you back into your seat for almost the entire ride.
- Everest - not sure about this one, backwards roller coaster for most of it. I do remember some bumps but not sure if it would be a problem. think twice about this one.

What we didn't skip that you may not realize might be ok:
- 7 Dwarves mine train - I only recommend this if you wait to be in the front of the coaster (tell the CM who is telling you where to sit). At the top of every climb up is a small up and down track movement. If your in the front, the back still climbing has you gently go over that bump and really takes away from the ride but as someone with a back concern, that's the only spot I would worry. The cars freely rock side to side and really makes it gentle vs other coasters.
- Splash Mountain - This was our friends favorite. I never really thought of it but it's a smooth transition to the water drop and the water offers some padding to gently slow the ride at the bottom. She had no issues and road this as much as they would let her and has become here try to stop me from going again ride.
- Kali River Rapids - *** This may not be ok *** - It's a really gentle river ride but it's a free roaming group raft and can push into the sides with some force and jerky motion. This type of injury I would think twice before getting on.
 
I would also be really careful what shoes you're wearing! I did Disney/Universal about 2 years after I herniated one of my discs and the combination of rides and unsupportive shoes didn't end well. Threw up all sorts of problems. Ended up having to go to the shops to get a different pair of trainers and it really helped. As I'm sure you know your whole body is interconnected so if you niggle one thing it may mess with your back and that is obviously the last thing you'll want
 
I have spoken to both my PT and surgeon. I was told to use my judgement and do what my body tolerates, so that's why I was asking for some advice. :-)

GOOD TO KNOW!

Here is what _I_ would do beforehand....(sounds really goofy, but bear with me!)

Find a LOW stool or something like a milk crate but a little higher in your home. Sit on it rather crunched up for 3 minutes. Does that make your back hurt? Get yourself up and down off it a few times. Can you do that without pain? That mimics (in a way) all of the "boat" rides.

I have significant back issues and I can/do ride everything, BUT I am also a Pilates instructor and I know how to really lock down my core to protect my spine. When I ride jerky rides, I make sure my back is pressed FIRMLY into the seat back by my legs and that my back is not rounded. If I'm having a rougher go of it, I skip CTE, Space and BTMRR.
 
The one I'd add to the list above is the tomorrowland speedway. I found it hurt my back
 


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