Not sure where else to ask. Is firefighting a viable career with DDD & Modic changes?
28M. Currently enrolled in a Fire Academy, it’s starting in 2 weeks. Just got my MRI results.
Basically I had mild low back pains since I was 15 (squatted wrong), mostly on flexion. No leg symptoms. Hurts after standing too long, long hikes with a backpack, and I couldn’t do squats or deadlifts since, but it really didn’t impact my life all that much.
I’ve been athletic my whole life & able of things most people weren’t. Figured it’s nothing some PT can’t fix, and decided to go after a career I dreamed about. But simultaneously figured I’d have things checked out with a doc.
A bit more about the physical requirements of the job: gear weighs 70 lbs (30kg), and tools / hose can weigh the same, so you would often carry 140lb+. Climbing stairs, carrying people. It’s quite rough on the back. But at the same time, actual fires happen rarely, and you work 7 days a month here where I’m at (spread apart). So, plenty of time for recovery. Most days at work are chill, and it’s mostly medical calls. But many folks do get back issues eventually.
Anyways. I was training for it and I overdid it. With weights, and especially with running, which I never did before, and apparently I can’t really? Threw my back straight out the window. Flared up so bad I couldn’t even do physio anymore. Couldn’t walk for more then 20 mins a day. As someone fairly young, these were pretty horrifying and depressing couple months. Virtually every single way in which I derive enjoyment from life involves some sort of an active pastime. For the first time I met the realization that I might eventually lose that, and I’m scared shitless. I was absolutely going for an active retirement, and learning that it’s not guaranteed to me even if I do everything “right” was, let’s say, unnerving.
That’s about the time I finally got my MRI results. DDD in L5S1 and mild stenosis on the left (probs had both since 15), and Modic type 1 changes (probs got that now by overtraining). Doc thinks it’s nothing crazy, as I still have 14mm of space there. But idk.
I originally wondered whether I should postpone the academy because of the recent flare. But now I’m wondering whether it’s even possible for me to pursue this career. I’m young and already like this. If I go for it, I got 25 years to retirement. And while I don’t have any illusions about it being pain free, I damn sure hope I’ll be able to enjoy it actively.
Anyone here was able to manage a physically demanding career with a bad back? How was it?
This is my dream career, and I invested a good bit into it, but if I do need to hear that this is a bad idea, now would be the time.
Thanks.