Microdiscectomy

[sicks]

Anyone have experiences to share how long before back riding... both street and then track, after having a microdiscectomy done?

Im two weeks post-op. Just seeing how long your ability to get back riding took.

 

[ctwo]

You could also search street and mtb cycling forums for similar stories.

They always say to talk to your surgeon or pcp.

 

[sicks]

You could also search street and mtb cycling forums for similar stories.

They always say to talk to your surgeon or pcp.

definitely speaking to both (which is disappointing due to the lack of communication on surgeons side). Just wondering of actual experiences from anyone here... how long it took to get back on in their situation.

 

[budman]

Hopefully it has relieved the pain. I have heard that can happen almost immediatly. The good news I guess is when you are good you should be pretty damn good.

I did not have it, but did look it up when I had issues with my back and a Dr. said that might be a procedure to be considered if it did not get better.

I totally am a don't fix it unless I can't take it dude. Lucky for me I was able to get through it without the surgery.

Wish you well.

 

[SVJ]

Had it done in March. I was on my bicycle in 2weeks, and back to the motorcycle in 8 weeks. I still have nerve pain occasionally, but nothing like before the surgery.

 

[sicks]

Hopefully it has relieved the pain. I have heard that can happen almost immediatly. The good news I guess is when you are good you should be pretty damn good.

I did not have it, but did look it up when I had issues with my back and a Dr. said that might be a procedure to be considered if it did not get better.

I totally am a don't fix it unless I can't take it dude. Lucky for me I was able to get through it without the surgery.

Wish you well.

thanks man - glad you found a non-surgical way to fix long term. My situation may a bit different as I didnt get the surgery for the pain, i actually lost all muscle control on my left side (left foot and left hip). i do know nerve regeneration is a long term rehab, but yep i no longer feel the pain. i think one issue is i didnt do anything to fix the root cause of the pain and just continued to do things thru it... eventually becoming bad enough to create the "permanent" nerve damage.

 

[sicks]

Had it done in March. I was on my bicycle in 2weeks, and back to the motorcycle in 8 weeks. I still have nerve pain occasionally, but nothing like before the surgery.

Thats awesome - congrats on getting back on both two wheels and the overall improvement.. which disks? mine L3/L4

 

[SVJ]

Thats awesome - congrats on getting back on both two wheels and the overall improvement.. which disks? mine L3/L4

It was L4/5. The nerve was so pinched it got to the point that I could not lift my foot at all to shift my motorcycle. I was scared to get it done, but so far it has been a massive improvement!

 

[sicks]

It was L4/5. The nerve was so pinched it got to the point that I could not lift my foot at all to shift my motorcycle. I was scared to get it done, but so far it has been a massive improvement!

Awesome - I am working thru similar foot drop. Been increasing my walking daily to hopefully get muscle control/function back. sucks since i just got a new bicycle and new moto earlier this year. poor timing.

 

[Ducati geezer]

I had L/4-L5 about 4 years ago. Pinched nerve from herniated disc. Then, got too active a few weeks after, and re-herniated it again requiring a revision surgery, which was tougher than the original. Problem always is with the temptation to push things as you feel better. I would give it 10 weeks. Scar tissue needs to form to hold the compromised disc in place.
I can ride as good as ever now. Still have nerve pain issues, but amazingly they seem to disappear while I’m riding.
Do your physical therapy, build up the core. Things will get better, but it takes time.

 

[Exintern]

I had a similar procedure done recently, but on C5/6. Pain is gone! Dr. said to stay off bicycles & motorcycles for 6 weeks. I've got 3 to go. Agree with the earlier post to not rush things.

 

[sicks]

I had L/4-L5 about 4 years ago. Pinched nerve from herniated disc. Then, got too active a few weeks after, and re-herniated it again requiring a revision surgery, which was tougher than the original. Problem always is with the temptation to push things as you feel better. I would give it 10 weeks. Scar tissue needs to form to hold the compromised disc in place.
I can ride as good as ever now. Still have nerve pain issues, but amazingly they seem to disappear while I’m riding.
Do your physical therapy, build up the core. Things will get better, but it takes time.

