For those that have had multilevel back fusion, how long was it before you were comfortable riding? My back is more messed up than a soup sandwich and it's looking like I'm going to be having to get cut on. No way around it at this point. 4 levels of fusion in the lower back.

 

I've only had L5 fused. What's your doc tell you? I was back on a bicycle in about 3 months. It's been 2 years now and I'm real careful, standing where I can over the big ones. There is going to be several variables to your question, really, and its all about you. Size, weight, exercise and stretch, the procedures\hardware.... If you are willing to do the recovery work for core strength, stay\get slim, and do what the doc says I'm betting you will be back on the bike. If you don't, when you do, it could be short lived. Good luck, work hard, make the effort.

 

I fell through a ceiling at work and broke my back in 1997 and it was a compression fracture of one vertebra and I chipped two others.
I believe they fused 3 vertebra together and I actually had Harrington Rods in my back for 18 months.
Of course I had to wear a turtle type shell around my chest for the first 6 months and then after I was allowed to take it off, I was able to move more easily. I believe I was able to ride my bike a total of 8 - 9 months after my fall. (I still had the rods in my back at that time) I then had another surgery 1 1/2 years after my fall to remove the rods. I believe it was a couple of months after that I was able to ride again.

Good luck on your surgery and I hope your able to ride soon.

 

I had l3 and l4 fused, with instrumentation in 2013. I was doing short non-aggressive riding within 2 months (with a stretchy back brace.)

A few years back, I was supposed to have a 4 level fusion. I put off the surgery for a couple of years because of weak bones. Weak bones and more than one fusion site reduces the success rate. Well, I walked and did the back exercises that I could. And, I stretched manually and used traction. When I finally couldn't put off the surgery, I only had to have one fusion site. A possible consequence of putting off the surgery is that I still have very little calf strength, and can't stand on the ***** of my feet. I can't be certain that putting off the surgery made that any worse, though.

Today, I ride as far as anyone. But, I do lean forward, going over bumps, and I got a Saddlemen Explorer Road Sofa seat that makes riding easier. Surgery is a tough decision. Some say put it off as long as possible, but you have a lot of things to consider. Good luck.

 

I've had two back fusion surgeries. First was 5 years ago, L3, L4, L5, with rods and pedicle screws only - this fusion didn't complete, and the hardware was still moving; had recurrent leg pain until this past spring, when a second surgeon redid the procedure, also including the S1 sacrum. This time, I had anterior and posterior surgery, with spacers replacing discs through my gut, and the rods and screws were then replaced from my backside. Ironically, the second surgery only took the same amount of time as the first (6 hours) and this surgery was much easier to recover from. The first surgeon was good, but my spine condition was outside of his comfort zone - didn't realize this until 4 years afterward, when he refused to consider further surgery. I then found THE expert in the field, and he didn't hesitate to say he could help me.


I was walking the second day after both surgeries, and was able to return to normal activities after about 8-10 weeks. Riding wasn't a problem after either surgery - in fact, after my first surgery, sitting was a relief from the back and leg pain that I had whenever I would stand and/or walk. (of course, this pain (sciatica) was what I've been dealing with for the past 10-12 years...)


Now - nine months after my second fusion procedure, I'm finally pain free and living without pain medication. Riding is much better, but was never an issue as long as I could ambulate after surgery.


That being said, each individual's situation will be different. My issue was lumbar stenosis and a narrowed spinal canal at L3, L4, and L5. My sciatica and back pain was aggravated anytime I extended (standing) and would subside if I sat down. Walking was also painful. I lived on hydrocodone and oxycodone for over a decade - was dosing 160mg oxy per day from a pain management clinic, with several repeat nerve block injections before my last surgery. My leg pain was also shifting, with the looseness and movement of my fusion hardware - it never completely fused with the bone.


If you follow doctor's orders, and take it easy for a while, there shouldn't be any problem with riding. I rode within 2-months after my last surgery, although not for any distance.


Hope this helps,
John

 

I had 10 level fusion...was riding about a year afterwards.

 

Yours sounds almost exactly what I've been dealing with. The good/fortunate side for me is that I'm having a neurosurgeon do the surgery and doing the same spacers and fusions done. It also helps that he's my wifes boss, so he has had multiple tests done to ensure what he says needs to be done, is what is needed to alleviate the pain. I was supposed to have a single level done a year ago, but the insurance I had then refused the surgery. Now a year later, after my mri, he didn't like what he saw and ordered more tests. Hopefully everything works right and I won't be living on pain meds anymore.

 

My advice - make sure your surgeon has excellent recommendations, and he's talking from his experience. I'd guess that he will have a vascular surgeon's assistance for the anterior part - same as mine. This part scared me to death, but it really wasn't that much to affect my recovery. (At least, it didn't seem like that much to me - the surgeon stressed that it IS a big deal.)


I hope that all goes well with your procedure - best wishes for a speedy recovery! Please let us know how things turn out.


John

 

I took a year off of riding after surgery in '94. A back rest and windshield or fairing is now mandatory. Now, after 20 years, calcified deposits at the site of surgery, pinching on nerves that control body functions, are giving me problems, and it may have to go back under the knife to free up the nerve.

 

L5S1 Fused, had a 1,000 pound pallet of frozen chicken fall on top of me 8 years ago. First had a disc decompression but it was 1 1/2 years later when bending over my back popped and i was back in the hospital two weeks later.. after another two years of therapy and relearning how to walk properly and a total of 4 years of therapy, here i am.. I got back on the bike 3 months after the surgery. I like some of you will never know what it's like to not be in pain for the rest of my life, but am i gonna keep that from me riding my bike, HELL NO. Here is my metal.. Here to talk to anyone who wants or needs to talk