[XRay]

Hey all,

Looking for some information. I have a bulging disc in my lower back that I've been struggling with for the last several months. I'll likely be having surgery (i.e. a microdiscectomy or a discectomy) in the next 4 to 6 weeks.

Here's my question. Anyone have any experience in this area? Long term, I mean. Anyone have similar issues/surgery and then go on to long and fruitful motorcycle life?

Regards. -Jay

 

[AngryHatter]

Maybe they can install a built in sissy bar?
Hope it works out.

 

[Paulie]

Jay,
sorry to hear about the bad back. Don't know anything about slipped disks but I'm sure you'll need some extra support. Some have mentioned lifting harnesses that they sell at Home Depot or weight lifting belts something like that.

Good Luck

 

[roadsnakes]

"microdiscectomy or a discectomy"

That`s what I had about three years ago. Took a couple months before I rode again. DRIVERS BACKREST was essential.

Now I`m looking at more radical surgery. Double Fusion! I don`t know whern or if I`ll be riding again!

 

[scythefwd]

I agree with paulie. Look into a lifting belt. Also, take your time getting back on the bike. I got back on after a wreck (had to go order parts and get tape, antisceptic, and gauze) but those were not serious stuff. If your back is injured... wait untill it is fully healed and only do a little at a time after that. Work your way back into it. I have known several people that have had back work done (one had 2 or 3 disks fused together) than can still ride. Please for the love of all that is good dont push it.

 

[Dragoon]

I have two inoperable issues with my back. I was told by my pain specialist not to ride a bike and to unload the 1 hour a day commute in the car. I get given very strong narcotics when I have to travel and also paralyzers for my legs when I go over seas because of the time it takes on the plane. So far I have ignored both their suggestions. I have lived with the pain for 10 years now ( I take a very strong pain killers every night after work when I get finished with my driving). Since getting my bike again I have actually done some good for my back because I have had to force my self into a good posture when I ride and the wind actually strengthens the lower back muscles. It sound strange but my Dr now thinks that riding, in measured quantities is not so bad, however, all can be ruined by one wicked bump in the road. I would think if the surgery works, then you should be good to go with some sort of support as suggested, your surgeon can actually recommend and sometimes prescribe a special support ( don’t tell him it is for riding, they tend not to like that).

Good luck and I hop all turns out well.

Cheers

 

[XRay]

Thanks for all the responses, guys. Just the kind of information I'm looking for.

I'm meeting with the orthopedic surgeon in about 3 weeks and we'll see just how extensive this surgery will be. I'll know more then.

Thanks again. -Jay

 

[webby]

I go to the back doctor this coming Wednesday. I already had an mri and it shows 3 bulging disks and also spinal stenous, which is the narrowing of the hole in your vertabre where the nerves run thru. I have problems walking on my left leg, it kind of wants to go stiff. Good luck to you and lets us know how you turn out.

 

[XRay]

Good luck to you as well, webby. My problem is in my leg too. I don't have a whole lot of back pain, but my right leg goes numb due to a disc that's pressing on the sciatic nerve on the right side.

Back problems suck. It sounds like we're in a similar boat, I'll try to keep you posted, and you do the same.

Again, best of luck. -Jay

 

[webby]

Hey xray, Did you read my post about the 06 Strat?

 

[rat]

Xray... numbness is good... when that nerve gets pinched and the pain starts, it's incredible.

I've got a bulging disc in my SI joint, and up in my neck... that one affects my left arm, again, with incredible pain. My left arm is kinda numb and tingly all the time, and my lower back constantly hurts... but the leg pain faded. No surgeries for me, I'm a little freaky about 'em.

Good luck on your surgery, you'll ride again.

 

[E. Jay Stephens]

Back Pain

I had arthritic pain in my back and had surgery two years ago this month.

Don't go by me, but I have had absolutely no problems since then as far as riding is concerned.

Had my left knee replaced 4 weeks ago next Tuesday and have already been released by the Physical Therapists. They say they cannot do any-
thing further for me, so I would imagine I will be back on shortly from that. I have full range of motion, etc., so God is good.