For sure was planning ten weeks at the least... three important things are on hold for me right now... motos, bjj (martial arts), working out - really sucks... aside from healing up my back, i have to get the control back for the dead muscle. very awesome youre back on it - hope to be the same

I had a similar procedure done recently, but on C5/6. Pain is gone! Dr. said to stay off bicycles & motorcycles for 6 weeks. I've got 3 to go. Agree with the earlier post to not rush things.

dang our timing is very similar. take it easy - hope the best for both of us

 

[sicks]

It is unlikely that your doctor is on the forum. You ask if there are people who have experienced this. But the key word here is like. Everyone has an individual state, everyone has individual regeneration abilities. Some have complications, others do not. Better see your doctor, he will tell you when you are fully in shape.

Yes - As stated earlier, I am speaking to my doctors and have appointments scheduled. I am just asking for actual, real world experiences from those who have had similar. All data is good data, even if not catered specifically to the individual.

 

[senpai71]

I had an L4/L5 microdiskectomy in mid-November 2013, and I was back in the saddle by Xmas that year.

I had a hip replacement last October, and was snowboarding again in early Jan. On the bike by Xmas...

Yeah, like others say, DO YOUR PT. I didn't do it as much as I should have following my microdiskectomy, and it took longer to get stretchy...

 

[ksandvik]

I had one back in 2009 (I think....). Physiotherapy speeded up the recovery. It depends per case so talk to your doctor. Also the disc is weaker so you should avoid things like wrestling, tennis, weight lifting (!) or similar things. So if you think twice before doing something stupid you will be fine.

 

[sicks]

I had an L4/L5 microdiskectomy in mid-November 2013, and I was back in the saddle by Xmas that year.

I had a hip replacement last October, and was snowboarding again in early Jan. On the bike by Xmas...

Yeah, like others say, DO YOUR PT. I didn't do it as much as I should have following my microdiskectomy, and it took longer to get stretchy...

You're basically a cyborg now - awesome on your recoveries. Unfortunately, my healthcare sucks and I have not been given any PT instruction. My first PT visit is next week, three weeks post op.

I had one back in 2009 (I think....). Physiotherapy speeded up the recovery. It depends per case so talk to your doctor. Also the disc is weaker so you should avoid things like wrestling, tennis, weight lifting (!) or similar things. So if you think twice before doing something stupid you will be fine.

I am in contact with medical, but its primarily a one way conversation and they (PT, doctor, and surgeon) are not very responsive. my first PT appt is next week, three weeks post op... surgeon advised they wont tell me what occured during surgery until next week as well. Pretty disappointed overall with that. All my rehab exercises and input have been from here, Youtube, and reddit.

 

[ksandvik]

Taking short walks helps as well, kind of PT. Increase the amount and length over time. If it hurts, stop.

 

[sicks]

Taking short walks helps as well, kind of PT. Increase the amount and length over time. If it hurts, stop.

I didnt get the surgery for pain.. it was for loss of muscle control/function. No pain for walking... everything jus didnt work, basically have gad to relearn how to walk to generate nerve growth

 

[ST Guy]

You will never be the same again and you'll have to modify what you do, how much you do, and how to do it. Your disk has been permanently altered. Fact.

Use your legs more. Carry less. Minimize twisting when lifting. Etc., etc.....

However, that doesn't mean you can't live a full and pain free life. Do your PT and then modify your life accordingly.

 

[afm199]

You will never be the same again and you'll have to modify what you do, how much you do, and how to do it. Your disk has been permanently altered. Fact.

Use your legs more. Carry less. Minimize twisting when lifting. Etc., etc.....

However, that doesn't mean you can't live a full and pain free life. Do your PT and then modify your life accordingly.

Incorrect. Nerve damage is what influences muscle control and usage. After my crash last year, I was temporarily paralyzed from the neck down. (I have two vertebrae fused together where the disc degenerated, and they have cocked to put permanent pressure on my spinal cord. That has resulted in Myelopathy or nerve damage.) Nerves can recover from shock or trauma as long as they are not cut or torn.

In my case, a month after the crash I couldn't do one pushup or curl five pounds. A year later I'm bench pressing 90% of my body weight and use 30 pounds to curl.

Every case is different.

I'm coming up on an operation to fuse the vertebrae and tilt them back into alignment.

The long term damage now is limited to symmetrical nerve pain in the radial nerve in both arms. No fun in the cold, fine in the warm.

I have spent hundreds of hours over the last year, maybe thousand, doing exercise to encourage the nerves to function and to press my limits.