Injured

Road cycling & upcoming rides
Fitzy41
Posts: 14
Joined: 18 Jun 2013, 16:50

Postby Fitzy41 » 24 Sep 2014, 08:43

All,

My apologies if this is in the wrong spot, but I wanted to hear from road cyclists. I was hoping to learn a little more about anyone that has had a lower back issue and still been able to ride. I'm not asking for any medical advice but would rather hear from anyone that has had a diagnosed back issue and still been able to ride.

After the Rookwood crit on Sunday, I felt a little stiffness in my hip and by the end of the day, I was unable to walk. Since Monday and even today, I have been in constant pain all down left leg. At present I can only walk about 10-15 metres before I'm in serious pain.

I had an MRI done, which wasn't encouraging. L4 herniated disc, L5 stenosis, nerve, disc degeneration etc.

Would be grateful to hear from anyone that has had issues with disc, spinal issues, surgery of any type that have since got back on the bike.

Like many of us cycling is something that gives me great pleasure. Outside my family, its my first love. I am very scared at the prospect that its now something that I "should not do". Anyone have any experiences they could share? Anyone had surgery and still got back on the bike?

Simon

Strawburger
Posts: 595
Joined: 04 Mar 2009, 08:27

Postby Strawburger » 24 Sep 2014, 09:34

Simon,

If you haven't already, it is worthwhile getting a professional bike fit. Every bike comes assembled with a generic setup, indented to be modified to suit, however most just jump on and ride. I can't believe how much modification I had to do to my last bike to make it "fit".

I had lower back pain from footballing injuries. Not nearly as bad as yours or others in the club. Once I had the bike fitted correctly I no longer suffer from any pain after hours in the saddle.

If the pain is so bad, maybe look at recumbents. This seems to work for those with cronic back pain.

andrewm
Posts: 362
Joined: 12 Nov 2011, 08:45

Postby andrewm » 24 Sep 2014, 10:06

I have had lower back problems.

+1 on the bike fit.

Also core, core and more core. Find some good yoga and or Pilates classes. Small, to make sure your form is good.

Work a desk job? Bet you have chronically tight hip flexors. They will wreak havoc with your lower back. So flexability as well as core.

A good physio will be a great help to you as well.

User avatar
JoTheBuilder
Posts: 1500
Joined: 19 Feb 2011, 15:32

Postby JoTheBuilder » 24 Sep 2014, 10:37

I am sure Michele P won't mind me mentioning that she has also had some back issues over the last 2 years. Could be worth chatting to her if you can find her on Facebook.

Michele, Eleri and I go to Marrickville Yoga Centre (as does Christian and Peter B). They have yoga therapy on Thu afternoons for people with injuries and it's been a real benefit for Christian.

+1,984,982 for a bike fit. Check out Body Mechanic in Kirribilli. Blair is a physio as well as a cyclist so can help with your injuries while doing the fit. Also comes with the benefit of being partly refundable if you have private health insurance.

kiwiames
Posts: 210
Joined: 06 Jul 2008, 17:56
Location: Stanmore

Postby kiwiames » 24 Sep 2014, 10:56

Core strength, core strength, core strength x 1 million.

Without this you are stuffed.

'Core' is everything from the pelvis to the shoulders, ie your trunk - and especially the posterior chain ie your glutes and hamstrings.

I had 2 years worth of back/pelvis/hip issues that kept me off the bike for well over a year, I only got it solved when I finally found the best physio (I am bias but I call him a genius) after my last ditch attempt to get it solved, otherwise I had an epidural injection waiting for me. He was my 8th physio I tried - after just a couple months I was back on the bike with no issues - a miracle after all that.

So the morale of the story - Core and get the bike fit sorted.


Good luck and don't give up.


Cheers
Amy.

User avatar
mikesbytes
Posts: 6991
Joined: 13 Nov 2006, 13:48
Location: Tempe
Contact:

Postby mikesbytes » 24 Sep 2014, 12:31

It's a serious problem you have and it can't be more highly stressed that you get expert advice before embarking on a cure.

You can't trade your back in on a new one. Please seek out the expert advice before embarking on any generic solution.
Last edited by mikesbytes on 24 Sep 2014, 20:11, edited 1 time in total.

jcaley
Posts: 461
Joined: 25 Oct 2012, 07:14

Postby jcaley » 24 Sep 2014, 14:32

I had a couple of lower back episodes a year or so ago - I was unable to walk unassisted for a couple of days each time. MRI showed one of the lower discs is squished and was bulging a bit. Sitting at a desk was part of the problem. After I could walk again, swimming hurt as did running and walking but cycling was fine. So I transferred my exercise to bikes. I had weak back muscles which were not supporting my spine very well. I now do exercises to try to address that. I have sometimes got some lower back pain after an hour in the drops with my current road bike but it's probably too long the top tube - maybe compounded by not enough flexibility.

Fitzy41
Posts: 14
Joined: 18 Jun 2013, 16:50

Postby Fitzy41 » 24 Sep 2014, 15:55

Team DH,

Thank you to all for responding to my post. The bike fit was one of the first things that I did. I went to a professional fitter that's quite well know/recommended and spent a day having my bike fitted. I do also work in a desk job and are guilty of not concentrating on my core as much as I should. Interestingly sitting is the only position that gives me relief right now. Standing and laying down both hurt...and a lot.

My injury occurred many years ago from doing weights and pulling down a bar bell. I twisted my torso rather facing it straight on. Taking up cycling has been a pure joy as doing weights and gym work was out of the question for me. I never had much back pain when I rode, sometimes a dull ache which only occurred after 70-80kms +. It would ease as soon as I stood on the pedals and stretched. There was the odd occassion after a longer ride where I would have a dull ache in my left hip. That appears to have been the warning signs of sciatica.

I have an appointment in two weeks with a sport medicine, rehabilitation physician who specialises in spinal conditions. Given the pain I am in at the moment, I figure I will be told to just take up swimming. I hope that's not the case, but at the moment I'm more concerned with being able to walk properly again and living pain free.


Thanks all.
Simon

User avatar
JoTheBuilder
Posts: 1500
Joined: 19 Feb 2011, 15:32

Postby JoTheBuilder » 24 Sep 2014, 16:36

Swimming is OK... :lol:

User avatar
Trouty
Posts: 1214
Joined: 09 May 2007, 13:23

Postby Trouty » 24 Sep 2014, 19:03

As Amy said, and she has been to see many experts. Core, core, and more core. Weak core, makes the rest of the attached areas work harder.


Return to “Road”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 46 guests