Seeking Anecdotal Data on Lower Back Issues Esp Racers

[Mechanikrazy]

So... let me preface this by saying that I'm definitely seeking the advice of medical professionals. But AFM does start in a month, and I did just drop off my suspension for a refresh before finding out this news.

Backstory: I've been doing PT for some recent leg issues, which the doctor thought were nerve related. Got the MRI results back, and it looks like I have a disc extrusion in my lower back L5/S1 that is pinching my S1 nerve. Doctor said this was unlikely to be genetic and more likely activity based. These activities may include dumping motorcycles sometimes. :laughing So far, the sports medicine orthopedist thinks PT may manage it, but also does want me to talk to a surgeon for an opinion.

So now, as I weigh my decisions, I seek the voices of experience on BARF. Have any of your folks had back issues and continued to ride? Has your riding aggravated it or made it worse? How about crashing experience? Any long term issues? Not that I intend to crash, but I do plan for it considering I am pushing to improve my lap times. Plus, my crashes have tended to be cold first sessions where I am an idiot and override the front at 60% pace. I've tried to maximize my protection with gear where possible, (e.g. a D-Air suit), but it is what it is.

I am mainly concerned with how my back is going to be in 40/50 years, but we also only live once and I have my lap time targets for AFM this year.

[Seeking anecdotal experience. Comments of unnecessary risk are not needed, parents. :ride]

 

[Whammy]

Cant hurt to get it checked out thoroughly and then you can make an informed decision on which way to go.
Like you said you dont want any parent advice you are going to do what you want to do.
Its ultimately up to you which road you take.
Whammy says err on the side of caution then pick your poison.
Good Luck:ride
Whammy has injuries that could of easily put me on a cold slab many years ago if I had taken the surgical route.
I just learned to deal with the pain and manage it the best I could with the best medical advice i could get.
I also protect myself with best equipment so I have the chance to ride and drive today.
Times have changed and I'm not opposed to getting rechecked again to see what options are available now.

 

[splat]

I’m an RN who works with patient in similar situation as yours. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) seems to help a large percentage of our patients who opt for it instead of steroid shots. Honestly, I’d never heard of it until I started working for this specific surgery center, but the prognosis/outcome for most patients seems to be good. It may be worth looking into it. Although surgery may take away some of the bite of the pain, there’s also a chance that if alternative therapies could have worked they no longer will and you’re stuck with a lower level of pain but it is now chronic.

 

[ejv]

I have had lower back issues longer than I have been riding motos (since 2002). I see a D.O. who is cash only about 3-4 times a year. I call him my mechanic. Been seeing him for the last 11 years and I have avoided surgery so far. He isn't cheap but I budget to see him several times a year. I have compression of nerves down both sides of my body. Usually worse on the left. I have had prolotherapy once on the sacrum which was performed by a different D.O. when I was still AD in the military. I've been in and out of PT a dozen times maybe more. It is very easy for me to reinjure my back but not while riding. Like you I am concerned about what a crash might do so I do my best not to crash. My back actually feels better in a slightly forward position on a sport bike than on a purely upright bike. Its possible you will find riding to be more comfortable than walking or driving. I don't have a traction device but that can really help some people.

PRP is legit, though I have not done it. It is like prolo on steroids. Worth a shot if you are a candidate for it. Also kinda pricey from what I hear but again, if you can avoid surgery that is usually best.

 

[ctwo]

I've been trying an inversion table and that seems to help. It's really hard to get upright again though.

My dad had a few fusions in the lower back. His advice was to keep the knives away from it.

Anecdotal

 

[dravnx]

I have lower back issues as but not the same as you. My L6/S1 is calcified together, L3/L4 and L4/L5 discs are flat and the interspinal canal is all distorted as the result of compression fractures of L3 and L4.
I found that in order to manage my pain I stay on the NSAID meds, weekly yoga for flexibility and Pilates Reformer 4-5 times a week. This regime has done wonders for me. Pilates was developed for people with mobility issues who still need to exercise.
A strong core will support your lower back.
Surgeons told me that surgery is not recommended as there are too many issues.
Blessedly, riding makes my back feel better, especially the riding position of my FJR1300.
I'm not a racer so I can't comment on that.

 

[budman]

Just like any old and bold motorcycle racer/football dude I am in the back sucks club. I remember looping my RM 250 and the start of the real racking the back took.

I have a collapsed disc L4/5. It could have naturally fused by now.. not sure. The Doc said if I could soldier through it would.

So I have avoided surgery too.

Now stretching (every day before going to bed) and Ice helps.