 

[jmagna 750]

x-ray I work for an orthopaedic group that has a spine specialist . Have you had any epidural blocks yet? Sometimes this procedure will take care of the swelling that causes the nerve to be compressed and hurt. The two procedures you listed are the simplest back surgeries to have. The other posts are right about taking it easy after surgery. You feel good and try to do to much too soon and could damage what was fixed. We have had several bikers have the surgery you listed and return to biking. Good luck on your surgery. JM 750

 

[Tangle Eye]

Xray - just by coincidence I was flipping through the J & P Cycles catalog tonight and saw a back support that might help you. Here's the link:

http://www.jpcycles.com/productgroup.aspx?GID=26D9BC58-8444-4E38-A668-7CA776757CEB&search=back support&store=All&page=1

 

[eclynn1]

I had back surgery in 1993, disk fragments were pressing against the syatic nerve and causing pain from the lower back all the way down the leg on my left side. The Dr. told me my options the first time I went to see him. He already had an MRI and was looking at the results. He did tell me the longer I put it off, the more nerve damage I would do. So I decided right then to get it taken care of. Less than a week later, it was a done deal. Recovery seemed like it took forever, it was actually only 2-3 months total. I did the exercises faithfully, and did exactly as the Dr. said, and have'nt had any more trouble with my back. I did have knee surgery last February though, all is well there too. Best of luck to you, hope yours turns out as well as mine did.....

 

[lee-r]

I blew out my first disc (L5-S1) when I was 24. I'm 41 now. Over the years I had eleven epidural blocks and finally had surgery (L4-L5) when I was 38. I just couldnt take it anymore... You will know when you reach that point.

The most important thing to do post-op is what ever your doc says to do, or not do. Dont lift greater than 5 lbs... Dont sit for longer than 10 minutes without a 5 minute break (that goes for driving, too)... Just follow the rules...

I still play racquetball 2x a week, I still play volleyball 2x a week, and I still ride. A comforatable seat with a drivers backrest is worth every penny.

Go slow, take it easy, and dont rush your recovery. You'll be back......

-Lee

 

[Jon Krol]

Back surgery

I had back surgery in 1989. Doctor removed 1/3rd of a ruptured disc in my lower back, I don't remember the L#, 5 or 7 I think. I have been riding now for 5 years and the riding for me causes no additional pain. I had a ruptured disc and at the time I was loosing sensation in my foot, calf and thigh. I lost muscle control in my foot and I walked like frankenstein for a while dragging my foot until the nerve endings repaired themselves after surgery. Still have slight residual numbness in my foot but walk ok. It took a couple of years for my back to get to the point where I didn't notice that it had been cut on. I still have lower back pain on occasion after doing heavy lifting or carrying, I like to say my back gets tired now. However, riding doesn't affect it any worse than any other activity that puts stress on your lower back, maybe less. The pain is comparable to a dull ache and usually a couple of asprin knocks it out. My particular injury was severe for a disc injury, hope your's is not quite as bad.

 

[T-bone28]

i have a Fusion between L5 and S1 my last surgery was a tear ago and m still having trouble. I bought a mustang seat with a back rest i think it a must. So far riding seems to help me. The more i ride seems like the less troble I have.One piece of advise. you got to have patince. and a lot of it.Dont give up. Hope all goes well.

 

[Kermitdafrog]

My wife (age 57 who rides with me) has degenerative disc disease and had a fusion of 3 upper vertebrae last year. She has lived in pretty much constant pain for 20 years, and will be talking to the surgeon this coming week regarding further surgery for more deteriorated discs shown in her MRI she had a week or so ago. She has upper, middle, and lower issues now.

My point is, for pain relief, check into "Stadol" or it's generic equivalent. It is an inhaler originally intended for migraine's. She has been taking it for well over 15 years (with no increase in dosage), and it has worked very well for her. Ask your physician about it.

She has done the usual epidurals with the steroid side effects and gave that up, and pain management clinics, but the Stadol seems to have helped the most.

Rick

 

[webby]

I see that recovery takes 2-3 months? I wouldn't want to be off work that long. I thought recovery was like 6-8 weeks and that is bad enough. My back doesn't bother me when riding,sitting ,etc. I just have trouble walking on my left leg. Boy, growing old ain't for sissy's! I 'll see what the doc says this Wednesday. I know that I am not looking forward to it. I have been waiting like 3 months just to see the doc. Xray, does you Strat take the bumps good?