Riding after spine fusion?

shaunbruce827
Edited Date/Time 5/4/2021 2:17pm
Hey guys, I fractured and compressed my L2 vertabrae 30% about 6 weeks ago. I had a spine fusion surgery done, in which L1 through L3 are fused and now limit my range of motion slightly.
My question is, has anyone had a similar surgery and was able to ride again?



|
motoxxx599
Profile picture for user motoxxx599
Posts
2872
Joined
11/18/2008
Location
Sachse, TX US
Fantasy
875th
motoxxx599 9/8/2017 5:30am
9/8/2017 5:30am
Yes. I had the exact same surgery and was riding within 6 months.
1
shaunbruce827 9/8/2017 5:34am
9/8/2017 5:34am
motoxxx599 wrote:
Yes. I had the exact same surgery and was riding within 6 months.
Really? Wow that is a relief to hear.. how's your pain doing?
yzjs7
Profile picture for user yzjs7
Posts
1138
Joined
7/4/2013
Location
Antioch, CA US
yzjs7 9/8/2017 6:07am
9/8/2017 6:07am
Trey Camard, Cary Hart, Jimmy Albertson and prolly more guys than I can think of...be careful but enjoy and live life..good luck bud.
2
1
Old-Man
Profile picture for user Old-Man
Posts
8021
Joined
10/21/2011
Location
Colorado springs, CO US
Old-Man 9/8/2017 8:06am
9/8/2017 8:06am
Did L-3 through Thoracic-12, came up short on a double and snapped my spine, had to get the hardware and fusion from your hip right? Took about a year to get back to work another year to ride, depends on how bad you broke it.

The Shop

See All »
Old-Man
Profile picture for user Old-Man
Posts
8021
Joined
10/21/2011
Location
Colorado springs, CO US
Old-Man 9/8/2017 8:17am
9/8/2017 8:17am
Wonder why the surgeon put the screw through the mid section break rather then put the two upper screws then the two lower screws then a cross-member between the two mid section? looks like that could heal together since it's in the middle of the Vertebral body.

Your break looks a lot less than mine was so i'm thinking less time to heal...Good luck buddy and most of all don't get hooked on those damn pain meds, it'll ruin your life.



