surgery

[jessmarimba]

Back surgery is really very individual. But I know several mountain bikers who have broken vertebrae in that area that have been fused, and most have returned to ride again.

[shellkay1212]

YAY! I am determined for sure. I watched Ride Across the Sky and some lady had a rod in her back and did Leadville. Heck, I can do Indiana for sure then!

ANd road bike...I'm hoping the angle of my neck when I ride won't be a problem.

[jessmarimba]

Haha. She and her husband actually own a cross-country ski area near Leadville - I'd really like to meet her! I've got my lower thoracic (T11-L1) screwed together from a bike wreck, too. It isn't fully fused so there are things I'm not allowed to do, but I'm getting to the point where I barely notice it. I imagine the cervical vertebrae are a little different but you can probably retain most of your fitness while you recover since you'd likely just have a neck brace, right?

[shellkay1212]

They didn't mention a neck brace. They said I could begin walking right away. I can swim after the incision heals. And biking on one of my more upright bikes after a couple weeks. I can live with that.

I asked if I would be able to triathlon this summer. She said: could you do it before?

I thought: AHEM!!! YES!

But, I can't let it go and risk permanent nerve damage. oi.