I don't have medical advice, but hopefully you can recover without surgery. I have discussed that and did not want to chase it yet. For a while I thought I could not avoid it, but therapy, stretching.. even the electric shock deal for pain has me feeling better, but I also feel that another moment is just a twinge away.

I ride pretty upright... and the ride actually does not affect my back. I think the vibration actually helps get some blood going in the area. Even 10 hour days have not made it flare up.

Falling off period as an OG could screw me up. :laughing

Hope you find some relief and have a good race season and meet your goals! :ride

 

[Caddywumpus]

I have had lower back issues longer than I have been riding motos (since 2002). I see a D.O. who is cash only about 3-4 times a year. I call him my mechanic. Been seeing him for the last 11 years and I have avoided surgery so far. He isn't cheap but I budget to see him several times a year. I have compression of nerves down both sides of my body. Usually worse on the left. I have had prolotherapy once on the sacrum which was performed by a different D.O. when I was still AD in the military. I've been in and out of PT a dozen times maybe more. It is very easy for me to reinjure my back but not while riding. Like you I am concerned about what a crash might do so I do my best not to crash. My back actually feels better in a slightly forward position on a sport bike than on a purely upright bike. Its possible you will find riding to be more comfortable than walking or driving. I don't have a traction device but that can really help some people.

PRP is legit, though I have not done it. It is like prolo on steroids. Worth a shot if you are a candidate for it. Also kinda pricey from what I hear but again, if you can avoid surgery that is usually best.

Jesus you are broken

 

[senpai71]

I had an L4/L5 microdiskectomy in 2013 - the probable result of many years of martial arts training, plus assorted bicycle crashes. It helped for a while, but I didn't do all the recommended PT, and the pain eventually returned.

I sold my 2001 Triumph Sprint ST because it was too painful to ride for more than 30 mins at a time, and bought a (basically new) Kawi Versys, since the more upright stance was much more comfortable.

But then I realized I really missed riding the Triumph, so I bought a replacement - a 2000 Sprint ST It's still a bit painful after 45 mins, but bearable.

I try to do what I can to reduce pain - stretch for 15 mins EVERY morning, think about doing yoga, do some TRX stuff to strengthen my lower back muscles...

LSS, do whatever PT/stretching the docs tell you to do. It's a hassle, and you'll want to say "Ah, it's not that big a deal", but IT IS A BIG DEAL.

 

[ejv]

Jesus you are broken

It actually started in the early 90s with my right hip. My mechanic works on my all my major joints plus my ribs which is weird. Dude is a miracle worker. Worth every penny to me. I honestly don't know what I'm gonna do after he retires or I move away. There aren't many OMM specialists that do what he does at such a high level.

 

[Beanzy]

I'm having an MRI done on my spine on Valentine's Day. But I already was told I have spondylilothesis, as noted from the X-rays taken of my spine.

I was told most likely I would have an epidural done to lessen the swelling of my L5 extrusion.

My pain used to be excruciating, as if somebody was ripping my outer thighs with broken glass. Now the pain has subsided to mere twinges.

Anyway I'm grateful my insurance covers all this work being done for my spine.

EDIT: Worst get-off might have contributed to the L5 extrusion. But I don't really know, as I've taken a lot of falls in my life and once caused a hairline fracture in my tibia.

 

[stangmx13]

Kyle Wyman just had a disc replaced because PT, training, and racing were making it worse and worse. hes already very positive about the results, even without racing yet. I think we'll know very definitively and quickly once the season starts if surgery was the right choice.

 

[kxmike]

I ruptured two disks (L4, L5) and had them fused back in 1978. Since then I've raced motocross, downhill mountain bikes, flat track, supermoto and roadracing! I've had a good amount of crashes and injuries including a few fractured vertabraes! I'm 63 now and my back is a mess...degenerative discs, bone spurs and arthritis. About ten yrs ago a doctor looked at my mri and wondered how I wasn't paralyzed! He told me I would be crazy to continue riding bikes...that if I took one more hit I'd be paralyzed for life. That did it for my wife!.. I had to sell the bikes and quit doing what I love. I was miserable for the next two yrs and my back hurt more than ever (I wasn't getting the exercise that I got while riding ...that kept my core strong). I saw another doctor about getting a steroid shot and when he looked at my mri he said in his opinion ...I could still ride bikes, that my back wasn't any different than it had been for the last several yrs. I got the shot (worked wonders) and my awesome wife bought me a dirt bike the next week! I have 6 bikes now and ride dirt and track all the time. I've even survived several good crashes. I always have same amount of pain to deal with sometimes a lot ...sometimes not so much but it doesn't usually bother me when I'm riding...sometimes riding actually helps! I find that excercise and stretching really help...and keeping the core strong is critical. I love riding and I'm sure the day will come when I'll have to stop but I have a lot of good yrs left in me...I'm gonna use em:thumbup.

