Getting back on my bike after Back Surgery (diskectomy & laminectomy for ruptured disk)

[David Crick]

About a month ago I ruptured a disk (it was in the L1 lumbar region).
After three weeks of incredible pain I decided to take the surgical route.
The doctor is saying it may be 6-8 weeks before I can resume full, normal
physical activities but that after 2-3 weeks I should be feeling
substantially better.


I'd be interested in knowing if any of rec.moto denizens have had similar
back problems and how it might have effected their riding habits long term.

Did you ultimately have to switch to a different riding style, or perhaps
an different type of motorcycle entirely?

[Margaret M.]

Post by David Crick
About a month ago I ruptured a disk (it was in the L1 lumbar
region). After three weeks of incredible pain I decided to take
the surgical route. The doctor is saying it may be 6-8 weeks
before I can resume full, normal physical activities but that
after 2-3 weeks I should be feeling substantially better.
I'd be interested in knowing if any of rec.moto denizens have had
similar back problems and how it might have effected their riding
habits long term.
Did you ultimately have to switch to a different riding style, or
perhaps an different type of motorcycle entirely?

There's a big discussion going on regarding back surgery in the "I've
Had Enough, I'm Leaving!!" thread. I'm headed for an L4-L5 fusion
surgery and several of the guys here have mentioned their results with
fusion surgery, laminectomy surgery, etc. Oh, and just excuse the
parts of the thread with respect to trolling. ;-)
Mag

[moto]

Dave ...
Just one disk? Try two, or three. :)

No sweat. Just cool it until you are 'fit', as your doc told you.

The afternoon I went in for my second post op exam after the surgery, I
had edged and mowed my lawn, washed the car, and had been on the roof of
the house gettin' rid of a birds nest.

It was all I could do from crackin' up when the doc said "You may resume
moderate exercise" :)



moto

Gas is fast, but liquor's quicker.


'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red

[Paul Cassel]

Post by David Crick
About a month ago I ruptured a disk (it was in the L1 lumbar region).
After three weeks of incredible pain I decided to take the surgical
route. The doctor is saying it may be 6-8 weeks before I can resume
full, normal physical activities but that after 2-3 weeks I should be
feeling substantially better.
I'd be interested in knowing if any of rec.moto denizens have had
similar back problems and how it might have effected their riding
habits long term.
Did you ultimately have to switch to a different riding style, or
perhaps an different type of motorcycle entirely?

I've had two with a fusion on one. The question isn't answerable as we're
all different. IMO, also the bike plays a big role. While it would seem to
make sense that the boy racer position is easier on the back than the sit up
and beg, but in my case, the sitting up style makes for an easier ride and
did right after surgery.

In my personal case, I've made a complete recovery from both - supposedly
very unlikely. I did it by hyper development of my erectors and ab muscles.
I don't recommend this to you because you are you and I am I, but it did
work for me.

I am completely pain free and live with no restrictions whatsoever. I wish
you a speedy recovery. Fee free to email me if you have some specific
questions.

-paul

[moto]

Paul ...
When a person goes in for a/their post op exam after back surgery,
presuming it's turned out okay, most surgeons are gonna tell their
patients to do some moderate excercising to keep those back muscles
toned.
That happened with me, and just about everyone I've ever spoken to
that's had the surgery.
Seldom (that's not often) does back trouble hit someone in great shape.

I too had a very successful result from the surgery.
Lotta folks cringe at the 'fushion' part of it, if that's what the
surgeon advises, but IMHO, that is what has kept me (and maybe others)
outta the doctors office with any further back troubles.

It could be Good docs, and Good luck had somthin' to do with it too. :)





moto

Gas is fast, but liquor's quicker.


'02 750 Ace..... The Twin
'01 Magna.... Black Magic
'95 750 Nighthawk.Big Red (now 4 sale)
'95 Helix....... Little Red

[Paul Cassel]

Post by moto
Paul ...
When a person goes in for a/their post op exam after back surgery,
presuming it's turned out okay, most surgeons are gonna tell their
patients to do some moderate excercising to keep those back muscles
toned.
That happened with me, and just about everyone I've ever spoken to
that's had the surgery.
Seldom (that's not often) does back trouble hit someone in great shape.
I too had a very successful result from the surgery.
Lotta folks cringe at the 'fushion' part of it, if that's what the
surgeon advises, but IMHO, that is what has kept me (and maybe others)
outta the doctors office with any further back troubles.
It could be Good docs, and Good luck had somthin' to do with it too.

For me serious exercise was the ticket. I had to heal enough to be able to
do the work, but once healed, getting strong has made much difference (all
positive) in my life. Actually, I started working out way ahead of doc's
suggestion. I was still on post op narcotics and used them to deaden the
pain of the surgery as I lifted light weights. Nothing bad happened. I don't
usually mention that because I don't want another to try it and undo his
surgery.

