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Is it worth to pay for a bike fit after ACDF surgery?

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Is it worth to pay for a bike fit after ACDF surgery?

Old 09-23-22, 11:52 AM
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3d1l
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Is it worth to pay for a bike fit after ACDF surgery?

Ok this is somehow related to my other posts. So I got my new mountain bike and made the changes that were discussed in other posts. The stem was changed to a shorter one, the handlebar was replaced with a Jones H-bar bend and a stem riser was also installed. Still, my neck/upper back feel sore after 30-40 minutes on the bike and not wanting to hurt my neck I stop after that. My ACDF surgery was 10 months ago (3 discs removed from c3 to c6). I was thinking on paying for a bike fit but since I'm not a cyclist, I just ride a bicycle, and I'm doing this for leisure and to lose weight (6' - 230#), not for sport, I'm wondering if it worth it. I mean I suppose that when you get a bike fit they will take for granted that your body will be forward inclined with you head stretching back so you can see forward and all that. I never heard that someone will take a bike fit to ride a bicycle like in a "beach cruiser style".

What do you think and what other recommendation do you have for my issue?

Is there any bike fitter here in the forum, that has had to deal with other people with similar conditions?

Regards.
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Old 09-23-22, 01:21 PM
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At 56yrs, 6’1”, 195lbs, I went for a fit.
I had returned to cycling after decades off the bike.
Fixed my knee pain in one visit.

It the cheapest upgrade ever to benefit my cycling.

Barry
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Old 09-23-22, 04:41 PM
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No opinion on the utility of fitting in your case, but I had 3-level cervical disease and got prosthetic discs above and below an ACDF at C5-6 instead of three fusions. I ride the same drop I rode when I raced and can trim the mainsail on my boat all day, but it took months of fairly serious rehab to get there. The focus was on strengthening the deep neck muscles with isometric exercises and maintaining a chin tuck when doing all the usual upper body weight-training stuff. When I was discharged from rehab someone at the (military) hospital put a note in my chart clearing me for unlimited activity, including a 100 lb ruck.

With three fusions you would have less mobility, but you could still work on the muscular endurance. If you’re not doing it already, you might ask your rehab team.
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Old 09-23-22, 05:55 PM
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vas ist der ACDF? Metal band?

gm
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Old 09-23-22, 06:20 PM
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I would think you talking to your doc and physical therapist would be more important.

If you have, hopefully they’ve given you a timeline and exercises. If nothing else they can determine the length of time you can safely ride.

I’m not sure a fitter can help unless you have specific spine angles you need to stay within.

John
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Old 09-23-22, 06:55 PM
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Originally Posted by gringomojado
vas ist der ACDF? Metal band?

gm
Anterior cervical discectomy and fusion. More techno-ish.
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Old 09-24-22, 06:21 AM
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If you go to a fitter, explain your specific needs, and if the fitter is not willing to put you in the position you want, walk away.

I think recovery is the biggest issue, though. Quite a few posters here do long/hard miles with fewer-than-average vertebrae. I guess everything around the injury has to be stronger than normal to compensate .... which means more PT.
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Old 09-25-22, 02:47 PM
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Yes a fitter is worth it for anyone. The myth that a bike fit is only for professional racers is absolutely silly. You are probably the most prime candidate for a fit that one could come up with. Getting you in the most optimal position with your issues is important. Being uncomfortable is just not a sensible thing and one I would for sure do my best to avoid.

Rehab and recovery is also important but if you plan on riding more than once or twice a year a fit is a huge upgrade to your bikes and yourself.
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Old 09-25-22, 02:54 PM
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I wish you a speedy recovery. I had four lumbar spine surgeries and I know how tough the cervical surgeries must be. Hope all goes well.

]QUOTE=3d1l;22657224]Ok this is somehow related to my other posts. So I got my new mountain bike and made the changes that were discussed in other posts. The stem was changed to a shorter one, the handlebar was replaced with a Jones H-bar bend and a stem riser was also installed. Still, my neck/upper back feel sore after 30-40 minutes on the bike and not wanting to hurt my neck I stop after that. My ACDF surgery was 10 months ago (3 discs removed from c3 to c6). I was thinking on paying for a bike fit but since I'm not a cyclist, I just ride a bicycle, and I'm doing this for leisure and to lose weight (6' - 230#), not for sport, I'm wondering if it worth it. I mean I suppose that when you get a bike fit they will take for granted that your body will be forward inclined with you head stretching back so you can see forward and all that. I never heard that someone will take a bike fit to ride a bicycle like in a "beach cruiser style".

