Cycling after back surgery
Discussion
As per Sciatica thread on Health just had surgery on L5 to fix badly prolapsed disc. This was 11 days ago.
Surgeon removed two lumps one the size of a grape. He reckons on cycling after 2 weeks, but it certainly doesn't feel like it.
I started cycling last May after 30 years off a bike, a to get fit & also to lose some weight. Will be 60 in a couple of months.
Anyone any experience of this?
Surgeon removed two lumps one the size of a grape. He reckons on cycling after 2 weeks, but it certainly doesn't feel like it.
I started cycling last May after 30 years off a bike, a to get fit & also to lose some weight. Will be 60 in a couple of months.
Anyone any experience of this?
I've had L4-L5 fused together when I was 18. 3 years later I prolapsed L5-L6 (I have an additional lumbar vertebrae) Luckily this settled, and I've 'managed' it for the past 25 years. At this point, I was swimming 50-60k a week, so that was the end of that.
My advice, keep moving, sitting/lying around is the worse thing you can do. Take some painkillers and an anti inflammatory as this will help you to move, and aids in reducing pressure from fluid build up. Just take it easy, your body will soon tell you what you're capable of doing. You should be back to normal pretty soon.
My advice, keep moving, sitting/lying around is the worse thing you can do. Take some painkillers and an anti inflammatory as this will help you to move, and aids in reducing pressure from fluid build up. Just take it easy, your body will soon tell you what you're capable of doing. You should be back to normal pretty soon.
Im 6 months post op l4 to s1 instrumented fusion surgeon said lay off running for 12 months and just about feel like i could tackle riding outside but not got a scan to see how its going till june which is a clever tactic by the surgeon so probably wont risk it.
Feel pretty great though compared to pre op hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel and dont rush it plenty of time its a very sensitive part of the body that needs to be respected.
Previously very active marathons and sportives very regularly so i know how you feel.
I personally have found having something else to focus on has helped, im self employed so have put all my extra energy into that and it has proved time well spent.
Feel pretty great though compared to pre op hopefully there is light at the end of the tunnel and dont rush it plenty of time its a very sensitive part of the body that needs to be respected.
Previously very active marathons and sportives very regularly so i know how you feel.
I personally have found having something else to focus on has helped, im self employed so have put all my extra energy into that and it has proved time well spent.
Just to add i got a recumbent bike for the garage before the op to stop me getting fat but after a while realised i could handle a spin/normal excercise bike so swapped it for that.
Or get a turbo trainer for yours for now, the biggest risk is more the falling off than the actual cycling imo (ask your surgeon first)
Or get a turbo trainer for yours for now, the biggest risk is more the falling off than the actual cycling imo (ask your surgeon first)
I ended up with a balloon kyphoplasty to help fix a compression fracture of my T12. I fractured by cocycx too in the same accident but that seemed to heal itself much better than the T12. The advice above about keeping moving is spot on. I got a stand up desk at work and try to avoid sitting down for long periods. Sometimes it is unavoidable (flights etc). I reckon it took me about six months post op to get back so I could do more than about an hour without it being really painful. I also had a proper cyclefit which helped a lot and I saw a specialist strength and conditioning trainer with whom I have done a lot of work to increase mobility and strength. Although i am not sure how comparable the operations are for me it was a slow process but one that was worth it. Good luck with the recovery.
had an op 5 years ago for 3 prolapsed discs L2/3 3/4 and 4/5
stick with the prescribed physio (I hope there is some), work on the stretching and then have a professional bike fit so you don't damage yourself.
I looked really weird on the bike at first as I was so upright but by taking it slowly and carefully I now look normal (on a bike!)
It does take time though, and I still get back ache, but just don't rush it
stick with the prescribed physio (I hope there is some), work on the stretching and then have a professional bike fit so you don't damage yourself.
I looked really weird on the bike at first as I was so upright but by taking it slowly and carefully I now look normal (on a bike!)
It does take time though, and I still get back ache, but just don't rush it
keirik said:
all what he said
Micro discectomy L4/L5 for me, can happily ride 4 days a week and long weekend rides now.Take it easy, build up, listen to your body. Usuals.
Take care on prevention as another post stated, I have a raising desk, try and spend the day 50/50 sitting/standing but make sure I walk about as well. Try and do exercises/stretches (I'm not good at that). Your back will feel fine and you'll be tempted to do things you shouldn't, this will cause sciatica again, well it did for me.
keirik said:
had an op 5 years ago for 3 prolapsed discs L2/3 3/4 and 4/5
Very similar here, all 3 discs prolapsed, but fortunately no invasive surgery needed. I had just done the 2013 Alp d'Huez triathlon, so was vey fit. Then it all went downhill. The consultant said I probably wouldn't run again. Ever.
I tried to do my exercises too quickly and I actually got catastrophically worse - the result was I was bedbound for a fortnight and doing my business in a pan. I was back to square 1; here's the general process that ultimately worked:
September 2013: Gentle flexibility and stretching only, alternating physio and chiro each week for 3 months. Floating daily for 30 minutes in a hot tub to take pressure off spine. Lots of drugs. Gentle precarious walking and very careful movements; no lifting anything up.
Next 3 months: All the above, plus very gentle cross-trainer for 20 minutes a day, i.e. no impact. No more physio, but monthly chiro.
Next 3 months: As above, plus once a week swimming (no breaststroke as it overextends the back), and 1 very gentle 30 minute mountain bike ride on smooth surfaces and soft tyres, chiro down to quarterly.
Next 3 months: As above, enjoying proper MTB again, back to road riding, then my first gentle run.
2015: I did the Strathpuffer 24h MTB race, enjoying road riding again and started to restore running speed. No letup on the exercises.
2016: I ran my first ever sub-40min 10K, my back was stronger than it had ever been. Still doing the exercises.
2017: I'm entering some cycling races again, this morning's 15-mile road bike commute was my fastest ever by 2 minutes. But not before doing my exercises.
I continue with regular hot tub and quarterly chiro, and whilst I still get the occasional scary split-second twinge, the key to overall improvement has been the relentless morning-and-night core and flexibility exercises, and probably the hot tub (a wooden deep round one, not a plastic jacuzzi).
If you think you might be overdoing it, then you probably are, so ease off, otherwise you'll be back to square 1.
Be very gentle with yourself and patient - the restoration to strength will come.
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