I can now ride indefintely w/o any back pain at all. What I do have is ass
pain because I'm a bit lean there so my pelvis is close to my skin & I sit
on my 'points'. I have said for years now that I"m gonna get a gel pad, but
haven't due to image. Don't want my bike to look like the owner is an old
guy with 'roids.

-paul

[Margaret M.]

Post by Paul Cassel
I can now ride indefintely w/o any back pain at all. What I do
have is ass pain because I'm a bit lean there so my pelvis is
close to my skin & I sit on my 'points'. I have said for years
now that I"m gonna get a gel pad, but haven't due to image. Don't
want my bike to look like the owner is an old guy with 'roids.

I have noticed that since I've gained back this 20 pounds following my
moto wreck, my ass is much more comfortable on long rides, or marathon
bubble baths. :-) I'd like to be able to lose the extra padding
around my thighs if I could keep the fat around my butt. Yeah, I know
that's incongruous to the female perspective, but there ya go.
Mag (I can't wait to be able to do massive quantities of rope crunches
for the abs when I get my back fixed) I LOVE the burn. do it, baby,
make it hurt till I wanna throw up...yeah, baby!!!! I know...I'm sick
and all that.

[Peckham]

Post by Paul Cassel
In my personal case, I've made a complete recovery from both - supposedly
very unlikely. I did it by hyper development of my erectors and ab muscles.
I don't recommend this to you because you are you and I am I, but it did
work for me.

Exercise is key. My herniations had me in agony, but I chose sport bike
riding and excercise instead of surgery. A well respected back surgeon in
my area told me that unless the pain became intolerable, or if I lost sexual
function or bowel control or something along those lines, I should avoid
surgery. I took that advice to heart and rehabilitated myself. Now I am
riding dirt bikes.

Disc fusion surgery seems to be performed these days with a greater
frequency than lazer eye surgery. There is a lot of disagreement as to
there being benefits to disc fusion. It does work for some people, not for
others. There is an interesting article in Newsweek about back trouble that
I read on the plane the other day. The article seems to say that back
surgery is done way too much, that exercise (both mental and physical) is
paramount, and that pain is a personal thing. The latter point was very
interesting because some people with really messed up backs have no pain
while others with much less of a condition have a lot.

I am hoping that there are advances in the construction of artificial discs,
in case I need one in the future. In the meantime, excercise and dirt bikes
(trail, and soon trials riding) seem to be doing the trick. I am not pain
free, but it's not so bad that keeps me from doing anything.

Even if you don't have back trouble [yet], exercise may work to keep it at
bay.

Post by Paul Cassel
--

Peckham

[Paul Cassel]

Post by Peckham

Post by Paul Cassel
In my personal case, I've made a complete recovery from both -
supposedly very unlikely. I did it by hyper development of my
erectors and ab muscles. I don't recommend this to you because you
are you and I am I, but it did work for me.

Exercise is key. My herniations had me in agony, but I chose sport
bike riding and excercise instead of surgery. A well respected back
surgeon in my area told me that unless the pain became intolerable,
or if I lost sexual function or bowel control or something along
those lines, I should avoid surgery. I took that advice to heart and
rehabilitated myself. Now I am riding dirt bikes.
Disc fusion surgery seems to be performed these days with a greater
frequency than lazer eye surgery. There is a lot of disagreement as
to there being benefits to disc fusion. It does work for some
people, not for others. There is an interesting article in Newsweek
about back trouble that I read on the plane the other day. The
article seems to say that back surgery is done way too much, that
exercise (both mental and physical) is paramount, and that pain is a
personal thing. The latter point was very interesting because some
people with really messed up backs have no pain while others with
much less of a condition have a lot.
I am hoping that there are advances in the construction of artificial
discs, in case I need one in the future. In the meantime, excercise
and dirt bikes (trail, and soon trials riding) seem to be doing the
trick. I am not pain free, but it's not so bad that keeps me from
doing anything.
Even if you don't have back trouble [yet], exercise may work to keep
it at bay.

Yeah, well I am 5' 8" and used to be 250 lbs mostly lard. My belly lopped
over my belt buckle. Now you put that much weight out in front and the back
is gonna bend and eventually break which is what happened to me. The problem
docs face, IMO, is that their patients are usually lazy fat farts who resent
having to walk around the block much less eat right and get some decent
exercise. So if you wanna help them, you must do so on your own terms like
with surgery.

I mean you read these breakfast cereals (etc.) 'diets' that say, "You'll
lose 5 lbs a week eating this along with a good diet and exercise." Hell,
screw the magic cereal. Just do the good diet and exercise and that'd be the
end of much of this nation's diseases.

I'm hardly a health food nut. I just tone down the stuff I know is bad for
me, but look all around you and what do you see but a sea of suet.