What do you think and what other recommendation do you have for my issue?

Is there any bike fitter here in the forum, that has had to deal with other people with similar conditions?

Regards.[/QUOTE]
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Old 09-25-22, 11:08 PM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
If you go to a fitter, explain your specific needs, and if the fitter is not willing to put you in the position you want, walk away.

I think recovery is the biggest issue, though. Quite a few posters here do long/hard miles with fewer-than-average vertebrae. I guess everything around the injury has to be stronger than normal to compensate .... which means more PT.
Well, they don't "remove" the vertebrae, so there are not less of them. They are fused together acting as a single unit.
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Old 09-27-22, 03:55 PM
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That you can ride 30 or 40 minutes is extremely encouraging. If you do that regularly and it is a positive experience keep going. Minor upper back and shoulder stress is normal for cycling. If regular cycling is making things worse just stop until you get advice you can trust. Good advice is advice that makes riding easier. You are the judge.

I take a dim view of fitters. First query to fitter would be how much does he know about ACDF surgery. If you are still seeing a PT ask them what they know. Or if you simply had a good relationship with your post-surgery PT, get back to them, have them review whatever you get from the fitter.

The guy around here who has a really good rep for fits, I've known him since he was five years old. Knew his father. He expresses frustration with fits to current fashion for racers. He is proud of his beach cruiser fits and does them for free, same as it was when his father did them.

Asking a fitter to practice medicine is asking a lot. Not a good position for them to be in. If your current fit is obviously causing needless stress they should be able to spot that.. There would be a limit. Just as there is a limit on what you can learn online.

A handful of fitters do have medical credentials. A good fitter will know who to refer you to if that much is called for.
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Old 09-27-22, 05:55 PM
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I started back on a bike after many years off about 15 years ago, I went for a retul fitting about 5 months ago. I thought my setup was pretty good, but discovered that I needed a longer stem and now I am far more comfortable on my long rides. I would recommend getting one
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Old 09-28-22, 03:41 AM
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Originally Posted by Maelochs
If you go to a fitter, explain your specific needs, and if the fitter is not willing to put you in the position you want, walk away.

I think recovery is the biggest issue, though. Quite a few posters here do long/hard miles with fewer-than-average vertebrae. I guess everything around the injury has to be stronger than normal to compensate .... which means more PT.
This^

I would say that your "typical" bike fitter (mainly dealing with road racing bike fits using Retul etc) is not really going to be of much help here. Some of the better fitters (there are a few who actually specialise in injury recovery fitting) might be able to help you, but I think you are more likely to be wasting your money here. It all comes down to the specific experience of the fitter and I would expect most would be out of their depth here. A physio who happens to also be a keen cyclist is probably your best bet for advice.
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Old 09-29-22, 06:34 PM
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Hey I had a similar surgery 12 months ago (they came in from the front and took out c5, fused c4-c6 with screws.) Are you thorough with your physical therapy? I never did physical therapy and really regret it. Don't have a bike fit but I kind of doubt a fitter would be of much use, you have a unique medical case. What works for me is riding less aggressive, more upright, sounds like you found the same works for you. Listen to your body.
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Old 10-02-22, 09:32 AM
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Long time rider. Club rides, USCF races, etc. A broken neck from an mva caused me require a 3 level ACDF. Was already thinking I needed to get more upright before surgery. Neck hurt! Got a Surly Cross Check. Played with different bar/stem combo's. Ended up with Albatross bars, short 8cm stem. Grant Peterson style setup. The problem doesn't come from neck strength. All the traing you can do will not make the fused vertabrae bend. That's what a fusion does. As my neuro guy pointed out, also, if you push how far you can bend it to the limits, you will be throwing a lot of stress to the two vertabrae on the ends of the fused ones, risking damage to more discs. I'm choosing not to do more damage. And, I'm enjoying the tourist style rides.....

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Old 10-02-22, 09:25 PM
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Hey, my apologies I lost track of this post. I had to stop riding since last week and had to call my neuro because I got a severe spasm in the scalene and trapeziums muscles in the neck. It was so bad that I got three intravenous shots at once, toradol, demerol and valium and I'm taking strong pain killers. I have also developed a discomfort in the rhomboid area. I don't know how but everything seems to be interconnected. I'm back with the physiatrist taking therapy. It is good to hear that for some of you things have gone well. I'm taking some short walks though, I'm walking as much as I can tolerate. gorillimo that trail in the photo looks nice, as I said in other post I'm looking to ride over white and green trails or fireroads but sadly I'm gonna have to take a pause.

