Herniated discs and motorcycle riding

[short stop]

I had what I thought were neck/upper spine problems for years (it turned out to be a muscular issue), but resulted in lots of pain and tingling through my arms and hands. I don't have any personal experience with it, but have you looked into spinal decompression therapy? I had a co-worker with herniated discs and horrible sciatica, and spinal decompression worked wonders for him.

[deuce]

Hey, does anybody with a sportbike use a cane? Any suggestions for how to carry one on the bike?
/QUOTE]

Dr. Gregory House
I had sciatica when I was FOURTEEN (honest) and I couldn't get off my back for two weeks... can't imagine the kind of pain herniated discs put you through! Get well soon OP...

[zeniceguy]

When I used to go over a bump on my 21 yea old gixxer with hard race susp I used to want to jump off the bike in pain, but never stopped riding.

If im gonna be in pain Im at least gonna do what makes me happy while im hurting!

another day down and I feel great, I would try drinking the big glass of milk in the morning. I know how stupid it sounds but I swear to god its working for me. (or ala or anyone else)

[JonnyWyshbone]

@zeniceguy dude at this point I'm willing to try anything,lol @ anybody feeling sciatica pain...first thing I was told by specialist the other day that more often than not sciatica is a symptom of a bigger problem, it doesnt usually present without provocation maybe do what I did an pretty much beg a doctor to refer you for an MRI

[promac]

Before you consider surgery, get a referral to the Canadian Back Institute. The surgeon I spoke to advised it & told me he wouldn't operate unless I came crawling & begging to him in pain. I took his advice and went from walking hunched over like an old man & bad sciatica down to my calves to pain free, mountain biking, running & sprint triathlons with CBI's physiotherapy & lifestyle retraining.


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[Hawk]

I agree with wanting to cut your leg off to stop the pain of a bad disc. I did mine 3 years ago lifting weights. L4-5 and MRI shows a piece broken off the disc. Talked to what's considered the best back doc in Toronto at St. Michaels. This guy teaches and designs surgery tools for operations. As others have said, it's 50/50 chance, he could make it better or worse. The doc recommended I try to live with it if possible. I did the NSAID's and they ended up hurting my stomach. Therapy guy said I should forget about biking because of the constant small vibrations. At this time I'm pain free, and absolutely no medications. Every 4 -5 months I go in for a cortisone shot into my spine and it stops any inflamation. This is done at a pain clinic, not by my family doctor. I also wear a back support now when riding just as a precaution against vibrations. Bottom line, I'm still out there riding when everyone said to quit. FYI, not all pain clinics are the same, I tried a few before I found the right one.
My dentist had the operation several years ago, and still uses painkillers and anti-inflamation meds and gets the pain, so he's really no better off, plus he said the rehab was a ***** (off work for 4 months)

[mystifier]

I had sciatica for 2 years. Physio never helped, massages gave temp relief, acupuncture did nothing. Kind of went away on it's own after over 2 years. (It started when I was about 23)

Then I injured myself again at the gym about 8 months ago and the sciatica is back. So goddamn annoying, but since nothing helped last time- not sure what to do this time other then a few stretches here and there that don't really help

[TorontoBoy]

A lot of different types of back issues have been discussed in this thread. Though they all lead to pain and possible referred pain, the causes may be different.

A possible conservative treatment (as opposed to surgery, definitely non-conservative) is a form of spinal orthosis or back brace. The orthopods may not consider this option, but it might help some so you should ask. A legit back orthotic is not made of neoprene, like the sales guys sometimes wear at Home Depot. These are custom metal and leather devices that are sturdy and designed to do a couple of jobs:
-restrict your trunk motion (front/back, left/right, twisting)
-control and support your spine's alignment
-unload the spinal column by increasing intra-abdominal pressure

Your guts are a relatively incompressible fluid mass. Ab, trunk and back muscles squeeze this mass, increase intra-abdominal pressure and provide support for your spine. Strong core muscles can unload the thoracic and lumbar discs by 30-50%. A spinal orthosis can supplement this. For lower back pain these braces are worn just above your hip bones. Worn tightly the brace squeezes this mass even more, greatly increasing intra-abdominal pressure to the point where it may counteract the natural forces of gravity, thereby relieving you of certain types of pain, such as from burst fractures.

Ask your orthopod and possibly visit an orthotist that specializes in spinal braces. I am not a doc, do not regularly use one, and have never ridden my bike with one on. I would guess that a more upright riding position would be better with a back brace.

