Serious Neck Problems

[myjas]

I have had this surgery 2x. C6-7 first then C5-6. Both levels were herniated when I had first surgery but neuro would not fix both because C5-6 was not bad enough. After 2nd surgery(3years later) I was back on my bike in 10 days(shhhhh, don't tell dr.). April was a year now since 2nd surgery and I am in the best shape of my life(41). I just went over my handlebars Saturday and my neck is fine. The only thing I really notice nis I can't flod towels cause my chin can't go to my chest. It really doesn't affect me turning my head(that is done at C1-3 mainly).

If you have any questions please feel free to ask. I did alot of research and was suffering with this for a year.

[Faster Pussycat]

Neck pain is just unbearable.

I have not had fusion surgery but I have had quite a number of nerve blocks done for neck pain. I had a head injury two years ago and damaged the facet joints on my c-spine at c1 - c4, damaged c4 disc as well as nerve damage to the greater and lesser sub-occipital nerves.

I used to run before this accident (a collision with a skier) and on advice from physio took up swimming which in turn made the pain so much worse.

I saw many different professional (physio, chiro, acupunture, myotherapies, naturopathy, rolfing, osteo and a few other more out their options) The reality was that it didn't really work. I got short term relief but I was back seeing someone once or twice a week. After two years of this it was financially unsustainable and not getting any better was emotionally distressing.

Earlier this year I refered to a specialist pain management clinic at the hospital where I work. They did my nerve blocks, arranged appropriate physiotherapy and also sessions with a pain management psychologist. I get pretty good pain relief from the blocks (probably around 40-50% improvement in my pain). I can now build up my ride lengths. I had the same problem with not being able to hold my head up....and I lean to the left!

The most helpful thing the pain clinic has done is provide me with intergrated care. Before this I was being bounced from physio, to neurologist, to neurosurgen and back again. They have also helped me strategies to manage the pain - which as chronic pain is likely that I will have to deal with in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I still have some issues out on the road. I am terrified of another head injury! I have restricted movement to the right so I can't ride on my own on busy roads as merging is problematic. I can't check over my shoulder that well so cars can sneak up on me (we ride/drive on the left hand side of the road...just so that makes sense :lol: )

My balance is also pretty rubbish but this is a risk of doing blocks/ablations on the upper c-spine joints.

But all in all I am much better than I was.

[shootingstar]

Earlier this year I refered to a specialist pain management clinic at the hospital where I work. They did my nerve blocks, arranged appropriate physiotherapy and also sessions with a pain management psychologist. I get pretty good pain relief from the blocks (probably around 40-50% improvement in my pain). I can now build up my ride lengths. I had the same problem with not being able to hold my head up....and I lean to the left!

The most helpful thing the pain clinic has done is provide me with intergrated care. Before this I was being bounced from physio, to neurologist, to neurosurgen and back again. They have also helped me strategies to manage the pain - which as chronic pain is likely that I will have to deal with in some capacity for the rest of my life.

I still have some issues out on the road. I am terrified of another head injury! I have restricted movement to the right so I can't ride on my own on busy roads as merging is problematic. I can't check over my shoulder that well so cars can sneak up on me (we ride/drive on the left hand side of the road...just so that makes sense :lol: )

My balance is also pretty rubbish but this is a risk of doing blocks/ablations on the upper c-spine joints.

But all in all I am much better than I was.

Wow, pcat you've been through alot re your neck/spine problems and diagnoses.

Have you at all considered cycling on a recumbent bike?
Perhaps someone else here can speak more on the experience of cycling on recumbent bike, since I'm not sure how shoulder -checking for traffic works in reality.

[Faster Pussycat]

Hi Shootingstar,

I have not thought of a recumbent bike as an option but is something I should look into. The traffic issues shake my confidence a little but i tend to be OK in groups. Sydney is also not particularly cyclist friendly that I worry I would be even less visible on a recumbent.

When I first started on the road bike (having not been on a bike for 15 years) I thought it was all good until at one point I had to do a sharp, right hand turn and I just couldn't get around as I couldn't "look where I wanted to go"

My ego hurt more than my knee as I ran into the gutter