It’s been a long time since I’ve blogged, almost a year in fact. Many of you have kindly reached out or mentioned to me that they miss my periodic health reminders. So here we go!

2024 has been very full. Work continues to get busier and I continue to feel privileged to work as a surgeon. I meet patients with many conditions from minor to major, from physical to psychological, from urological to non urological. Each and every interaction I consider important, precious and valuable and I hope to add value to my patients health journey.

Having been physically very active with a 30 year journey in yoga and meditation, and fitness pastimes including marathon, half marathon and ironman, it was an interesting experience for me to experience my first real affliction (almost certainly self inflicted!) Usually my minor tweaks from gym or endurance activities disappear fairly promptly, but on this occasion a minor twinge in the left glute continued to progress. As most men do, and since I was still able to play golf, I ignored it hoping it would go away! But after 3 months, it appeared to be progressing, from the left buttock into the back of the thigh, and when it started becoming impossible to put on my socks and shoes I decided to seek action!

To cut a long story short, the MRI scan revealed an L5S1 disc bulge pressing on the nerve root. Almost certainly it was related to trying to deadlift too heavy a weight. In my mind i still feel 23 and not 53 and when I saw my friends wife deadlifting 100kg, i went chasing that number! There was no acute event, but I’m pretty sure that’s what caused it. A visit to a Sports Medicine colleague lead on to a cortisone injection into S1 nerve root opening. It was excruciating pain having the injection, but within 10 minutes the pain I had been having for 3 months was completely gone. This was the local anaesthetic effect which would wear off whilst waiting for the cortisone to kick in.

Working with an AFL Physiotherapist, I then embarked on a 3 month back rehab program at home. Lots of really boring back and core exercises- superman, bird dog, glute bridges etc. Additionally, it was important to avoid hip flexion positions which could aggravate it. Cycling and running were out. Swimming was encouraged. Sticking with the program, I’m pleased to report that my Physio fully cleared me 5 months after the injection to engage in all activities, but to do it progressively so not to damage it again.

Though relatively minor in comparison to what i see my patients endure, the experience did serve as a learning experience for me.

• train according to one’s age!- this applies to both the activity and the recovery
• understanding pain- effects on physical limitation as well as emotional frustration
• acceptance- of the condition and the rehab duration
• follow the experts instructions- i was a bit blasé about physio, but the recommendations were invaluable
• being on the other side- it’s not much fun, but you have to be guided by experts that see these conditions every day

My back feels great now and stronger than ever before. I’m back running and cycling to work, and using gym to be fit for life, rather than pushing for the next triathlon.

Apart from urology, this year I’ve been fortunate to travel to France for the European Urology Meeting, with a tourist sidetrip to Morocco, and to Malta to visit our daughter who was studying a semester of University. Im currently taking a week off in Bali to rejuvanate and come back refreshed for the next 3 months.

As a final perspective, our close friend age 23 was diagnosed with a pancreatic cancer recently and has undergone major surgery with chemotherapy upcoming over the next 3 months. Please spare a thought and prayer for his recovery.

Life can be fickle, unexplainable, and totally bizarre at times.

If there is one companion that can serve us well at all stages of life, it’s gratitude.

Hope you are all well.