prolapsed disc and turbo trainers

Tim jenkins

Strange title I know, but bear with me!

I have a prolapsed disc which is casuing nasty sciatica. I am going to be having an operation on it as soon as possible (had the MRI, physio etc). In the meantime my doctor and physio have both advised me that I should keep cycling as it is the only thing that doesn't hurt (unlike walking, sitting, standing etc!) as long as I don't go too fast or up too many hills. In other words if it hurts stop it!

So, I am thinking that getting a turbo trainer would be wise for the nasty winter days, a bit of warm up before going out, and so I can do some gentle spinning to keep the muscles moving. Which one to get is the question. The Tacx Satori seems well reviewed but do I really need the adjustability etc or just get something cheaper as I'm not going to be riding hard on it until after the op? Quietness is important though.

hopper1

Good luck with the op, Tim. I had a discectomy about 9 years ago... Was 1000% better from the moment I came out of the anasthetic!
I just bought a CycleOps Fluid, seems ok to me, but I'm not really in a position to advise on comparisons.
When I was waiting for my op, I was in the same boat as you, couldn't walk, sit, stand, etc... (I used to sleep, sitting in a chair, with my head on a cushion on the dining table in front of me). But I was most comfortable sitting on my Kawasaki ZX9R. Used to take me about 10 minutes to get my leg over it, though!
I had a head on crash on the bike, two days after the operation, still wearing the corset!
Got up and my back was fine!
Good luck.

Tim jenkins

Thanks, Hopper1, for your optimistic words. I must admit I am a bit worried about having to have an operation, having got to 40 with only 1 overnight stay in hospital when I was 7.

Your comment on crashing is another reason for wanting a trainer - my other half and my physio are both a bit worried about what may happen if I come off my bike in my current state.

hopper1

I was 37 when I had the op, felt like a 6 year old when I woke up.
I was busting for a wee, after waking up, so just through back the blankets, lept out of bed and went to the toilet! The nurse (old, matronly type) had a fit! She had a real go at me, as I was supposed to remain on my side for three days and should use the bottles at the side of my bed...

sonny73

I have a prolapsed disc in my neck and my lower back is prone to going in to hardcore spasms due to having one leg 1/2 inch shorter than the other (from an op when I was 14); both now controlled by chiropractic, physio and a shoe insert, fortunately and I am able to ride pretty much as normal now (3-4 times a week).

But in relation to your situation when my neck first flared up last October I didn’t ride for 6 months due to the pain, fortunately though through the chiropractic and physio combined the problem began to stabilise and the pain began to dissipate. After 6 months I was in pain still somewhat but my chiro was keen to get me riding again ASAP and my first few wheel turns were on a Tacx Sirius, all I can say in comfort terms it was no different from being on the road and it was a pleasure to ride again in any capacity and feel I was helping myself, along with the physio exercises.
I swear this went a long way to the pain then rapidly lessening and to me regaining my confidence to put the hammer down.

Good luck with the op, I am sure your life will be all the better for it and I hope you find a trainer to suit. Decathlon by the way do the Satori for £149.95 and it comes with a carry bag and sweat catcher http://www.decathlon.co.uk/EN/home-trainers-3956397/ I bought one only last Friday; going to build it up tonight

Tim jenkins

Thanks a lot for that Sonny73 - I shall be checking out the Decathlon deal instantly!

It seems the more I dig around on the net the more common knackered discs are, and there is plenty to suggest that they can be resolved. makes me feel better!

Tim jenkins

Damn - just realised Decathlon don't do normal internet shopping and Devon to London to save a few quid is probably pushing it a bit - especially in my condition!

sonny73

£5 more http://www.jejamescycles.co.uk/tacx-satori-high-item98611.html

Tim jenkins

Found a new one on ebay for £128 including postage - there were 5 left last time I looked.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Tacx-T1850-Satori-Cycle-Trainer_W0QQitemZ130329785151QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_SportGoods_CyclAcces_RL?hash=item1e5842b33f&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14#ht_500wt_1182

sonny73

Sweet, good work and enjoy

andy_wrx

Good luck with the op, Tim.

I had a replacement L5/S1 artificial disc implant in May 2006 and it's been a major success, more or less since I woke up after the op.

I've posted more previously on these threads
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12562110
http://www.bikeradar.com/road/forums/vi ... t=12587981

Cycling is definitely good for me - if I don't cycle, after about 4 days my back starts niggling at me, then after 7 days or so I'm back to having major referred sciatic pain down my leg.
I guess the cycling is a rhythmic stretching without impact and if cycling is what it takes to keep my back under control, that's not a problem is it 8)

I don't have a turbo, I have rollers which I use in Winter if the weather is particularly bad

After my op, I was keen to get back on the bike but very concerned about what would happen if I came off.
I started-out doing 15 minutes or so on the rollers, just to see what would happen - if there was a problem, I could stop instantly, no worries about being out on the bike a mile or two from hoime and having to get back somehow
But all was fine, so I did 30 minutes, that was OK so then went out on the road.
I was very concerned I'd come off, either myself on some gravel or taken off by a car, that I'd do my part-healed spine a power of no good, maybe cripple myself for life, but everything was OK

Tim jenkins

Blimey Andy, that sounds pretty serious! So far my GP has just been talking about a bit of trimming of the disc rather than replacement. Same disc as you though. I'm seeing the orthopaedic consultant on Monday so we shall see what happens.

