[Sport after disc herniation].

Background: Symptomatic herniated discs are not compatible with physical activity due to severe pain and possible neurological deficits in the acute phase. Once this phase has subsided, it is important to plan an individualized load build-up. The influencing factors are structural damage, the type of sport previously practiced and training status, as well as pain and neurological deficits.

Load build-up: Based on expert consensus and pathomechanisms that have predominantly been proven in animal experiments, suggestions for load build-up have been published. Consequently, once the pain symptoms have been stabilized, careful training can be started after about 1-3 weeks. This includes stabilization of the back muscles and careful mobilization of the spine. Initially, rotational and axial loads should only be increased very cautiously. Low-impact sports can be started from around 6 weeks and high-impact sports from around 12 weeks. Individual medical advice to avoid chronic pain and prevention of degenerative changes should be prioritized.