For all you racers out there, has anyone had a cervical fusion and raced afterwards?
Lew Mayer
I've had a fusion. It was 24 years ago and I've had basically no problems since. I am not a racer but I wouldn't hesitate to do anything I did before my back injury. However I have friends who have had nothing but problems after back surgery. I was at the point my lifestyle was severely degraded by my back and I needed to have something done. I guess I was lucky.
Was it a cervical(neck) or lumbar(lower back) fusion? I've had a lumbar fusion 25 years ago and no problems. A 3 vertabrae neck fusion has me skeptical.
Lew Mayer
I believe Dwight Rudder just had one last summer and he seems to be riding as well as ever.
Brian
Lew, I would check into the "Prodisc". Its a artificial replacement disc that the FDA approved a year or two ago . Thats is a brand name and I think a couple companies make them. I am pretty sure they are using them instead of a lumbar AND cervical fusison as they retain motion. I waited 5 years instead of having the rest of my lower back fused and hopefully (or not) I will get this done soon. Check into it as it may be a better option. TTP
hi lew, my son had a lower cervical fusion a few years back due to a significant atv accident. he has raced a few times since then with no issues and is going to start riding some vmx races with me this year. fortunately it all went pretty well for him considering the extent of his injuries. i believe that riding in the vintage world is easier on the back than riding modern events because the tracks are toned down some as to not require the air attacks necessary in modern racing. chi-jer
I got this thing called degenerative disc disesae in my neck. The neurologists said I would live, thank God !! I guess until your hands go numb it isent an issue... yet.
My biggest issue is I cant throw wet 80# 4 foot logs onto the back of the 1 ton, 80# bails of hay up in the loft, and swing a 3 # hammer, never mind the 20 # sledge hammer any longer than 4 hours a day,anymore .:(
Oh ya I really miss shoveling 4 feet of snow all winter too. But other than the snowmobiling and dirtbike riding all day, I only got like 1/2 the use of my neck left.
She said i was too young to have it repaired, I'm definetely gonna spend the 395 bucks for the Leitte neck brace though. It sure and heck would be alot cheaper than the 10 grand my Insurance co. spent on taking 3 MRI's in less than a riding seasons time.
I guess the DR. hasent quite figured out how to read them yet. All Just to tell me I got a pain in the neck !!
I dunno.. go figure, theres definetley alot of nerves in that area , going to your brain[:0]
I dont think 12 oz pain killers and Advil will work for ever , but I am hoping they do...
This neck thing to me is called aging, I think thats not repairable,
yet.
Raymond
Down East Pentons
Go for it !
Dwight
I just had surgery done this past Thursday. disc after C6 and C7 both ruptured. Replaced one with man made disc, the other with cadaver bone and C7 and C8 fused together with titanium parts (lighter weight) just so I can go faster. LOL. Dr said after the 6 weeks of Neck Brace and no driving, not working and not picking up anything heaver that 5 lbs that I should be able to rejoin any activity I did before the surgery. C2 & C3 fused together in 1973 due to an injury. It had very little effect on neck movement, but made this creaking noise when I furned my head. No one could hear it except me. Kinda freaky. Worst part of the surgery is they run a tube down the throat and have to move body parts because they go into the neck from the front. No nerve pain or soreness, but couldn't swallow for 3 days and it still hurts some to eat. I am sitting home bored to tears, can't drive and the kids are all working during the day and we are a few miles from town, might try to walk into town next week. Also this town is so small they don't have a cab company or public transportation so unless I walk or someone takes me, I'n stuck at the house.
Lew, have it done, you won't regret it. I didn't.
Donny
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Donny,
Happy to hear you are doing well. I couldn't believe when you called me the day of the surgery. I will be in touch and you are in my Prayers.
Ron Carbaugh
It's good to hear from you Donny, just great to know you're still alive. More than a few times I thought to myself, "gosh I wonder how Donnys' doing ".
In the latest newsletter - hearing something from Glenn Sonntag really made me feel good. Glenn is a wonderful old friend, and knowing he has'nt left us, gladdens me heart.
I certainly hope the best to you Lew. You're still young, so I'm betting it'll be a short pit stop.
Bob
Hey Ron and Rob!
