Spondylolsis and Cycling

[River Rat]

I have just been to the radiologist to check out the condition of my spondylolsis. My condition relates to a fracture in the facets in the L5 and currently manifests as a acute lower back pain. I was diagnosed with this condition in 2009 and I have been unable to paddle since then. This is hugely frustrating as I'm a mere 3 Duzis shy of my 20th. I tried all sorts of physio treatment and core exercises. I eventually resorted to MTBiking out sheer desperation to get some sort of relief from the boredom and ultimately the pain. This has worked a treat and although I can't get back into a canoe I have really enjoyed my MTBiking and I am leading a normal life without any chronic back pain.

 

However, I have noticed that in recent races that my inablity to ride hills is really taking its toll and my leg strength has reduced my hill pace to a pedestrian spin in my lowest gear and believe me I look for the lowest possible gear ratio available. Fitness is not an issue and I comfortably finish a Sani, Sabie or Mankele stage race albeit at the back of the field. This lack of leg strength has forced me consider whether I am doing more harm than good when it comes to cycling and I have decided to have it checked out. Today's X-rays confirm that my condition has not deteriorated nor has it improved which is concerning considering the effort that I have put in. I am off to see a spine specialist as soon as I can get an appointment but I was wondering whether there are any other spondylolsis suffers out here and how you have coped.

[madmarc]

I don't have what you are suffering from. But that guy you ride past on the hills is probably me, so i have the same issues, just no leg strength when climbing and it really pisses me off. Now i'm doing a lot of length strength exorcises specific for MTBing as well a core training.

[GrumpyOldGuy]

I personally think only a neuro surgeon can advise you correctly and I would never consider even contemplating advice from an internet forum.

 

Although where I think discussing it with other people who have experienced similar issues does help, if only to know you are not alone.

 

My experience was similar, my lumbar discs deteriorated to such a degree I could no longer even depress the clutch in my car my legs had become so weak. Just like you, I tried everything before undergoing surgery, nothing helped, mechanically I was impaired and no amount of manipulation, Physio etc was going to change that.

 

After the fusion it was a long road to recovery, but I can say now I am 99%recovered, my leg strength is back to normal, I run I ride, I swim, I hike and so far there is nothing I have found I cant do, and best of all its pain free.

 

A few years ago the degeneration caused me to undergo a cervical fusion, again it was a complete and utter success, sure there are some precautions I take now and I wont be bungee jumping for example anytime in the future, but in general both procedures were a great success.

 

There is light at the end of the tunnel even though you may not think so now, I would discuss your particular problem with a neuro surgeon who you feel comfortable with and take it from there.

 

Good luck.

[Boyracer]

Try speaking to a rheumatologist - biologics work for me. PM for more info.

[River Rat]

Thanks for the replys.

 

Marc it's actually not possible to be slower than I am on hills so I doubt if I ever had the pleasure of passing you on an uphill.

 

GOG the fact that you had a positive outcome is just the news I needed to hear and I have an appointment setup with a spine specialist in 4weeks time. The hard part is trying to be patient once you have decided to do something about it.

 

Boyracer can I take a rain check on your advice until after consulting with the specialist?

[Maximis]

I'm glad this topic came up. My sister in law has recently been diagnosed with this condition and she is struggling with the pain and doing exercise to better her condition. Her husband, my brother, is a mtb newby and he really wants his wife to share this interest. However they are concerned about her condition? So based on the 1st comment of this thread, it would seem that it's ok to ride with this condition???

[GrumpyOldGuy]

Thanks for the replys.

 

Marc it's actually not possible to be slower than I am on hills so I doubt if I ever had the pleasure of passing you on an uphill.

 

GOG the fact that you had a positive outcome is just the news I needed to hear and I have an appointment setup with a spine specialist in 4weeks time. The hard part is trying to be patient once you have decided to do something about it.

 

Boyracer can I take a rain check on your advice until after consulting with the specialist?

 

Indeed it is, but afterwards, please let us know what the medical specialist suggests, hopefully its a positive outcome.

[Face Plant]

Hey River Rat as you know i am not a MD but i do know that if the spondylolsis is causing a pinched nerve this would explain the muscle weakness ( do you have any dead spots on your leg or butt area?) but, most likely that will only be in one leg, the chances of it affecting both legs IMO is very slim, furthermore is the problem only experienced when climbing or is it a general muscle weakness problem? you mentioned that the latest X-ray shows that there is no deterioration which is great news however a X-ray would of shown if you had a narrowed nerve channel which would have explained the muscle weakness.

 

there are tests that biokineticist do that can determine the power output of muscles, maybe you should have this checked to determine if there is a problem with your power output. If there isn't a problem then it may be a climbing technique problem?

 

i have had alot of problems with my lower back in the past and if there is someone that can work wonders its Dr Gregory Duddy at the Meyerdale chiropractic clinic http://www.chiroville.co.za/ maybe consider giving him a call.

 

hope you get it sorted out! good luck !

[River Rat]

I'm glad this topic came up. My sister in law has recently been diagnosed with this condition and she is struggling with the pain and doing exercise to better her condition. Her husband, my brother, is a mtb newby and he really wants his wife to share this interest. However they are concerned about her condition? So based on the 1st comment of this thread, it would seem that it's ok to ride with this condition???

 

I am not sure what your sister in law's condition is but I was unable to sit in a car seat or in my canoe for that matter for longer than 30min before my legs would go numb coupled with an excruciating back pain. After about 6 weeks of core strength exercises my doctor eventually relented and allowed me to get on a MTB. His reasoning at the time was that I had a long history of doing endurance sports and I was in a reasonable physical condition. It was a slow process and it took me about 3 months before I could do a 45km race but the good news for your sister in law is that I have completed 6 stage races since then albeit finishing at the back of the field. I still get backache but I have learnt to ride with it and as per the recent X-rays it has not caused any further damage. My problem now is that I am struggling to come to terms with the fact that my race pace would suggest that I cannot even begin to think of a Joberg2c or an Epic for that matter. I am also running out of partners with sufficient patience to wait for me on the uphills and then ride like the clappers on the downhills.