UKC

I'm waiting for L5/S1 fusion (ALIF) - anyone had this surgery and got back to cycling?

If so, how long before you were able to ride again?

In reply to Batcloud:

A mate of mine had this done last year....I think he was off the bike for about 3 months. He rides mountain bikes though so I think getting back to it may have been easier due to the more upright position?! Are you talking road riding or mountain bike? I'll ask him about it tomorrow and post what he says...

In reply to abr1966:

Cheers.
Mainly road/touring, occasional MTB and the odd TT.

In reply to Batcloud:

Go and ask on Cycle Chat, which is almost 100% road orientated and full of knowledgeable bods.

In reply to Batcloud: L3-5 fused over 2 years ago through an accident so long recovery. Started back on a turbo set up on my old mtb to get into the swing of it and build back slowly. Ironically my road bike (specialised Allez)was slightly more upright with the stem flipped. Used my full suss mtb initially and that was great because it took the sting out of bumps. Got back to both roadie and mtb regularly and was a key part of my recovery actually. Stem now back down on the allez and shortened the stem on the mtb so less stretched. I was very very religious with stretching and did go to Pilates for 6 months plus my own stretching regime to help with flexibility. Climbing definitely helped as well as stretched out my back, used a lats machine initially to build back up to pull ups and deadhangs without full weight. Fully back to climbing and biking. Hope that helps.

In reply to Neil Morrison:

Many thanks, great to hear a good news story. You were clearly fit prior to your accident whereas I've had many years of chronic back issues so no guarantees of an improvement but it's good to hear you can get back to where you were before the fusion. I'm hoping the surgery will allow me to start to reverse some of the damage to nerves/muscles etc.
Best of luck with your continued recovery.

In reply to Batcloud:

I had L1-L3 fusion in August 2015 after a burst fracture to L2. Running hurts but I'm back on the road bike. Still get some radiated pain in the hip (connects to spine at L2) on a long ride but it's a damn sight better than it would have been. Core strength and good stretching is crucial.