Bored to tears here. And I have 5 1/2 more weeks of doing nothing. Already watched On Any Sunday three times.
Good to hear from you both.
Ron, I told you I would call you, so you should not have been suprised when I did.
Rob, yep still kicking, but have just been too busy working and traveling so much with work, been to MI, but both trips were short notice and didn't have time to make plans to visit. Same thing when I went to Ohio, I wanted to visit Doug W, but couldn't make it happen.
I was on the road 297 days last year. Spent so much time at the Holiday Inn Express, that it felt like home. I'm gone more now than when I was in the Navy.
Keep in touch.
Brother Donny
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Thanks for all the response. I knew I came to the right place to get good advice. I have a new street bike and can't even ride it, plus I'm gettin' the itch to get racing again. I'm feeling better about this.
THANKS :D
Lew Mayer
I'll throw in here and wish you the best also Lew.
I'm lucky to not have had any issues with my health, other than mental.[:0]
My wife just says I'm a pain in the butt.;)
Robert Manucy
72 Berkshire
72 Six Day
82 Honda cr250r
04 BMW K 1200 GT
I got mental too. [8]
Lew Mayer
Hey Lew,
Most people i have been involved with that has had cervial surgery for the most part have been very succesfull. Having said that i had a 3 level done that needed to be 5 levels but the 2 lower levels were so bad they did not attempt it. I also had several nicks/cuts to the cord area also. Having said that my days of a normal life changed drastically but when ya ride bikes your whole life and thats what life is all about it kinda stings pretty bad when they get taking away. My advice is to have several nuerologist give you opinions and go from there. When i was still living down in La. and was schooling a upcoming MX rider named Dustin Manuel he had a bad getoff and had to have a 2 level fusion done. At 16 you tend to heal alot faster and recover alot quicker. I'm glad to say Dustin's been back racing for years and has taken many a nasty spills and all has been fine. Like i said i would get a couple opinions and go from there with it. Also, St. John's in Chicago has a spinal institution available online with alot of great information. As for me, Hard lesson was learned, Never leave a dirt bike to go and try and kill Bambi in the woods!! I wish you the best of luck and let us know how you are doing.
MIke Burgess Jr.
L5 S1 for me. Lower back and the minute I woke up from the anesthesia I knew I was cured. As I said it was a quality of life issue for me and I don't regret it for a minute. Good luck and I'm sure technology has advanced since the dark ages of the 1980's.
Bill
Thanks for the well-wishes guys. I get a second AND third opinion next week. Donny Smith needs the "get well" prayers. He recuperating from it now. Donny, do you have to drink beer with a straw till the neck brace comes off? [?]
Heal fast.
Lew Mayer
I go in for a myelogram Friday morning about the weakness in my arm and hand.
Come help hold me down !
Needle Phobic,
Dwight
Just don't look. It's a lot easier.
Lew Mayer
Tell them you need DRUGS first!
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Quotequote:Originally posted by Lew Mayer
Just don't look. It's a lot easier.
Lew Mayer
You can't exactly look when they have you flat on your stomach on a cold table and sticking a needel into your spine.
Quotequote:Originally posted by OUCWBOY
Tell them you need DRUGS first!
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
I did and 3 Xanax later I got through it and have been out for 24hrs.
Dwight
double post
Quotequote:Originally posted by Dwight Rudder
Quotequote:Originally posted by OUCWBOY
Tell them you need DRUGS first!
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
I did and 3 Xanax later I got through it and have been out for 24hrs.
Dwight
Come on my brother Dwight, In the last 6 years i have had a total of 12 mylograms,There has been somewhat decent ones and then again, I feel ffor you because there was 4 of them that created total havoc in my life for quite some time. My Prayers are with you and Deb Dwight. If ya need anything just give me a shout my friend! Best of Luck to you and keep in touch when ya can. Give us a update on just exactly what the Mylo reveals Dwight! May GOD be with you my friend!
Mikie
Well, The Doc ruled out my neck as the problem. The surgery stuff looked good, even with me bouncing my noggin off a couple trees .
The good news is that I don't require surgery.
The bad news is that I have "Parsonage-Turner Syndrome" ( Look it up )[xx(]
It usually gets better on it's own but doesn't start showing improvement for 1 month to 6 months. 6 months to 6 years for full recovery. [V]
That sucks as I can't ride with it as weak as it is right now.
