Nathan, I suffered from a herniated lumbar disk a little over a year ago. Pain from lower back down through left buttock and down back of left leg to knee. It felt like a pulled muscle and was chronic, mostly worse when I rode. So I took it easy for a few months and tried to not overdo it, to let the muscle heal, I thought. But I must have compensated on the bike because then I started having excruciating right knee pain. Finally, my back/leg pain got worse to the point, where I couldn't even sit down. At work, I had to stand up all the time or be on my knees to work at my desk. Okay, time to see the doc. After a long process, seeing 3 different doctors and going to PT (which was not an overwhelming positive experience), I got two cortisone injections, and started a stretching routine. I'm now more comfortable on my bikes, lowering my handlebars, riding on the hoods more (instead of on the tops), and riding longer with fewer back/neck issues which I've dealt with for many years (because of my scoliosis). All is looking positive now on the north side of 50.
Why did this happen to me? From what I've been able to determine it's because of older age and bad posture, that's all. I think the Mayo Clinic website has some great information about herniated disks. Hint: Go to www.howtostretch.com and do some of that stuff. The stretchmaster (and D.C.) Dr. Mark Rosenberg is an avid cyclist. Just be aware that it takes a long time for this stretching thing to take effect. Drew Ellison On Oct 21, 2009, at 5:01 PM, nathan spindel wrote: > > Forgive me if this is too far off topic, although it's related to > Rivendell's concerns of proper bike comfort, fit, etc. > > After cycling 100-200 miles/week for 4 months on my Romulus I managed > to get a herniated disk. I'm not positive it was caused by cycling, > but it seems quite likely (my doctor thinks so too). > > In my research I've found that some people with this condition > continue to cycle. After not riding for the first two injured months, > I began riding a little bit to keep sane and have found my pain > sometimes lessens while riding. Two doctors I've consulted with said > it might be okay to cycle if I'm okay with it, but they seem hesitant. > > I'd like to hear any anecdotal stories you have about this (or > healing/treatment as it pertains to cycling). I really have grown to > love riding bikes and would hate to stop (but of course I'll stop when > appropriate). Feel free to reply off-list. > > -nathan > > > --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group. To post to this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch@googlegroups.com To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bunch+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
