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I don't know who originally posted this, I must of
deleted it, but I had anterior lumbar spinal fusion with titanium cages last Oct
2001 and I am successfully riding again.
Most important thing is DON'T
TRY TO RIDE BEFORE YOUR READY! I waited approx 6 months and then I
only walked around for short, short rides. Started off 15 minutes
first two weeks, then 30 minutes, then 40, etc. Common sense is important
at this stage of the game.
Once you get done your physical therapy DON'T STOP DOING YOUR EXERCISES ever, for eternity, if you
want to keep riding. And start a good stretching program before and after your
ride. Stretching has helped me the most, I stretch at least 4 days a
week!
And DON'T LISTEN TO THE DOCTORS
WHO SAY YOU'LL NEVER RIDE AGAIN!!!! In fact if I had a Dr like that
he wouldn't of been my doctor for long! I got lucky my Neurosurgeon used
to do Tri-Athalons and he had the same exact surgery done on him. So he
knows about the passion to compete. He never told me NOT to do stuff, but
he did say to be careful when I did start and to wait until PT was over.
Following the recovery instructions is vitally important. Most people I talked
to who didn't have good recoveries didn't listen to their Dr's during the
recovery period.
Also stay away from the ONLINE SPINAL SURGERY
BOARDS AND LISTS! They are so depressing and full of people who didn't
have good surgeries. I've had tons of positive emails from Ridecamp people
who had the surgery done and tons of negative doom and gloom emails from those
spinal surgery lists and boards. You don't want to fill your head up with
a bunch of negative attitudes right now. Attitude is EVERYTHING when it
comes to how well you recover!
Well I went on off topic long enough!
Whoever started this thread feel free to email me
private and I can fill you in more.
Cheryl Newbanks
Litchfield Park, AZ
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, August 31, 2002 10:42
AM
Subject: Re: [RC] Back injuries and
riding
Have a good neurosurgeon and do
what he tells you. I did not get on a horse for 11 months after having
surgery. Mine was at C5-6 and C6-7. But I was at the Swanton
Pacific 100 2 weeks after getting out of the hospital, with my neck collar on
and just making sure I was well out of the way of any horses knocking me
down. I have never had any problems with it since then. However,
if you are talking lower back, that is something I can't
address....mb
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