Returning Astronauts Face 1-Year Disc Injury Risk After 371 Days in Space
Updated
Updated · spacedaily.com · Jul 9
Returning Astronauts Face 1-Year Disc Injury Risk After 371 Days in Space
1 articles · Updated · spacedaily.com · Jul 9
Summary
Frank Rubio’s 371-day ISS mission ended with weeks of burning foot pain and deep lower-back pain, symptoms flight surgeons say are common in the first days after long-duration landings.
Microgravity lets spinal discs swell and feet lose protective calluses; when gravity returns, oversized discs recompress under load while softened soles suddenly bear full body weight again.
The back pain usually peaks 2 to 4 days after touchdown because paraspinal muscles have atrophied, leaving a weakened support system to stabilize a spine readjusting to gravity.
That readjustment also raises herniated-disc risk for up to 1 year after flight, especially in the cervical spine, prompting no-lifting rules, reclining recovery and assisted extraction from capsules.
The problem carries bigger stakes for Artemis and Mars missions: even 2 hours of daily ISS exercise cannot fully prevent bone and muscle loss, and Mars crews may have to walk and work without ground help after roughly 9 months in transit.
After a grueling recovery from his last flight, why was astronaut Frank Rubio selected for the pivotal Artemis III mission?
If astronauts can barely walk on Earth, how will the first crew on Mars manage to work and survive alone?
Spinal Injury Risk in Returning Astronauts: Mechanisms, Countermeasures, and Lessons for Earth
Overview
Astronauts who spend long periods in microgravity experience major changes in their bodies, especially in the musculoskeletal system. When they return to Earth, their bodies must quickly readjust to gravity, which puts significant stress on their bones and muscles. This sudden transition can lead to health concerns, such as spinal injuries, because the spine and its supporting muscles have weakened during spaceflight. High-profile missions, like Frank Rubio’s record stay on the ISS, highlight how extended time in space increases these risks. As astronauts readapt, careful monitoring and rehabilitation are needed to protect their health and support recovery.