Dwight :( :(
Dwight,
That really sounds bad! I think it's better to really know what the cause is and get it treated than to go on NOT kowing. I looked it up and it appears that you will be in recovery for a while. I have you in my heart and on my prayer list for a speedy recovery.
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
Dwight,
You are in my Prayers. But I hope you keep making the races...it is good for the soul.
Ron Carbaugh
Lew will have surgery today (Thursday May 8) at 1:00 PM. Keep Lew in your prayers. Get well soon my friend. -EP
Ernie P.
Chattanooga, TN
Thanks Ernie for the update.
Ron Carbaugh
Having gone through three back surgeries and picking up some titanium hardware to hold things together, I don't envy Lew the first day after waking up.
None the less, He's gonna feel much better when he gets all healed up.
Here's to a speedy recovery and the resuming of what we all loosly call normal activities....
Tony
Donny,
Somehow I missed your recent surgery. Glad all went well and you are on the road to recovery.
My first surgery for my back was at Naval Hospital Groton back in 1993. All I can say it was a good thing I was on Shore duty as SubScol Staff, lol.
Tony
Tony,
I wish I'd had it done sooner. I feel 20 years younger now! No pain or numbness at all.
Thanks
Donny Smith
Paragould, AR
a close friend of mine had a new kind of neck surgery done by Dr. Jho in Pittsburgh (no fusion or metal inserts in most cases). Always a big, active guy, his spinal compression was to the point where he could barely button his shirt. He had a very quick recovery and has a new lease on life since his surgery 3 years ago.
http://www.minww.com/hdjbio.htm
... These innovative spine procedures include an anterior cervical microforaminotomy for cervical disk herniation, spinal cord decompression via anterior microforaminotomy for cervical stenosis, an anterolateral or posterolateral approach for cervical spinal cord tumors, endoscopic thoracic discectomy, endoscopic lumbar discectomy, endoscopic decompression for lumbar stenosis, etc. Anterior microforaminotomy for cervical disc herniation is a new surgical technique which removes only the herniated portion of the disc and preserves the remaining disc intact. Spinal bone fusion or metal implant is not necessary. Normal neck motion is well preserved with this new surgical technique. Spinal cord decompression for cervical stenosis is also performed via anterior microforaminotomy. This operation for cervical stenosis does not require bone fusion or metal implant, and does not require the use of a postoperative brace. When the spinal cord tumor is located anteriorly to the cervical spinal cord, the tumor is removed via an anterior microforaminotomy or a posterolateral approach. With these techniques, bone fusion is not necessary after tumor removal. Endoscopic transpedicular thoracic discectomy is performed via a 2-cm incision.
With these minimally invasive operations, patients usually recovers quick with minimal discomfort and short hospital stay. Thus, Dr. Jho's minimally invasive spinal surgery can be called functional spinal surgery in that the normal anatomy and functions are preserved as much as possible. However, if required with spinal instability caused by tumor invasion or trauma, spinal instrumentation and bone fusion are also performed by minimally invasive techniques.
Larry Seale
I choose to ride...slower and slower all the time
Hey POGers, I had to bring up an old but important issue to a lot of us older riders. Has anyone had or know anybody that has had an electro-stimilator "installed" to elimnate back pain? Due to previous surgerys my Doc says this may be a better way to go instead of disc replacement or another fusion. Its been on the news but with all the posts on this subject I wondered if anyone else has considered this option. It is reversable whereas disc replacement is not. I suppose they could take the artificial disc back out if problems occur but it dont sound like fun. Thanks,TTPaul
I would suggest to anyone, first try and find a medication that will work for you. I'm still looking.
I've considered it for my self, but haven't done it as yet. My lower back and butt is in constant pain down to my toes. None of the medications (dozen or so) prescribed worked. My concern was that I wouldn't have any feeling in the painful area and if injured wouldn't know it. Fell off the seat in the shower 3 weeks back (landed you know where) and for sure felt the after effects. Just a pulled ham string is all and it's about back normal now. It's an out patient procedure. Check the url below for the scoop.
http://www.webmd.com/content/chat_transcripts/1/104904.htm
Dale