Neck....again. Sigh

[Wahine]

((((Catrin))))

Here's a little something from the practitioners perspective. It's always a very difficult discussion to have with a patient when you have to tell them something they love is not likely to be that good for them. Keep in mind that we are trained to always think about the worst case scenarios and to recommend the cautious course of action. It comes from having the fear of malpractice driven into us.

Here's my philosophy, I try to explicitly explain to my clients what the worst potential consequences for their actions could be and what I estimate the probability of those consequences are. Then we discuss what the more common results of their actions may be and what the outcome of those results would likely entail. Then I try to help them weigh the pros and cons with special consideration of quality of life.

For example, I had a pro kayaker that suffered a very bad low back disc buldge, he was told by his surgeon that he should never boat again. The reality was that the sitting position in the boat was considered a position of vulnerability and he could further injure his lumbar discs just through regular boating, but the probability of irreversible damage that would impact his function could be lowered dramatically by adjusting his position and by having him do regular exercise. There was however the possibility of very serious injury, for eg paralysis if he chose to run high waterfalls and landed the wrong way. The probability of that was low, but the consequences high. We talked things through extensively and he continues to be a river guide as his profession, but he no longer runs big waterfalls.

The moral of the story is that nothing is black and white and there is often some middle ground that is pretty safe even if it's pretty painful at times. Really it comes down to your own choices in what you can deal with and what isn't worth it in terms of quality of life. But you can only make that choice when you have all the information.

Meanwhile, have you thought about a recumbent?

[OakLeaf]

Aw, Catrin, that stinks. Hugs to you.

[Catrin]

Wahine - thanks for giving your perspective as a practitioner. I understand that he is looking at the worse case scenario, and there is a part of me that would like to set it aside (like that would never happen to me). However, there is a reason why I didn't have a ride in 2013 that was longer than 60 minutes, and there was only 1 that was THAT long Just too much pain and neurological symptoms afterwards. In 2012 the symptoms were worse, even though I was still trying to mountain bike that year.

I think part of my frustration is that I can do so many other things that would seem to be more difficult as far as body mechanics are concerned. I do still have to be cautious however, my OD found yesterday that what he thought was light tendinitis in my good shoulder was actually from nerve entrapment in my neck. As soon as he did some very light neck work, all of my "tendinitis" symptoms were gone and my arm/shoulder was suddenly stronger. It isn't the first time my neck has affected my shoulders, especially that one. I suspect that had something to do with the jumping loaded BB squats that we did 2 weeks ago...yes, yes, I know I shouldn't have done that There is a lot I CAN do, so I've no right to complain.

Someone else here has suggested before I might want to consider a recumbent. I will think about it, but their very low profile scares me. I might consider a recumbent trike, but I am afraid a new bike isn't in the cards for me this year.

Unsure why my OD seems to do so much better with my neck and shoulder than anyone else has been, and WHAT he does seems so...minimal in comparison. The other practitioners I've seen were just as qualified and, considering the list of letters by their names, may have been considered by some to be more qualified. The exercises he has given me are quite different, just a different approach. I wish I could see him more frequently but that is life. There is only so much improvement that can be expected anyway.

[ny biker]

What scares you about the recumbent? Not being seen?

[Catrin]

What scares you about the recumbent? Not being seen?

Bingo, not being seen - it seems a challenge to be seen on a "regular" bike....and they require a different kind of balance. That being said, a trike would settle that problem right off the bat - I really can't risk falling and re-snapping my neck. Of course, it wouldn't be as long of a fall as from a diamond frame

[OakLeaf]

If you're thinking about a 'bent, I'd definitely run it by your doctor first. You can't use your arms and legs as suspension like you do on an upright bike - meaning all the road shocks are transmitted through your spine - and it's exacerbated by the fact that they can't see the road well enough to avoid potholes and rough spots. 'Bent riders I know are pretty miserable on less-than-perfect roads.

As far as being seen, when I'm in the hooks but not a deep tuck on my Synapse, my head is level with my friend's on his Bachetta. I think the main difference as far as conspicuity is on an upright bike you use your clothes, on a 'bent you have to use the seat and/or any luggage.

Something to think about though.

[Catrin]

If you're thinking about a 'bent, I'd definitely run it by your doctor first. You can't use your arms and legs as suspension like you do on an upright bike - meaning all the road shocks are transmitted through your spine - and it's exacerbated by the fact that they can't see the road well enough to avoid potholes and rough spots. 'Bent riders I know are pretty miserable on less-than-perfect roads.

As far as being seen, when I'm in the hooks but not a deep tuck on my Synapse, my head is level with my friend's on his Bachetta. I think the main difference as far as conspicuity is on an upright bike you use your clothes, on a 'bent you have to use the seat and/or any luggage.

Something to think about though.

Thanks Oakleaf, that is very interesting. I don't know that I really want one, there is just something about that riding position that doesn't look fun to me - but of course that doesn't mean much. I didn't realize that about how the road shocks are transmitted, but that makes sense. Something to consider for sure, and as I said, if I DO decide to try it, it won't be this year. My little 20-40 minute rides in the park are certainly far less expensive...if short. I just need to determine if those short rides are doing me more damage than I know, given the consequences that follow most of those rides.