Again thanks for all your comments.
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Old 10-04-22, 07:06 AM
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Originally Posted by 3d1l
Hey, my apologies I lost track of this post. I had to stop riding since last week and had to call my neuro because I got a severe spasm in the scalene and trapeziums muscles in the neck. It was so bad that I got three intravenous shots at once, toradol, demerol and valium and I'm taking strong pain killers. I have also developed a discomfort in the rhomboid area. I don't know how but everything seems to be interconnected. I'm back with the physiatrist taking therapy. It is good to hear that for some of you things have gone well. I'm taking some short walks though, I'm walking as much as I can tolerate. gorillimo that trail in the photo looks nice, as I said in other post I'm looking to ride over white and green trails or fireroads but sadly I'm gonna have to take a pause.

Again thanks for all your comments.
You have a physiatrist. There aren't that many of them. Best person for this problem. Good.
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Old 10-27-22, 04:36 PM
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Bummer.

After taking some time to recover from my spasm problems I felt well enough to take a quick ride. Long story short, I fell from the bike lacerated my elbow and fracture my collarbone. I'm still recovering. The good news in the midst of the bad news is that it was not a type of fracture where the bone moves and hurt the muscles or something. There's nothing else that can be done but to rest and wait for the bone to heal itself.

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Old 10-28-22, 03:43 AM
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Sad to hear you fell .... was it related to your condition of just a mishap?
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Old 10-28-22, 05:51 AM
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Nah, it was not related to my condition. It was something similar to what happened to this guy:


The only difference is than in my case the trail was wet... and I was going much more slower.

Last edited by 3d1l; 10-28-22 at 05:54 AM.
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Old 10-28-22, 07:16 AM
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Sorry about your crash. I had read your quandary about fit and did not comment because I have not had that surgery, although I need it at 4 levels. I am not a real fan of bike fits. I have had three in my life. Two were a waste of a lot of money and one had me in the wrong size frame. One was excellent and made a lot of difference early in my riding career.

One of the things I learned with pain emanating from nerves in that region, balance can be impacted. I am not speculating that is why you fell. I just know when I am in pain, my balance is impaired. Passing that on in case it helps as your neck gets better and better.
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Old 10-28-22, 08:29 AM
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Originally Posted by 3d1l
Hey, my apologies I lost track of this post. I had to stop riding since last week and had to call my neuro because I got a severe spasm in the scalene and trapeziums muscles in the neck. It was so bad that I got three intravenous shots at once, toradol, demerol and valium and I'm taking strong pain killers. I have also developed a discomfort in the rhomboid area. I don't know how but everything seems to be interconnected. I'm back with the physiatrist taking therapy. It is good to hear that for some of you things have gone well. I'm taking some short walks though, I'm walking as much as I can tolerate. gorillimo that trail in the photo looks nice, as I said in other post I'm looking to ride over white and green trails or fireroads but sadly I'm gonna have to take a pause.

Again thanks for all your comments.
At the risk of luring a certain someone into this conversation, have you considered the possibility of riding recumbents at least for a while?

I don't know anything about this, but I seem to recall there's some people on the forums who have made this switch and then switched back as their rehab progressed.
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Old 10-28-22, 08:56 AM
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Forgot to mention, a recumbent with a properly fitted neck rest would help. They make them in 2, 3, and 4 wheels. With or without suspension. Narrow or wide tires.

The key advantage of supporting your head in a reclined position ot prolonging adjacent disc degeneration. With three fused vertebrae, the unfused adjacent joints bear a heavier than normal load and tend to cause problems down the road. This is something to discuss with a surgeon. I have spoken to about 10 of these guys and except for the Europeans who would do articifical discs on me, they all warned me of adjacent disk degneration.
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Old 10-28-22, 10:33 AM
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Love my Prestige® implants!






Last edited by MoAlpha; 10-28-22 at 10:43 AM.
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Old 10-28-22, 10:57 AM
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Originally Posted by MoAlpha
Love my Prestige® implants!





I was supposed to have four M6-C installed by Dr. Clavel in Barcelona in late March of 2020 but then travel was shut down. Then, I tried to get a medical exemption from the Consulate later in 2021 IIRC but no dice. Your ADR placement looks good, hope you are pain-free. I had trouble with my insurance company, so, I was going to pay out of pocket.
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