[JonnyWyshbone]

Hey just a quick update I'm waiting to see my doc on wed I'm gonna see if he'll refer me to the CBI, I have an appt for an EMG(?) at St mikes and a meeting with a neurosurgeon a couple of weeks after. Hey how will I be able to gauge when I should try to return to work, is there some sort of guide or will they make me do follow up MRI? Gotta send thanks again for all the different info it's really helping me to make a proper decision, it's most appreciated

[dieselxx]

Sorry to hear about your pain johnny. But I can relate. I am 31 now but had surgery in may of 2009, had my L4-L5 shaved down a bit.
Let me tell you from experience to try all conservative methods first before you jump to surgery.
I had severe crippling back pain for years before this surgery, at least 5 years. I tried everything twice.
Physio, which I did anyway because of going to the gym for the past 15 years lol, accupuncture (did nothing for me)
Injections (also did nothing) spinal decompression (absolutely nothing lol)
Pain killers and anti inflamms didnt even touch it.
I went from times throughout the years being bed ridden and then getting better to just walking with a small limp.
So it does get better over time but never where you were.
The key is to get a good doctor. Your family dr doesn't know jack about these problems so seeing a specialist is key.
Lucky for me I did research and found a great doctor down on bay st. He is head doctor for the team canada juniors and he referred me to a ortho surgeon.
My first visit with surgeon I opted not for surgery and he did too as I was still walking and able to work at 70% (i'm and electrician) but the constant groin pain and toe and leg pain was unbearable. I told him I would be back if I couldn't walk anymore lol. Well not even 6 months after visiting him I was in excruciating pain, sleeping 2hrs a night on my knees at the edge of a chair and dragging my leg everywhere with me. Had to take time off of work and I really didnt get better after 3 months. Its unbearable on both body and mind so I feel you.
So I saw ortho again and agreed to surgery since i had signs of nerve damage and couldn't lift my leg off the floor lol.
I waited two more months and finally got the surgery. He guaranteed to get rid of my leg pain but couldn't guarantee the back pain would go away. At the time the leg pain was worse so I didn't care.
Let me tell you it was 1hr and a half surgery and I walked out of there the same day feeling so much greater. What I would do to get back those 5 years of suffering.
Anyway, last year I got my m2 and now ride a ninja 250r and having a blast riding and having my life back.
One thing to realize, there are ups and downs to surgery being you will never be 100% anymore but can be close to it.
I feel great and would do it again.
Keep your head up and hope everything works out for you.
Also don't listen to others that just can't relate to you because they don't have the same problem as you, they end up putting you down more than anything and telling you its all in your head. Don't listen
Hope you get better soon, and yes you will ride again!
Try the most least invasive surgery first, if the first thing your specialist says is fusion, go get another opinion
Cheers

[JonnyWyshbone]

@dieselxx, dude that sounds exactly like the spot I'm in right now. Unless I take my painkillers and the anti inflammatory my whole right leg just continues to get more and more inflamed until I give in and take more meds. Now I'm the last guy in the world who likes to take any kind of pills to get better, but sometimes the pain is so crazy I'm almost divin for the pills. I have a meeting soon with neurosurgeon and I think I'm just gonna walk into his office, drop a briefcase full of money or equal value of cocaine or whatever, and just beg the dude to take whatever jumper cable off my friggin *** cheek cuz I swear to god I keep feeling like I'm being "zapped", I dunno if that makes any sense but that's what it feels like sometimes. Hell at this point, I'm willing to just do a complete lower body transplant with a chimpanzee or sumthin, with what I'm goin thru at this point, anything would be more fun than this.

I think because of the pills I've been in a bit of denial. I take them and I don't feel nuthin, as the dose wears off tho I can start to feel a burn. i swear i want to pitch the bottle thru the wall I cant stand this feel good/feel like **** back and forth game, I swear I would rather be in pain all the time than to keep having this carpet yanked out from under me on an almost daily basis. I dont want to have surgery but I don't want to live my life taking pills just to feel "normal". I just want to go for a jog. I swear I think that'll be the first thing I do if I can get better. I was in pretty good shape before this situation bit me. My wife is doin the insanity vids and they look like a really good challenge, but right now I'm having difficulty putting on my own socks and getting my treadmill over 1.5, so I don't see that in my near future

@shortstop, ya somebody had brought one of those anti gravity backboard things to my house to borrow(my wife thought it was some sort of sex swing, god bless her, lmao:P) for decompression, but I figured fore I jumped on it I would ask my physiotherapist for her opinion. She advised me against usin it only because of the state of my herniations she couldn't say it wouldnt cause more nerve compression, which I had a ******** of already. I wish I had some stem cells kickin around I would have grown myself a new spine yesterday! I'm just hoping I don't have permanent nerve damage, walkin with a cane is a PITA, and I could do without the constant "zaps"

[JonnyWyshbone]

@ torontoboy, I'm still waiting for this surgeon to even see my *** but I'm gonna ask him about the brace. I think I may also ask him how much to inject my spine with adamantium so I don't gotta go through this ever again

[dieselxx]

I feel your pain. But at least the pills do something for you to control your pain. For me they did nothing only surgery worked.
If you can hang on longer wait, it may go away on its own, it did for me several times over a lot of years. However in the end I had do do the surgery.
I always felt like cutting my leg off too from the zapping, numbness burning and all the other lovely stuff.
Great that you have someone that supports you like your wife, it helps. I had my girlfriend with me all the time supporting me when I was down.
Look at it this way, your life right now: no riding, no gym or running, no work, no fun.
Your life later: riding, running and back to work
Hope you do well

[Zag]

When I had similar symptoms 4 years ago, 99% of pain was caused by WSIB jerks.

