How Dr. Tissenbaum healed thyself, returned to top of sprint world
Allan wins M50 100 at 2010 Sacramento nationals.
Superstar sprinters and friends Charles Allie and Bill Collins accompanied a grimacing Allan Tissenbaum off the track at Olathe nationals in 2013.
Dr. T continued:
I regrouped, attempted to finish my workout unsuccessfully, and went home. By the time I drove home, I couldn’t get out of the car [for] severe back and right leg pain. Had MRI two days later — large disc herniation L3-4. Tried to avoid surgery, but six weeks later I was unable to walk except with crutches.
Had surgery last week in March, where I had several large disc fragments removed. I wasn’t exactly the most compliant patient. I was back in the gym walking on the treadmill on Day 2 and progressed to using the elliptical and rower over the next few weeks. I was pushing my recovery to attempt to get ready for Lyon, which my neurosurgeon was not thrilled about.Houston Elite buddies Charles, Allan and Bill at Sacramento nationals.
During the course of my recovery, I began to experience right knee pain, which I didn’t have previously. It was worse while I was rowing. I had a cortisone shot into my knee and that didn’t afford any relief. An MRI showed a large meniscal tear, and I was determined not to have surgery as it was mid-May — only 10 weeks before Lyon. So I attempted to begin to try and run.
My back felt fine, but I was not really able to run. I opted to have surgery on my knee the last week of May.  I took it upon myself to start to run again the second week of June and slowly progressed. My knee and back pain were gone, but I had not had spikes on for close to two years. I did my first workout in spikes approximately five weeks prior to going over to Lyon. Â
I made a decision to test myself in twp pre-Lyon meets — Canadian and U.S. masters championships — and ran well enough to win.  I was in my poorest running and race shape of my life, and that is why I decided not to attempt the 200 in Lyon. However, I ended up being needed to run in the 4×400, and had not run a 400 in over 30 years.
Presently I am feeling pretty well. I have back pain due to arthritis in my lower back, but my knee and hamstring feel pretty good. I have had to drastically adjust my strength training — no more squats, cleans, dead lifts, and only run 2-3 times per week.
One lesson I learnt from this experience is listen to your body. My back was hurting for months prior to the herniation, but I ignored it and tried to train through it. Also doctors make the worst patients. I took my surgeon’s advice and modified all the suggestions. Â
In spite of knowing about my athletics, I was still given the advice no running for at least three months, no lifting weights, and “you should seriously consider giving up sprinting as your back is quite degenerative.”  As athletes, most of know our own bodies better than the doctors, and treatments should be modified taking those factors into account.
I am hoping to return to indoor national for the first time since 2001, and plan to be in Michigan this summer for nationals.
I am a believer in drug-testing as I have been on the other side of competing against individuals who choose to cheat. Â On the other hand, as my friend Marty Krulee and I always joke, this is only masters track, and the only people who really care about it are the athletes themselves. Â I think targeted testing is reasonable, and I think the threat of testing is enough to help keep our sport clean. Â
13 Responses
What Allan did in the last year is absolutely incedible. After aback surgery and knee surgery he won the 100m at Canadian Nationls, U.S. Nationals and Worlds. It was a pleasure to run both relays with him at Worlds. Congrats again Allan.
Dr.Tiissenbaum,
Great to see you running so well.. After surgery!!! …Maybe if OUR health prevails we can put a relay together this coming summer….I turn 55 in Feb.. I took your advice from few years ago regarding my horrible ARMS…..much help! Due to health issues I only ran one 100 meter race in 2015 11.87 two 200 and no 400s ……I would love to be able to ask your advice, opinion regarding my health issue…
If you could find the time to email me I would really appreciate it… and I can fill you in on my Hip issue…. Great to See You Back Competing
mdsullivan400@gmail.com
Have an great day,
Sully
Allan, you come up big when the stakes are big, and nowhere was that more evident than in Lyon last summer. Looking way back, I had the pleasure of announcing you in 2001 at the Reggie Lewis Center in Boston — you scorched a 7.09 in the 60 and a 23.21 in the 200 final. Nice.
When I first saw you run I remember thinking, “That’s a strong guy,” or words to that effect.
It’s hard to believe that you did not appear at indoor nationals in 2002 through 2015.
Good luck to you, Jim Chinn, and Sully at Albuquerque indoor nationals in 2016. If I am selected to announce I will give good introductions for all three of you.
Great recovery!
Allan,
Amazing narrative of your comeback. I saw you go down in Olathe, and was a first responder ( so to speak) by your side as you lay on the track. You were in terrible pain and it was clear you had serious injuries. But…There was no doubt in my mind you would be back….I find the story of your healing and return to the track inspiring Allan.
You are a fierce competitor. So glad to see you win in Lyon.. Stay well and fast my friend.
This is quite a remarkable story of injury, surgery, recovery, and successful return to competition. I should print it out to remind myself that a come back from injury and life altering experiences is still within reach. I congratulate you on your determination.
Allan, I too have received the sprinter’s “death sentence” from a doctor “you need to stop sprinting due to the degenerative condition of your back. I was told this in ’08 and ’12. The last doctor gave me a caveat “if you’re going to continue you should should consider something less volatile like the 800 rather than the 400 & the 200”. My 400 times as of late-maybe he was right! I commend you on your not just return which is a feat in and of itself but a triumphant return.
Wow! I would never have guessed that you recovered from inactivity and surgery so quickly, Dr. Tissenbaum. Congratulations, and be sure to thank your parents for bequeathing you some impressive genes!
Thanks for the story, Ken.
Allan, great recovery story!
When I photographed you winning the 100 at Lyon, I remember thinking how unusual it was for your back to be rod straight when you crossed the finish line when most people lean into the line.
I thought “how cool!” since you didn’t even need to lean to win…you were that dominant in the race.
Now I realize that maybe your cool form might have had sometthng to do with your recovery.
At any rate, bravo!
An incredible story, a true champion can’t quit it’s not in his mental make up, you are a true Champion!
Thanks for all the kind words and support.
Way to persevere! It must have been tough fighting through it all.
I’m a huge fan.
Fantastic! I’m glad to hear that you recovered after this severe injury.
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