Back/Spine Issues

[kanem]

I'm just two weeks removed from back surgery. I had a partial diskectomy and hemilaminectomy at L4-L5. During the procedure the doc discovered that in addition to a plece of disk that was up against the nerve that the facet joint was protruding and hitting the nerve on the other side, so I had two sources of pain. Thankfully that is all gone right now and I am on the road to recovery. The problem is the doc says I have more instability in my spine than he likes to see and that I am a good candidate for fusion surgery down the road unless, 1) I drop some serious weight (good idea for other reasons too), and 2) get the core strong. So I am going to work on those two.
Everytime the wife is around the doc she keeps pressuring him to advise me to quit riding. It seems the big worry is the impact up and down the spine. While they didn't say to stop riding they did say it takes 5 to 6 month for the muscles to heal fully so I am more or less resigned to no riding until 2010.
I told the wife that well if I couldn't ride then I could farkle! The doctor didin't say anything about that.
Anyway I was wondering if anyone else has similar issues and has returned to riding without difficulty.

 

[sherob]

I'm kinda in the same boat as you... L5/S1 for me. I had surgery about 4 years ago... felt great for a longtime. After 3 months I had enough of not riding... I rode from Houston to Dallas in the rain with my back brace on... I didn't care... It was good to ride again

I moved to Denver 2 years ago and I started to have problems... thought it may be altitude related... was riding a Wing, more upright seated. I thought I was going to have to give up riding because it was getting that bad... then got the C14 this year... nice change for the back

I saw a back specialist... MRI's... injections(didn't help)... I have bone on bone, bone spurs on both sides, and something else, I can't remember. All they can do is offer me a fusion now and cleanup the other stuff. I was going to get this done the end of this year... I have to put it on hold since my wifes health is a bit more important right now

My wife knows how much riding means to me... she would never suggest I give it up... she knows I will make that decision if it comes to that.

Good luck and I wish you well on your recovery. Do your PT... do what the Dr. says... and farkle away while you can't ride

 

[ChipSTer]

BTDT.... But I had a laminectomy (picture an ice cream sandwich where you scrape off the ice cream that pokes out when you put pressure on both sides)... And the doctor told me then that there was a 70% chance that I would have to have the disks fused at a later date... Well, that date is fast approaching because the pain is back... However, sitting (or riding) does not cause the pain... Standing/walking is the only time I experience the pain... Long story short, I was unable to buy a bike for almost a year after the surgery...

 

[jvick98]

I had two laminectomies and really couldn't stand sitting upright. Even in an office chair. Then the Docs came up with the fusion and hardware thing and now riding the ST1100 is actually therapeutic.

Fortunately, my bride is the one that says "If you want a new ST, Get It"!

Jim

 

[Maureen]

The problem is the doc says I have more instability in my spine than he likes to see and that I am a good candidate for fusion surgery down the road unless, 1) I drop some serious weight (good idea for other reasons too), and 2) get the core strong. So I am going to work on those two.

Anyway I was wondering if anyone else has similar issues and has returned to riding without difficulty.[/QUOTE]

If you think of the spine like a radio tower and the muscles are like guy wires supporting it, then it stands to reason that strengthening the abdominal and lower back muscles would be pretty helpful. I have had a lower back injury and I am also a kinesiologist.
Start an exercise program slowly. A little bit is better than none and too much too soon can be injurious and discouraging. There is a DVD called "Egoscue Pain Free Workout," which you can order from Amazon that is pretty good. Also consider massage therapy and physical therapy as adjunct care. Your doctor can probably refer you to a PT . If you want to lose a few pounds, lots of men seem to drop weight by just giving up....pie and bread.

 

[MNwing]

My C7 - T1 was badly herniated and had surgery on 3/7/09 and was released to ride in early June, I'm fine as long as I don't stay on the bike too long. After I'm off for 10 minutes or longer, the soreness around the incision area goes away. I'm back in therapy again due to the muscles being too tight in that area, something I was warned could happen. They have left the decision to ride up to me. The surgeon said it would take a year from the date of the surgery until things would be back to normal. Take your time, exercise, and don't give riding if you don't have too. One of the things that's helped me more than anything was the thought of being able to ride again.

 

[MikeG12]

I fractured a vertebre in my back when I was hit in the rear while stopped on a motorcycle. 2.5 years later and lots of PT and exercise, but the pain remains. Friend who is a chiropractor told me to buy an inversion table. It seems to work pretty well. When my back gets tired and stiff, I just hop on the table and turn myself upside down for 5 minutes. My spine cracks and relaxes back into shape and I get some instant relief.

 

[Blue STreak]

Had a double diskectomy and 3 disks fused in my neck a couple of years ago. Have other not great disks in my neck and lumbar region. The doc told my to try not to fall off, but didn't tell me not to ride.

As far as problems, the loss of flexibility and range in my neck does cause me some issues. I'm still trying to find the right riding position, but I can't ride as long or as far as I used to.

If you DO need more surgery(ies), see another doctor before you let this one fuse lumbar vertebrae. They can now install artificial disks, that provide much of the flexibility and cushioning of a natural one. Much better than fusing them.

 

[kanem]

Thanks for all the information and experiences.

Bob I already asked about the artificial disks when the doc was explaining all this to me the evening of my surgery. Right now the airtificial disks don't work as well in the lumber area as they do in the cervical area. They are only lastin about two years becuase of the increased load on them lower in the spine.

So I will continue to do what they tell me, don't know if I'll survuve the amount of rabbitt food my wife pushes at me though, and I will be riding soon enough.

 

[Blue STreak]

That's really strange, Mike. When I had my cervical disks done, the doctor said the technology wasn't working well for the cervical vertebrae, so he only used it for the lumber vertabrae.

Never hurts to get a second opinion, in any case.

 

[Eric]

After 3 surgeries at L4-L5 over the past 13 yrs I now have a titanium joint due to the facet joint fracturing in half. The joint was done in January of this year. I rode 4200 miles in 8 days down to CreSTOC and back in June. The fusion was the best thing I ever did.
I am dealing with muscle spasms due to all of the trauma now, but a dry sauna and message has rid me of the need for meds.
I had Spencer modify my seat to absorb some of the shock, but as they say, everyone has their seat preference...
It won't keep you from riding as long as you don't let it. At least mentally that is how I am still doing it. I call it "mental" healing.

Good luck!

 

[STay froSTy]

Hope you do the ST nominal speed to recovery.

I found this thread interesting because I am trying to find relief from a bulging disc between C6 and C7. Over the past 5 years, I have had problems with muscle spasms/strains in the right levator scapule.

Riding makes the right upper back muscles very tense with a painful trigger point that can last for weeks after a long ride. So, spine/pain doc has done injection (did nothing), now trying a chiropractor, massage, and exercises. Might discuss options with surgeon in a few months.

I have had to limit my ST riding for now.

 

[kanem]

Well finished my PT this week, Got the bike back together yesterday and sold my pickup (Can you say Russell Seat?). Finished putting the bike back together yesterday. Have another visit with the doc Wednesday so we will see. Hopefully be riding Thursday!