A return to running after spine surgery at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, is a dream come true for former patient James. He’s got the running bug again after his spine surgery and has already completed one marathon and about to tackle his second one post-surgery.
“I am so happy that by my back finally ‘going’ and getting it fixed once and for all has reignited my passion for running. I wish I’d done it years ago…I am so grateful to my surgeon for giving me my life back!“
James Bower, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough spinal surgery patient
Excited to take on the Yorkshire Marathon on October 20th, James claims that without his back finally ‘going’ after putting up with it for over 20 years he wouldn’t even be able to dream of entering running events, let alone contemplate a personal best time.
Last year, James dismounted his bike after a 2-hour cycle ride around his local area to find his right leg had stopped working. With agonising pain in his back, he crawled into his house and was bed-ridden for four days. Previously unable to run for over 20 years due to ongoing back issues, just over six months after a micro-discectomy spine surgery – to repair a prolapsed disk – he completed a marathon in Lanzarote in 4 hours and 4 minutes and is determined to smash the 4-hour barrier on home-turf at the Yorkshire Marathon later this month.
James credits his local community 5K Park Run events held at Concord Park, Sheffield and Rother Valley Country Park for providing a supportive training ground and the team at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, for providing the life-changing surgery he needed which has re-ignited his passion for fitness and running!
He says: “My back ‘going’ sort of did me a favour, even if I didn’t appreciate it at the time. Last year, if you’d have said I’d be running in the Yorkshire Marathon I wouldn’t have believed it. At the time I was trying to get fit again by cycling as I’d put on a little weight and hadn’t run in years due to severe back problems – though I used to be a very keen runner back in the day!
“My bad back had kept me from maintaining fitness over the years. I had a prolapsed disk but had ignored it for about 15 years despite some niggles from time to time as I could still drive to work, and I was able to get out on my bike occasionally. However, last March, I went out on a 2-hour bike ride which ultimately changed my life. At the time due to the excruciating pain, I was scared I’d done some permanent damage and feared for my quality of life.
“Four painful weeks later, my GP sent me for physio which flagged that I’d need an intervention and was promptly sent for an MRI scan which confirmed that I’d need spinal surgery. I was terrified and didn’t want to wait 12-18 months on the NHS for treatment as I was worried how my back pain was going to impact my life long-term. At this point I had to take time off on days I couldn’t get into the office and exercise was a no-go. It was then that I decided to look into private surgery options as I had some savings set-aside for retirement and was worried that if I left the surgery too long it could negatively affect the rest of my life. I felt paying for surgery quickly and putting my retirement back a couple of years was what I needed to do to give me peace of mind. I was in so much agony and anguish over my back and didn’t want to play the NHS waiting game.
“I found an amazing spinal surgeon, Mr Al-Tamimi, online who had excellent reviews at Wellsoon from Practice Plus Group Hospital in Barlborough, not far from home. Incredibly, I was booked in for an operation within four weeks of my first appointment and was delighted to be told I’d be able to start walking gently the day after the surgery! With my back pain gone, I was now able to consider getting back into running again – something I had not even considered since my mid 30s due to my back! I downloaded the Couch to 5K app six weeks after my surgery so I could safely build up my jogging time and haven’t looked back since. I took on a local 5K Park Run at Concord Park, Sheffield, three months after my operation and caught the running bug again after almost a 25-year hiatus.
“I didn’t want to wait 12-18 months on the NHS for treatment and I was worried how my back pain was going to impact my life long-term…it was then I decided to look into private surgery options.”
James Bower, Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough spinal surgery patient
“Seeing how happy I was with my new lease of life, my two daughters suggested we enter a Winter marathon together and flew to Lanzarote last December where I took on the full 26.2-mile course. Whilst I was slower than my running heydays, where I’d make times of around 3 hrs 20, I was delighted to finish in 4 hrs 4 minutes. Although it was bittersweet as I was so close to breaking the 4-hour mark and felt I needed to give myself a new challenge.
“Less than a year on from Lanzarote, I now feel prepared for my second marathon since spine surgery. Training has gone well, and my back has felt great. I am so happy that by my back finally ‘going’ and getting it fixed once and for all has reignited my passion for running. I wish I’d done it years ago. I’m hoping to knock off 10 to 15 minutes of my marathon time next month and then try and tackle a new Park Run PB in the new year of under 20 minutes! I am so grateful to my surgeon for giving me my life back!”
Consultant Surgeon, Mr Yahia Al-Tamimi at Practice Plus Group Hospital, Barlborough, says, “It’s all too common that people live with back and leg pain for years when there is often a solution or treatment needed to get back to their best – or in James’s case the best he’s felt in years! Living with a spinal degenerative condition can be exhausting both mentally and physically. Not being able to get to work, drive or get about day-to-day without pain can really set people back. If you are suffering with back issues don’t put it off – see a GP or healthcare provider as soon as you can.”
James is now eagerly awaiting ballot results for next year’s Great North Run half marathon 2025.