Watch this and you will be ok.

[dieselxx]

When I had similar symptoms 4 years ago, 99% of pain was caused by WSIB jerks.

Watch this and you will be ok.

Don't get me started on WSIB. Crooks lol
Great video

[Zag]

Don't get me started on WSIB. Crooks lol
Great video

Lol..I can understand that. They do their best to make any injured worker a psycho. Well, I survived.

[dantonios]

Wow, this thread brings up a lot of fresh memories.

About 9 months ago I started experiencing back pain with radiation down the leg. I took up physio and was religiously following the excercise and stretching routine provided to me. This was in additon to attending physio sessions and accupuncture for 6 months.

Approximately 3 months ago I collapsed on the floor unable to stand. After waiting it out about 1 week I hobbled in to see a neurosurgeon. After an MRI showed that I had a significant L5 S1 Hernia with impingement on the left sciatic nerve and dural sac.

I had a laminectomy and disectomy surgey about 2 months ago. I can honestly say that in my case this was a life saver. The pain is completely gone and I am back to almost normal. I have been on some shorter term rides with no issues. I am still following a religious stretching and core strengthening routine, but so far so good.

The pain that I experienced leading up to the surgery was complete nerve pain and is really hard to explain. To say it is blinding is an understatement and pain medication did nothing but take the edge off. I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes at a time and sitting was not possible. Laying on your back for a month is an eye openning experience.

As a note; 90% of herniations will clear up on their own with appropriate physio routines or more conservative treatments. They are generally cautious about doing the surgeries until a consistent pain/mobility pattern has been established and the sufferer is trying other routes. The surgery while routine is considered fairly serious. As one of the posters mentioned, urinating or defecating on yourself will get you into emergency surgery in a hurry. This is an indication that there are serious nerve issues wiht potential for lasting damage.

[Scudzo_2]

I suffered with sciatica (sp?) about 5 years ago, and one of the most comfortable places I knew was on the bike. My physiotherapist gave me grief up until she saw the position the bike put my lower back into, then gave me the green light to continue riding. Driving the cage was very painful, and getting off and on the bike was really really painful, but once on the bike, I was good.

[Zag]

Wow, this thread brings up a lot of fresh memories.

About 9 months ago I started experiencing back pain with radiation down the leg. I took up physio and was religiously following the excercise and stretching routine provided to me. This was in additon to attending physio sessions and accupuncture for 6 months.

Approximately 3 months ago I collapsed on the floor unable to stand. After waiting it out about 1 week I hobbled in to see a neurosurgeon. After an MRI showed that I had a significant L5 S1 Hernia with impingement on the left sciatic nerve and dural sac.

I had a laminectomy and disectomy surgey about 2 months ago. I can honestly say that in my case this was a life saver. The pain is completely gone and I am back to almost normal. I have been on some shorter term rides with no issues. I am still following a religious stretching and core strengthening routine, but so far so good.

The pain that I experienced leading up to the surgery was complete nerve pain and is really hard to explain. To say it is blinding is an understatement and pain medication did nothing but take the edge off. I couldn't stand for more than 5 minutes at a time and sitting was not possible. Laying on your back for a month is an eye openning experience.

As a note; 90% of herniations will clear up on their own with appropriate physio routines or more conservative treatments. They are generally cautious about doing the surgeries until a consistent pain/mobility pattern has been established and the sufferer is trying other routes. The surgery while routine is considered fairly serious. As one of the posters mentioned, urinating or defecating on yourself will get you into emergency surgery in a hurry. This is an indication that there are serious nerve issues wiht potential for lasting damage.

Ouuch. You have been through a lot. I can fully understand your nerve pains. Just ride to live

[JonnyWyshbone]

@dantonios, ya that was me, dude I swear when the doc told me about having to piss or crap myself to be considered an emergency, I really closed my eyes and tried to imagine myself crappin on his floor, just so he would take me seriously. The one thing I found the most frustrating, I'm 33, but I got a problem growing facial hair so I can look like a kid to some people. I believe it is this reason that medical staff look at me, and despite me having two blown discs and a look on my face at all times like I'm goin to pass out from pain, they treat me like I'm supposed to just walk this **** off or something. I know that pain your talking about, it's like if you stick your leg out too far you're gonna tear something loose inside it, I get it alot I notice trying to go down stairs, when my hurting leg is goin from one stair to the next. I've been doin physio every week since november. It hurts like hell but not the same as before. My right thigh for some reason always cramps up when I move too much, would that be a sign of nerve damage? I'm actually hoping they do the surgery cuz I'm at my wits end with this stupid thing. One minute by backs hurting, next minute my leg is frozen, next it's on fire. I'm getting real tired of this.

How long did it take you to heal after the surgery? Can you still feel your leg and stuff? I think I'm gonna take some poop in a bag with me to see the neurosurgeon, just in case he doesn't feel my pain, lol. I'm glad you're feeling some relief after the surgery