I can relate to him. I had surgery to two herniated discs in my neck a year ago. In the gym is very hard to restrain myself from training like i always did. I must remind myself i should only use girl weights and concentrate on the pump.
Lately I hear lots of people getting disc hernias surgeries, seems like it is common (all athletes of some sort).
Ronnie`s type of training really isn`t the best way for someone who lifts for the looks or being fit. Haney said it best - stimulate, don`t annihilate.
As far as maintaining you previous glory, that just isn`t possible when you have so many injuries as Ronnie has, not to mention the stress on the body trying to stay big. Matthias Steiner is a good example of retired but still fit and strong without putting a ton of stress on the body: