Thread: back injury and lower body question

I wrecked my back a few years ago and have been taking it slow. This past year I have begun to lift heavy again and my question is this....Will I get enough out of using plate loaded squat machine and other machine assisted leg work to be beneficial enough in growth? I know how important deadlifts and squats are, but I just can't do them anymore. I get a good workout on these machines but I just don't want to miss out on the importance of the release of growth hormones from the legs.