recovering from a herinated disc

[lifehappened200]

I am recovering from a herinated disc. I am determined I won't revisit this pain again. I have contemplated riding a bike to get myself in shape. But I am not sure if it is a good idea to ride a bike with that. Has anyone ever had to face this situation before and if so, would like opinion? Also, if you feel it is a good idea, what would be the best bike to start out with? At the moment, I do not have a bike. Thank you.

[Michelemarrano]

I herniated the 5 Left vertebra in March, 2001 while picking up a dog turd next to my washer-dryer. I no back pain but it felt like I blew out my left hamstring and had pain, tingling down to two of my middle toes on my left foot.

Treatment? Predisone to get me to walk without limping/staggering for 3 weeks. After work I went to the pool each afternoon and swam laps for an hour 5-6 days per week, wearing a mask and snorkel, so I would not have to twist my back in order to breathe. By June, 2001 I was riding a Giant Cypress Hybrid and I was back in the gym doing my upper body routine. I was basically "cured' save for occasional "buzzing" in my left foot after long periods of standing.

In late 2001 I bought a $5 yoga book from Wal-Mart with normal-looking people doing normal-looking stretches--I've been doing these stretches regularly since then and my body really feels better.

I've since lost a lot of inches around my waist as my weekly mileage increased from 20 to 50+ and doing upper body/ab work. I'm symptom free now and thin enough to ride a road bike (which I bought this year, yay!!)

[JLD]

Yep......did a series of herniated discs--then went for surgery..........before all that I was riding--just casual stuff--sometimes it hurt and sometimes it didn't. It was After surgery-for 12 weeks--that I was not allowed to ride-not because I would be bent forward over the bike--but because it was crucial to Not swing the hips up and down-that side to side rocking motion you get if the seat is too high...............Anyway--I switched to a hybrid after all that, and my handlebars are straight across--and I am pretty upright in the saddle--with good seat placement--and I don't get pain. I would trigger some old sciatica--in the process of finding just the right seat to fit my sit bones. I am doing fine since that has been solved...............I would not have had surgery if I had been okay with physio-but-unfotunately for me--conservative treatment didn't fix it............Don't get discouraged--back pain doesn't last forever! Most folks Do resolve on their own.

[lifehappened200]

thank you for your responses and the hope that this will not be forever. Some days it feels that way. I will definitly look into the hybrid bike.

[mcoleman]

My husband had a herniated disc last summer (L3) from putting MY bike in the back of the truck. He continued to ride some, along with therapy and a few spinal injections, until it ruptured in October. He was literally dragging his left leg. He had surgery November 3 and was swimming, with no flip turns, by the beginning of December. Of course this called for a new bike, since he mostly rode a QRoo tri bike. He was back riding his new road bike by February and just finished his first Ironman in June. He did play around with handlebar adjustments, so he was a little more upright. We have just installed aero bars and he is working on getting back into a more traditional position. He just saw his orthopedist yesterday and gave him a picture crossing the finish line at Couer d'Alene!
We were blessed with great doctors and an awsome PT who does triathlons and is a nationally ranked masters swimmer. It really helps to have athletes treating athletes. There is hope for cycling after back problems!

[mtnmama]

I had an acute herniation in August of 2005. Flat on my back for a week - difficult in many ways as a mom of two toddlers. Life changing. As soon as I could stand up, I began a steady and consistent core strengthening habit (under care of my phys rehab doctor sister). I worked with a yoga ball and focused on abs, ham stretching, and back strengthening. I changed my diet a bit and dropped extra weight over the winter along with regular XC skiing. In April I bought a road bike (never been a road cyclist before), thinking that it would be the best way for me to get out the door regularly. It worked. I looked for a entry-level road bike, and took extra care to have it fit properly by a pro. A good seat (properly positioned) is a key component for back injury. Look for the best one you can find that will have a good "grip" & a nice center hole to improve circulation. Proper blood flow to the back muscles is important to reduce stiffness / fatigue. I started steadily, kept my heart rate low for a long time. Consistency is key balanced with good hydration and nutrition. I'm absolutely pain-free. I still do core excercises 3X/week, I ride 20mi every other day with lots of elevation gain, and lots of stretching. I'm riding in my first "race" this weekend, 14 mile 5000' hillclimb, to mark my one year recovery milestone. It's possible, there's no better motivator than to not ever want to experience the pain & immobilization of another disc injury. Best to you, contact me as you wish...

[emjae]

You've gotten some positive responses, and I can only add "ditto" "ditto" to the other comments. Especially swimming and gentle yoga (make sure the teacher is well qualified to instruct you in modified positions), Pilates, or anything that will strengthen the "core". A strong core seems to prevent a lot of what we can do to ourselves. One other activitity I would add is walking (with appropriate shoes). Also, important that a bike fit you properly. It might take time and effort (especially because pain/discomfort makes us not want to move), working with a physical therapist -- whatever it takes. Might take some time -- don't become discouraged...I just know you will do what it takes to end up with a stronger, healthier body.