-paul

[Margaret M.]

Post by Paul Cassel
I mean you read these breakfast cereals (etc.) 'diets' that say,
"You'll lose 5 lbs a week eating this along with a good diet and
exercise." Hell, screw the magic cereal. Just do the good diet
and exercise and that'd be the end of much of this nation's
diseases.

The hard cold truth:
http://illwillpress.emosai.net/fatkins.swf
Disclaimer: Profanity, but fucking funny. (how's that for a
disclaimer)
Mag

[Paul Cassel]

Post by Margaret M.

Post by Paul Cassel
I mean you read these breakfast cereals (etc.) 'diets' that say,
"You'll lose 5 lbs a week eating this along with a good diet and
exercise." Hell, screw the magic cereal. Just do the good diet
and exercise and that'd be the end of much of this nation's
diseases.

http://illwillpress.emosai.net/fatkins.swf
Disclaimer: Profanity, but fucking funny. (how's that for a
disclaimer)

Thx for the link. Shit and goddamn, but I can't stand the profanity.

-paul

[Al the Equestrian]

Post by Paul Cassel
Thx for the link. Shit and goddamn, but I can't stand the profanity.

"Just one thing, Dude. Do you have to use so many cuss words?"

"What the fuck you talking about?"

--

[keith s.]

Post by Paul Cassel
Thx for the link. Shit and goddamn, but I can't stand the profanity.
-paul

Then don't fucking watch the one about "Starbucks" (They suck and their coffee
is as bitter as a 50 year old virgin)
Nefarious Necrologist 42nd class
Some people ride, some just like to show off their butt
jewelry once in a while.
Dum vivimus, vivamus
<:(3 )3~~ <:(3 )3~~

[Alan the Horse]

Post by keith s.

Post by Paul Cassel
Thx for the link. Shit and goddamn, but I can't stand the profanity.

Then don't fucking watch the one about "Starbucks" (They suck and their coffee
is as bitter as a 50 year old virgin)

Geez, did you have to say that? I have one of those in the cubicle
next to me; I try not to think about it.

--
owl - '98 FLTRI - The Good Wife
tuna - '98 T409 EN - The Harlot
hot - '83 GR650 "What are you rebelling against?"
mail - '57 6T "Whaddya got?"

[Margaret M.]

Post by Peckham
Exercise is key.
I am hoping that there are advances in the construction of
artificial discs, in case I need one in the future. In the
meantime, excercise and dirt bikes (trail, and soon trials
riding) seem to be doing the trick. I am not pain free, but it's

Ditto on the artificial disc thing! As for dirt biking, I can't wait
to be able to do that again. Right now, I spend half my time on my
cruiser standing on the floorboards because bumps and potholes are
torturous to my back. Dirt is not an option at present. But, I'll be
there again one day. Hopefully, sooner than later. Glad you found
what works for you.
Mag

[Tom]

Post by Margaret M.

Post by Peckham
Exercise is key.
I am hoping that there are advances in the construction of
artificial discs, in case I need one in the future. In the
meantime, excercise and dirt bikes (trail, and soon trials
riding) seem to be doing the trick. I am not pain free, but it's

Ditto on the artificial disc thing! As for dirt biking, I can't wait
to be able to do that again. Right now, I spend half my time on my
cruiser standing on the floorboards because bumps and potholes are
torturous to my back. Dirt is not an option at present. But, I'll be
there again one day. Hopefully, sooner than later. Glad you found
what works for you.
Mag

Actually, with stem cell advances, I don't think it'll be that long
before we can grow our own not-so-artificial replacement discs.

[Bownse]

Post by David Crick
About a month ago I ruptured a disk (it was in the L1 lumbar region).
After three weeks of incredible pain I decided to take the surgical route.
The doctor is saying it may be 6-8 weeks before I can resume full, normal
physical activities but that after 2-3 weeks I should be feeling
substantially better.
I'd be interested in knowing if any of rec.moto denizens have had similar
back problems and how it might have effected their riding habits long term.
Did you ultimately have to switch to a different riding style, or perhaps
an different type of motorcycle entirely?

Trust your Dr. I expected much faster recovery after a fusion in my
neck. Why push something faster than needed when it might seriously
affect you the rest of your life?

[SG]

Post by David Crick
About a month ago I ruptured a disk (it was in the L1 lumbar
region). After three weeks of incredible pain I decided to take
the surgical route. The doctor is saying it may be 6-8 weeks
before I can resume full, normal physical activities but that
after 2-3 weeks I should be feeling substantially better.

I had a ruptured disk and going without surgery was an option in my
case. I went through 8 months of disability and physical therapy, and 3
months where getting out of bed was a struggle.

I'm still subjected to throwing the disk out of alignment periodically,
and part of preventing that on a bike is a backrest.

