Did GZ really need surgery ?

[Ram77]

It was so weird that GZ injured his back so bad that he needed emergency season ending back surgery for a herniated disk. I’ve thankfully never injured my back but couldn’t he have just taken 2 or 3 weeks rest and see if it settled down on its own? I’ve heard from people that sometimes you are never the same after having back surgery. Don’t know how that would affect a kicker like GZ. Hopefully he’s strong for next season! I’m just surprised the Rams team physicians and GZ didn’t wait longer after his back flared up from sleeping funny on it.

 

[96GS#007]

Yes, it can be that bad.

I have a slightly bulging disc and when it flares up the pain can range from uncomfortable to incapacitating. I do a lot of core exercises and really pay attention when lifting objects, etc to manage it. Nonetheless, surgery is not “if” but “when”. Herniated is far far worse and the fact that he could play at all is a testament to the shape he’s in and how well he was taking care of himself.

He should make a full recovery (fingers crossed for him and the team).

 

[TexasRam]

I’m no doctor but I wonder if he will ever
Be the same kicker again.

 

[kurtfaulk]

It was so weird that GZ injured his back so bad that he needed emergency season ending back surgery for a herniated disk. I’ve thankfully never injured my back but couldn’t he have just taken 2 or 3 weeks rest and see if it settled down on its own? I’ve heard from people that sometimes you are never the same after having back surgery. Don’t know how that would affect a kicker like GZ. Hopefully he’s strong for next season! I’m just surprised the Rams team physicians and GZ didn’t wait longer after his back flared up from sleeping funny on it.

he had to be carried from the car into his house. he could barely walk.

.

 

[Debacled]

Herniated discs don't un-herniate on their own. Surgery just removes the herniation which applies pressure to the spinal cord and causes issues such as pain and lower body weakness due to pressure on the nerves

 

[badnews]

He stands a better chance of being himself again after the surgery.

I look forward to watching GZ kick in the playoffs next year and the year after...

 

[rams56]

I’m no doctor but I wonder if he will ever
Be the same kicker again.

This is indeed worrisome. ...but he is a pro athlete with access to great doctors, physical therapists, and strength coaches......imho....he has a great chance to come back as good as ever........

Go Rams........
DIVISION CHAMPION 2017

 

[CGI_Ram]

How we fill this vacancy... is a KEY decision.

Ficken might be the guy. But, we need to be sure we have a kicker built for playoffs. Big decision here.

I hope GZ fully recovers. It sounds like he should.

 

[bubbaramfan]

It's been a problem for him all season. He was trying to play until the end of the season and then have the surgery. He should be fine for next season.

 

[RhodyRams]

I c ant help but think about Tiger Woods

He was never the same player after back surgery

Yes, different sport entirely, but still

 

[I like Rams]

If he can have his best year WITH a herniated disk, I highly doubt he would play worse with out it...

 

[I like Rams]

I c ant help but think about Tiger Woods

He was never the same player after back surgery

Yes, different sport entirely, but still

Completely different movement of the spine.

 

[Psycho_X]

As others have said it was an issue all season apparently and finally culminated into him basically being unable to move. Herniated disc, once it gets to a point, can cause immense pain and even cause the body below that point to go numb and even cause paralysis until fixed. So no, I don't think this was an arbitrary decision made by anyone. All we can do is hope it's a one off thing and he'll be back with no side effects next season.

 

[VilleDeal]

Really funny question...

 

[Raptorman]

Until you have experienced back pain you have no idea how debilitating it can be. Some people handle it better than others, but over time it wears you down. If surgery wasn't necessary, believe me, he wouldn't be having it. No one goes into back surgery unless they absolutely have too.

On a personal level, it would take a lot for me to let someone work on my back.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Completely different movement of the spine.

Have you ever had a back or neck injury injury dude?

It can incapacitate your entire body.
Sitting hurts.
Walking hurts.
Standing hurts.

 

[LesBaker]

I c ant help but think about Tiger Woods

He was never the same player after back surgery

Yes, different sport entirely, but still

His mistake was waiting too long to get surgery.

And I think his knee is shot too which doesn't help one bit.

 

[I like Rams]

Have you ever had a back or neck injury injury dude?

It can incapacitate your entire body.
Sitting hurts.
Walking hurts.
Standing hurts.

Yes, im actually living with a pinched nerve in my lower back right now, and have been livong with it for over 10 yrs. But that's besides the point. Kicking a ball and swinging a club are two COMPLETELY different motions of the spine, and depending on where the herniation is is going to determine what someone can and cannot do. For instance a herniation in the cervical spine is completely different than one in the thoracic or lumbar. Which is going to effect what movements you can or cannot do. Mines in the lower back on my left side, so I can kick a ball but my torso rotation is very limited.

 

[Soul Surfer]

Yes, im actually living with a pinched nerve in my lower back right now, and have been livong with it for over 10 yrs. But that's besides the point. Kicking a ball and swinging a club are two COMPLETELY different motions of the spine, and depending on where the herniation is is going to determine what someone can and cannot do. For instance a herniation in the cervical spine is completely different than one in the thoracic or lumbar. Which is going to effect what movements you can or cannot do. Mines in the lower back on my left side, so I can kick a ball but my torso rotation is very limited.

Of course it's a completely different movement.
That doesn't mean he will or won't be able to kick again.
That was my point.

But they're doing some major great work in that area so I have hope he'll be fine.

 

[snackdaddy]

I c ant help but think about Tiger Woods

He was never the same player after back surgery

Yes, different sport entirely, but still

For a weekend warrior its not a big deal. But when you're playing a sport at the highest level there is, it can be a career destroyer. I've battled back problems for years. I played a lot of sports over the years. I still golf. But there is no way my back would let me play golf on a daily basis. I just go out on weekends and I'm not that good.