K11 Owners Group

[Christopher P.]

So, first off, I want to apologize for not posting much here. I joined up in anticipation of Hungry Mother early this year, at Gwen's urging, and had a fantastic time. I haven't spent much time on forums in general lately, and my presence here dwindled to about nothing. Sorry for not being neighborly.

More recently, I've been dealing with a problem in my back. At first I thought I'd just pulled a muscle, like I though I had every year or so for the last decade. Turns out it was a pretty massive herniation of the disk, and once we got into surgery earlier this week, it turns out it was an old herniation that calcified and was not removable - so some creative carving on the inside of my vertibrae made room for nerves and spinal cord, solving most of my problem.

Something my doc mentioned, which I see his point on but really don't want to follow through on, is giving up the bike. He sees it as a lot of unneeded stress on a critical part of the spine, and while it isn't the cause of all my problems, it ain't helping. I know some others here have had similar issue, and wanted to elicit opinions and experiences with back trouble and riding. His main concern is the compression going on.
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www.tidewaterforge.com

[Ernie-NH]

Hi Chris....

First.. I would like to say what a pleasure it was to meet you and so many others at HMSP-III. And I think we are ALL glad that you listened to Gwen and followed her urging. Your contributions to our "Meet" made it all the more memorable, as did the "long bolt" caper on your rear caliper mount !!!
Now.... as to the Doc's riding advice, simply put, I'd tell him to fuk-off !! I've been riding for more than 50 years more than half of which has been with one back problem or another, including fractures of all types, and the LAST THING I WOULD EVER DO is to give up my ride, no matter what it was/is ! When the Doc said to Burt Monro after his first heart siezure..." It looks like your motorcycling days are over !"... his first and most curt reply was... "" Like hell they are !!" and he went on to set a worlds MC land speed record just a few months thereafter !
The degree to which "riding" plays an important role in your life and defines who you are to your inner self, is your business and ONLY you know what that essentially means. Whether you ride or not, you have become one of us, and one of us you will remain.... verstehst du ??

Hoping ( ie: expecting ) to see you again at HMSP-IV !!

Good luck and best regards......// Ernie in NH
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AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

[Shoganai]

Chris, I didn't know this side of the story.

If I were you, I would get at least two more opinions, and one of those from a Doc that rides.

Many Docs are personally opposed to M/C and that shades their practice on medicine.

I should know :deal

I'll try to call you later this week.
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1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT


Nana korobi ya oki

[merlin geikie]

G'day Christopher,

I haven't met you, but by the look of your sig photo, you look like a sincere and friendly bloke who would be good to know.

I reckon Ernie makes a number of good points, the one I like best is;

[sdaniel]

On a personal observation note. I've found over the years when my back, neck or shoulders are stiff and tense. The best thing I can do is go for a ride. It loosens me up.

Granted I / we don't or didn't have a catastrophic failure, but I feel it is a great form of therapy. My .02 worth.
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1993 K1100LT

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.

[SugarHillCTD]

...............................
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John & Cathy

'92 K100RS4V Pearl White SOLD
'04 K1200GT
IBA Several-SS1k, BBG, 50CC NYC to S.F.

[bmwtf]

Engagement

Vitality

Life

[Ted]

Howdy Chris! Was just thinking about you the other day when I was trying to figure out how to unbend a leg of the outside table bent by a tree limb in the big storm

I have pretty much the same thing from many years ago, the disc popped and the jelly inside leaked and over time turned to calcium. You'll find daily exercise/stretching will do wonders. The one that works best for me I do before I go to bed and when I wake up, takes 3 minutes and can be done in bed (or on the floor for better results.)

Lie on back, legs out. Left knee up to stomach with hands on knee cap pulling in. Hold 15 seconds and back to both legs out. Repeat three times. Then do the same with the right knee. Then the fun one, both knees to chest at the same time with hands on knees pulling in, three 15-second reps. Consistency is key, every morning and every night.

That marvelous little 3-minute ritual has done wonders for my lower back and made even 1,000 mile days absent back pain (I would find some grassy patch and do this at every other gas fill - looks goofy but who cares LoL.)
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Ted
KOG#1

[Christopher P.]

Thank you all for your input. And Ted, that sounds like something I'll ask the PT's when I get to them in another 5 weeks.

Ernie, you crack me up.

Gwen, looking forward to it.

I fully intend to ask the Physical Therapists about it once I get this brace off and start working on that core strength thing again. I really like the suggestion of asking a doc who rides, but I'm unsure how to find one and arrange that conversation. My orthopedist is young and quite sure of himself, which I like, because his confidence is contagious, and that has helped through this whole ordeal. I know what he says makes sense, but I also know how I feel when I'm on the bike... and the two don't always synch up.

Thanks again for the support.
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www.tidewaterforge.com

[Ted]

Talk about coincidence!!! I know of a local to you Orthopedic who rides, good one too.

I will PM the info to you when my friend who found the Doc returns next week. She cracked up and broke her leg a year ago, all but giving up hope of riding again until she found this guy. He has her on some training regimen to get her strength and dexterity back, she is excited to put it mildly!
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Ted
KOG#1

[merlin geikie]

Ted writes;

[Shoganai]

[merlin geikie]

Ted has some sound advice;

[Christopher P.]

Allright, someone used the edit button, and I missed it.

I'm glad I showed my face back here again.


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www.tidewaterforge.com

[Shoganai]

[Ernie-NH]

Hi Chris....

See what I mean ???? Where else could you have this much fun for this price ?????

Be well and DO the "plump girl morning thing" for gosh sakes !!

Regards.............// Ernie in NH [/u]
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7

[Christopher P.]

Foot strength is better today - I still can't go from flat foot to toes on my left foot alone, but I can raise my heel -just- off the ground, and if I walk onto my extended toes, I can hold it... couldn't do that a couple days ago.

Signs of improvement, slow and steady. Wheeeee.
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www.tidewaterforge.com

[Ted]

Slow and steady wins the race!
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Ted
KOG#1

[Christopher P.]

Had my 2-week post-op yesterday, and finally got the bandages off. I cannot describe the relief; the glue from the pressure dressing was really irritating my skin. Took a shower this morning and soaped down the whole area real good, and finally feel "normal".

My surgeon said I was doing really well - pre-op, I was about 20% strength in the left leg, now I'm about 80%. Sensation is lagging a bit, but that's expected, since those nerve fibers are less protected. Another month of not lifiting more than 10 pounds, wearing the brace, and trying not to undo what's been done... then PT starts, and back to living normally again.


Thanks again for the encouragement, suggestions, and support. I really appreciate it.
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www.tidewaterforge.com

[Ernie-NH]

Hi Chris.....

GREAT news !

Best regards........// Ernie in NH
_________________
AMA,, American Deaf Bikers
Airhead Beemers Club
'11 G650gs
'95 K1100LT
'76 R100/7