 

[BillSmith]

Anecdotal commentary-

Have been in a doorway, hands gripping the door frame to stay upright, due to the extreme pain and not being able to move because any attempt led to going from 10 to Spinal Tap 11.

I avoided all recommended invasive procedures. Some suggested were 'cure of the moment' like papaya enzymes to shrink offending disks.

Hanging upside down like a bat worked. Once. Never any relief after that one time on an inversion bed.

Chiropractic the same. Cracked my back, felt a little more flexible and reduced pain. Follow-up for months did nothing akin to visit one.

Massage was the best. Relieved pain at the moment. Felt good until I did something to tweak it. Therapist was intuitive about finding release points. Apply pressure until the muscle literally gave up.

Needles? No. Cupping/bowls? No.

What helped was LOTS of water. Riding a bicycle. Don't know if it was endorphins or pumping all that blood through leg muscles, but cycling was the best exercise. Motorcycle the same. Never a back issue unless left legs out on highway pegs too long. Who can ride like that?

Sitting the worst. Sitting on a hard bleacher seat and forgetting to stand was a guarantee of debilitating pain the next morning.

Pad your chair. Wear shoes that fit perfectly and have soles that absorb via cushion and/or width. Insoles of Sorbothane. Balance your electrolytes while drinking LOTS of water.

In the end, giving up hitting tennis balls with clients 8+ hours a day and developing a slab of fat on my abdomen has been the cure. Rare pain, only if I do something outrageous.

So, anecdotally, build a belly, better back.

 

[Holeshot]

Good sports Chiropractic is the place to start, IMO. I've crashed lots...and as I've gotten older, things can start to lock up if I don't get aligned, set straight. I missed Laguna this year due to crashing the previous round at AFM in T14 at the apex...tip over deal, but still, blew my pelvis out enough to cause it to lock up three weeks later, overnight. It was bad.

A good sports/ accident Chiro can help alleviate the injury and many times, surgery isn't needed. A few visits are needed, most likely.

Second: core, core, core. Stretch, stretch, stretch...like bud said. A weak core leads to back issues like crazy. Been there too...water skiing the course, stretched for the handle and blew my back up 20 years ago, but core has managed it and no longer any issues.

IME, FWIW. If you workout regularly, might want to focus on balance-strength exercises...that helps too. Out of balance strength can cause issues too...

 

[Mechanikrazy]

Thanks, everyone! This thread did not quite go the way I expected. I really appreciate all of your experiences, and the truth behind it all.

Thankfully, the pinched nerve pain is currently gone (was bad for about 4 months). The PT is helping on that front.

I am still preparing for the season, but am definitely weighing the risks against improving on my backmarker status. Originally, my thought was to get through the 2020 race season before just settling in to cruising around at trackdays on my retro-modern Thruxton. Now, I'm not so sure about gridding up for 2020... At the end of the day, it's not like I'm competing for a MotoAmerica ride. :laughing

We'll see what the consult says next week, and make the decision.

Hope you find some relief and have a good race season and meet your goals! :ride

Thanks, Budman! All these back issues definitely have me wondering if putting around on my Triumph Thruxton would be smarter than trying to chase down lap times on the R6.

 

[VroomVroomVroom]

I'm a long time cyclist, motorcyclist and sometimes track day/racer... I've had my share of back issues (oh, I've been a mechanic too...). It can be very sporadic for me and with age I've kinda developed a sense of what/when I might trigger a debilitating episode.

Staying physically fit and engaging in specific exercises to strengthen and ward off issue has been my best solution... also, don't underestimate the benefits of proper rest/recuperation.

I luv riding my sport bike but, I also realize sometimes I need a break from it!

 

[Shaggy]

I’ve got back issues from my work. Nothing with a severe diagnosis like some of you guys, though.

I see a chiropractor for adjustments 1-2x per month. I get an hour massage prior to my adjustments to loosen everything up. I also have an inversion table that I try to use daily and it helps in between adjustments.

 

[Hooli]

Good sports Chiropractic is the place to start, IMO.

Link please? :mstingray

 

[Holeshot]

Jeff: https://www.northoaklandchiro.com

That's my fixer. Dr. Ruch rules.