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Aviator, First of all I want to thank you for your service!
I was involved in a car accident back in 2005 and thought life was pretty much over and riding a motorcycle wasn't even a thought. I've had 3 back surgeries and have titanium bolts, rods along with some bone graphs in my lower back. This was from two blown discs and a fractured back bone that left me with nerve damage on the left side. I had a spinal cord stimulator installed in 2008 and and it has been a tremendous blessing. My right shoulder has had 3 surgeries and part on my shoulder blade is gone. Left shoulder had a torn rotator cuff that was repaired with one surgery. I had 5 surgeries on my left knee and thanks to a rear end on my motorcycle in May of 2010 I had surgery number 6 and subsequently found out my left knee will have to be replaced...and I will turn 40 next month!
It's taken a while to get where I am but I ride every chance I get. I hear all the time "Doesn't it hurt you to ride that motorcycle?" to which I reply, "No more than it hurts me to sit in a recliner".
Modern technology and alot of research for the "right" fix for me and the right doctors to do it. The spinal cord stimulator was a God send for dealing with the chronic pain. I'm in no way suggesting anything because I don't know your exact situation but only trying to say there may be a "right" thing to help you as well. In the mean time the trike idea is certainly a great way to look.
Please don't feel like you shouldn't contribute to the forum because you don't have a bike at this time...and again, "Thank you for your service!"
I feel your pain, Aviator. Being LEO for the past 15 yrs I have had both my sciatic nerves pinched and I do massage therapy, i.e. glutes massaged once a week from sitting in a car with all the equipment on. From what I have learned about the sciatic nerve is that your glute muscles are what is pinching your sciatic nerve, hence causing pain. I couldn't sit no more than an hour w/o being all jacked up and in pain.
After therapy for the past two months, I'm like a new person. I do specific exercises and massages. Give it a shot and get back to living life! Good luck!
yep - it was a sad day around here. I watched as my RKC was loaded on a trailer and headed off to Houston. I sure hated selling her. BUT, with arthritic knees and a pinched sciatic nerve (thanks Uncle Sam) I no longer enjoy riding. well, that's exactly right, I love riding, just don't like the pain and cramps in my hips.
think I'm gonna find a cheap beat up Sportster that needs rebuilding.... maybe make it into a trike.
anyway, it's been real. thanks for allowing me to hang around these last several years.
I feel for you. I think about my own day. I'm not sure what I'll do, either. When it's no good any more, pain, reflexes shot, whatever...hope I've got the smarts to quit it before it quits me. Good luck. Build the trike. BTW, that Sportster trike shown in this thread looks pretty sweet. I'd ride it in a heartbeat.
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