About 14 years ago, I had a spinal
fusion/nerve decompression operation to
treat degenerative disc disease. I was 21
at the time & was told by the surgeon
I had the back of a 70 year old. After a
long recovery period and exercise program
the surgery generally relieved my previous
condition of severe lower lumbar pain
& pins & needles & pain that
radiated into my legs and arms. Since my
surgery, I've had episodes where the pain
returned, including the radiating kind,
but generally it was because I was lifting
something heavier than I should have,
sitting too long, etc. and it's always
gone away after a few days.
Five days ago, I was working out on a new
stationary recumbent bike. I purchased it
to add to my fitness program which
includes walking 2 miles every evening,
part of an effort to lose weight and lose
some of the belly I'm getting that
obviously puts strain on the back. On the
bike, I increased the level of resistance
from the lowest ("ride throught the park")
to the next level ("rolling hills") I
stayed on this level for the same 25
minutes I spent on the lowest level the
previous few days.
Within 30 minutes or so after I stopped
exercising I began having pretty sharp
pains near the site of my surgery,
radiating into my legs & with pins
& needles. It's seemed to get slowly
better but I can't sit nearly as long as I
could before without pain & pins &
needles occurring. I've treated the pain
when it's the worst with half a Vicodin
and during the day with Tramadol, a
non-narcotic. Just tonight when I walked
about half a mile it seemed to make it
worse. Is there any way overdoing it on a
recumbent exercise bike could have done
any real damage to my spine?!
|
Marie B.
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 28 Aug 2007 Posts: 231 Location: Ohio
Biking Posted: 09-04-07 07:09am
35. If the pain persists, you may need
another spinal evaluation. If you had one
surgery and have been healthy ever since
you have been especially blessed.
Many people who have had fusions
eventually have to face problems a second
time around.
Marie B.