Cheers

Tim

thetrotter

I had a laminectomy (where they remove the core of the disc and trim it) 20 years ago. I was in crippling pain before the operation and still in some pain for a few months afterwards. The consultant said that this was simply the result of the nerve being irritated for so long and that it would fade over time (which it has). Frankly, I never thought that I would ride a bike again, let alone race at a reasonable level, but I am now faster than I was then. What I still can't do is stand for any length of time, or run. I believe that modern thinking is that moderate exercise - which doesn't make the pain worse - is good for injured backs. Good luck with the operation.

Tim jenkins

Thanks for all the good wishes. Just thought I would let those who have commented on here that I had the op on 22nd September - four days after seeing the orthopaedic consultant! I paid

felt pretty grim for a day or two after but since then have improved massively. I can walk and put my own socks on, no more sciatica and no-more diazapam and codeine. Bit sore/stiff where the scar is but otherwise fine. I'm in my second week back at work and have been back on the bike for the last fortnight - even been up and down some hills!

thetrotter

Glad it went well. Just don't do too much too soon. Any operation is a shock to the system and it takes some time to really recover.

The Hedgehog

Tim - Glad to hear it went well. I too had a disc replacement - same operation as Andy WRX and so I can fully understand your anxiety pre - op, especially with such a risky proceedure.
I see you're from Devon as I am - did you get it done at the RD & E by Mr Khan &/or Mr Chan? These 2 are very good & leaders in their field. I had mine done earlier this year by both surgeons. I learned a few hard lessons post op, the main one being to take it easy. I cannot stress this enough. I overdid things on a few occasions e.g. walking too far too soon. Just be extremely careful - it will take several months to settle down before you can become as active as you'd like. I'd say it took a couple of months before I could start racking up the miles. By about 6 months post op I was doing 2 or sometimes 3 60+ milers per week. But it was a case of building slowly.

hopper1

Nice one, Tim.
Really glad that it all seems to have gone so well.
You have now had the good fortune of having a second chance with your back... so, don't push it, steady away is the way to go...

Fuji Mackers

Good to hear the op went well. I had a similar op 8 years ago. During the recovery the Doc reckoned cycling is good for developing core strength plus low impact, so I started cycling, commuting and few yrs later sportives etc and I am still loving it. Even though turbo is better than doing nothing, why not just get the bike out on the road...

cheers

Tim jenkins

I am taking it fairly easy, I'm commuting to work which is 6 miles each way but not doing much else yet. If I go out on weekends it's generally only 12 to 15 miles.

The Hedgehog - the op was at the RD&E and Mr Chan did it, I've only heard good things about him. I have my 6(ish) week post op consultation next week so we'll see what he thinks about my recovery so far. I'm still amazed at how quickly I have got so much better.

The Hedgehog

Tim jenkins wrote:

I am taking it fairly easy, I'm commuting to work which is 6 miles each way but not doing much else yet. If I go out on weekends it's generally only 12 to 15 miles.

The Hedgehog - the op was at the RD&E and Mr Chan did it, I've only heard good things about him. I have my 6(ish) week post op consultation next week so we'll see what he thinks about my recovery so far. I'm still amazed at how quickly I have got so much better.

me too - his reputation is fantastic. Not sure how long these replacement discs last - I'm hoping at least 20 years!

drewfromrisca

Hi Tim and Hedgehog, it seems like you guys are positive about the op. It's looking like I might have to have 2 discs replaced. Would you recommend it? What were the worries. etc etc? My specialist is not very positive about me having the op. I also have degenerative disc disease and a hip problem that hasn't been diagnosed yet.

Cheeky question but how much did you pay for the op on private?

The Running Man

Hi guys :

For further reassurance I had a discectomy on C6/C7 about 15 years ago after months and months of what I can only describe as relentless misery. I had the steel plate screwed onto my vertebrae after the bone graft from my hip and from that day I got my life back.

I've stopped all contact sport but have run marathons, triathlons (inc half ironman) and have never had a moments doubt or regret about the op. I made damn sure I did everything the docs said I should - rested when I was told to - eased back in carefully when I was given the green light and generally erred on the side of caution til I was sure I felt right.

Now doing 200 miles plus on the bike and when I'm not injured running about 25-30 miles per week.

I would thoroughly recommend this procedure assuming you get a good surgeon and good recuperation advice.

BEST OF LUCK!!