I can't recommend this enough. I've got a Mustang Vintage Solo with an
adjustable backrest on a Harley Softail. I can ride short distances
without the backrest, but odds are pretty good I'll come back with a
backache.

For those who say "exercise is the key" I'd agree. However, for people
who were never in the habit of it before, human nature tells me a lot
of people will slack off as soon as their back feels better. The
backrest takes a huge portion of the vertical load off your spine, and
there's no substitute for that support, IMO.

[David]

Post by David Crick
About a month ago I ruptured a disk (it was in the L1 lumbar region).
After three weeks of incredible pain I decided to take the surgical
route. The doctor is saying it may be 6-8 weeks before I can resume
full, normal physical activities but that after 2-3 weeks I should be
feeling substantially better.
I'd be interested in knowing if any of rec.moto denizens have had
similar back problems and how it might have effected their riding
habits long term.
Did you ultimately have to switch to a different riding style, or
perhaps an different type of motorcycle entirely?

BTW:

My current ride is a 2001 Suzuki 1200 Bandit. I'm 5'6 and about 183 lbs.
I was up to about 205 lbs back in the fall but lost roughly 30 lbs after
starting the trendy Atkins diet. I was down to about 175 when I my disk
ruptured (L1). I've gained clost to 10 lbs in the past month of laying
around in bed, hitting the carbs pretty hard, and being incredibly
sedintary.

I like the bandit, though there are times I've thought my back might be
better off with something that has a slightly lower center of gravity.
More than once I've strained my back by not coming to a stop with the
bike in a completely upright condition.

I'm not inclined to take the cruiser route but a switch to an old valk
or perhaps the new Rocket III might be kind of a fun.



--

[Tom]

Innit funny how well Atkins works? That's what I think really burns
the balls of those who mock it. Sure, it's gotten WAAAY too trendy
(even to the point of nonsense -- I heard someone in the store saying
they couldn't eat fruit because it was carbs -- I wanted to cry at the
stupidity) but -- it works. Damn near everyone who's overweight who
gives it a serious go manages to lose significant weight without TOO
much difficulty. And if you are saner and don't go overboard (keep
some more complex carbs, etc.) it's extremely gentle on the body.

Yes, it's very fun to mock, but it WORKS -- far better than willpower
alone does. That just pisses some people off to no end *gleeful
chuckle*

[Gniewko]

Post by Tom
Innit funny how well Atkins works? That's what I think really burns
the balls of those who mock it. Sure, it's gotten WAAAY too trendy
(even to the point of nonsense -- I heard someone in the store saying
they couldn't eat fruit because it was carbs -- I wanted to cry at the
stupidity) but -- it works. Damn near everyone who's overweight who
gives it a serious go manages to lose significant weight without TOO
much difficulty. And if you are saner and don't go overboard (keep
some more complex carbs, etc.) it's extremely gentle on the body.
Yes, it's very fun to mock, but it WORKS -- far better than willpower
alone does. That just pisses some people off to no end *gleeful
chuckle*

Well, it works for some people, but it can have serious side-effects.
The reason it works is because cutting out high-glycemic-index carbs
keeps your blood sugar level more constant, and big fluctuations in
blood sugar levels is one factor that leads to weight gain. Also,
eating fewer carbs makes the body more efficient at using stored fat
as an energy source. That's the positive stuff. But the Atkins diet
also lets people eat unhealthy stuff, like too much fat and red meat,
which can cause all kinds of problems.

It's bizarre that people are willing to risk kidney stones, gout, and
atherosclerosis to lose weight, but exercising regularly is too great
a sacrifice. All the positive effects of Atkins (constant blood sugar
level and more efficient fat metabolism) can be obtained without going
on a dangerous diet.

If you don't mind the side effects of weird weight loss schemes, you
could just develop a heroin or crystal meth habit and watch the pounds
melt away even faster.

-Gniewko

[mjt]

Post by David Crick
I'd be interested in knowing if any of rec.moto denizens have had similar
back problems and how it might have effected their riding habits long term.
Did you ultimately have to switch to a different riding style, or perhaps
an different type of motorcycle entirely?

i've had a ruptured disc at L5/S1 and herniated one
at L4/L5 since '94 - back during that timeframe, i
did conservative treatment for about six months
(chiro) to recover.

less than a year ago, i aggravated the area and,
like you, was in a lot of pain and ended up having
an endoscopic discectomy last october. i still have
pain, depending on what i do, and am restricted to
lifting no more than about 30 pounds. i have about
30% numbness in my right leg/foot.

i still ride in my normal 'fashion', but need a rest
about every hour or so. ('99 Hayabusa, 46 y.o.). it
was over six weeks before i was back on the bike
(after surgery). the only thing i've 'changed' is
that i'm a little more deliberate in my movements
(not just on the bike)
.