1
1
JB54
Profile picture for user JB54
Posts
27
Joined
2/8/2017
Location
CA
JB54 9/8/2017 8:22am
9/8/2017 8:22am
I fractured my T4, T5 and T6 and had them fused together. After 4 months I was probably 80% recovered and after 6 months 100%. Granted I was in really good shape at the time so that helped out the recovery process big time. I still ride and don't have any issues.
1
shaunbruce827 9/8/2017 8:27am
9/8/2017 8:27am
Thanks guys, it's really a relief to hear this. I was also pretty confused as to why he put that small screw right down the middle.. I have a follow up with the surgeon at the end of the month, so I should be able to get some more info since my heads a lot clearer now then it was in the hospital when it was all happening.
I'm happy to say I haven't had any serious pain meds since a few days after surgery, just a couple Tylenol or Advil a day.
Bramlett321
Profile picture for user Bramlett321
Posts
1071
Joined
9/14/2012
Location
Texarkana, TX US
Bramlett321 9/8/2017 8:34am
9/8/2017 8:34am
shaunbruce827 wrote:
Thanks guys, it's really a relief to hear this. I was also pretty confused as to why he put that small screw right down the middle...
Thanks guys, it's really a relief to hear this. I was also pretty confused as to why he put that small screw right down the middle.. I have a follow up with the surgeon at the end of the month, so I should be able to get some more info since my heads a lot clearer now then it was in the hospital when it was all happening.
I'm happy to say I haven't had any serious pain meds since a few days after surgery, just a couple Tylenol or Advil a day.
That's good news bud, so glad you didn't have any other significant issues, especially with the pain meds. I have an artificial disc at my L5/S1 and it's been extremely successful. The pain pills were much harder on me than any surgery I could have had. Best of luck my friend and be careful as you start to ride and gain your confidence back.
JAFO92
Profile picture for user JAFO92
Posts
4261
Joined
3/21/2016
Location
BFE, TX US
JAFO92 9/8/2017 9:00am
9/8/2017 9:00am
Bramlett321 wrote:
That's good news bud, so glad you didn't have any other significant issues, especially with the pain meds. I have an artificial disc at my L5/S1...
That's good news bud, so glad you didn't have any other significant issues, especially with the pain meds. I have an artificial disc at my L5/S1 and it's been extremely successful. The pain pills were much harder on me than any surgery I could have had. Best of luck my friend and be careful as you start to ride and gain your confidence back.
What brand of disk did they use at L5/S1 ?
Bramlett321
Profile picture for user Bramlett321
Posts
1071
Joined
9/14/2012
Location
Texarkana, TX US
Bramlett321 9/8/2017 9:37am
9/8/2017 9:37am
Bramlett321 wrote:
That's good news bud, so glad you didn't have any other significant issues, especially with the pain meds. I have an artificial disc at my L5/S1...
That's good news bud, so glad you didn't have any other significant issues, especially with the pain meds. I have an artificial disc at my L5/S1 and it's been extremely successful. The pain pills were much harder on me than any surgery I could have had. Best of luck my friend and be careful as you start to ride and gain your confidence back.
JAFO92 wrote:
What brand of disk did they use at L5/S1 ?
Pro-Disc, there are newer versions which I believe are better than this now if I'm not mistaken.
JAFO92
Profile picture for user JAFO92
Posts
4261
Joined
3/21/2016
Location
BFE, TX US
JAFO92 9/8/2017 10:57am
9/8/2017 10:57am
Bramlett321 wrote:
Pro-Disc, there are newer versions which I believe are better than this now if I'm not mistaken.
Gotcha. My wife's L5/S1 is bad so looking into all the various choices. Thanks!
m.hardesty16 9/8/2017 11:59am
9/8/2017 11:59am
Lets push for safer tracks to reduce stuff like this. Hope you'll be able to ride sometime in the future.
Old-Man
Profile picture for user Old-Man
Posts
8021
Joined
10/21/2011
Location
Colorado springs, CO US
Old-Man 9/22/2017 7:13pm
9/22/2017 7:13pm
How did the "end of month" DR visit go?
Hoping your situation is going well?

Why did the Doc put the screw through the break or is that a bad image angle?

I know, a lot of questions but you'll have that with a dude that's been thru 28 broken bones (including Back as described above) and 4 surgeries

Hope all is well Buddy

Myke
Profile picture for user Myke
Posts
2457
Joined
9/28/2009
Location
San Diego, CA US
Fantasy
2887th
Myke 9/22/2017 9:46pm
9/22/2017 9:46pm
I have my c5 thro c7 fused. Basically my doctor said don't ride but do what you want. The reason is now I have less movement in my spine and if I crash and land on it a certain I can be paralized again ( the fusion was from a mountain bike crash where I was paralyzed from the neck down for about 10 minutes after the crash). I do still have tingling from my elbows down that will never go away.

I would assume the same goes for you. Your risk increased serious injury has increased and you just have to decide what more important. Riding and having fun with a greater risk for serious injury or sitting at home watching TV. I chose riding and I also do crossfit 3 days a week to hopefully strengthen my body to support it in the event of a crash..
Flyinbrian365 5/4/2021 2:17pm
5/4/2021 2:17pm
Just had my L2-L5 fused and the discs removed and cages installed. Do any of you wear a special type of back brace or anything while riding?
alphado
Profile picture for user alphado
Posts
3309
Joined
8/15/2006
Location
Erie, PA US
alphado 5/5/2021 6:09am
5/5/2021 6:09am
I was scheduled to get my L5-S1 fused due to scoliosis. Once he told me I had to get a catheter I said no way.
DoctorJD
Profile picture for user DoctorJD
Posts
2922
Joined
4/1/2008
Location
Somewhere in..., GA US
DoctorJD 5/5/2021 6:47am
5/5/2021 6:47am
You know, I loved riding like the next guy, but if I'd have gone through having my spine fused, and I was still walking...I'd walk away from this shit. Believe it or not, there is life outside of moto.
1

Post a reply to: Riding after spine fusion?