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Returning to riding after Cervical Spine Fusion

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Returning to riding after Cervical Spine Fusion

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flag Drummer1
Posted: Nov 9, 2021 at 11:33 Quote
Long shot here, but figured why not. I was in a bad crash this summer and broke my neck, grade III fracture and displacement of my C2 and C1 vertebrae, along with fracturing my T6 in my back, among other things. I had emergency spinal fusion connecting the C1 to C3 on 8/1/21 and have been braced without movement for 12 weeks.

Post surgery I was told I would loose about 30-35% of my head movement as a majority is derived from those first 3 vertebrae. At my 12 week appointment getting the brace off the surgeon increased that to a 50% reduction. Just had my first PT appointment and at this point even a 50% reduction feels like real wishful thinking.

Has anyone had any experience with a C1/C2 or even C1-C3 spinal fusion, or know anyone that has? I am wondering what your, or their experience was trying to get back to riding? Specifically looking far enough ahead, and head rotation to look through corners.

Anything is appreciated.

Thanks.
flag Sh00terMcGavin
Posted: Nov 13, 2021 at 19:45 Quote
Yikes, really sorry to hear that.

I haven't broken my neck, but I do have bad TMJ and related cervical neck issues (loss of lordosis, C1 and C2 displaced forward etc) and it causes me a lot of problems, not just on the bike. I have definitely noticed that I am not able to make the quick jerky head movements I need when flying through the trails, however. Everytime I remember to look through the corners, I instantly start to ride better and faster. Usually it doesn't last too long before my neck is physically unable to maintain that. A trip to the chiro, and my next ride is instantly better because of a slight increase in ROM.

Not at all trying to discourage you, but after a crash that caused that sort of damage, and probably having all this time off to learn about the importance of the cervical neck, do you really want to chance it?

If so, obviously start slow, but maybe now is the time to invest in a riding neck brace? I may start wearing one even without any major neck injuries.

Sorry, that's all I've got for ya. I hope you can continue Physio and get stronger to safely ride again!
flag CSdirt
Posted: Dec 2, 2021 at 14:16 Quote
You will get better and gain more flexion, stay positive!

I can sorta relate in the fusion/recovery of your surgery. I had c5-6 fused. Lost about 15-20% movement. Initially thought I had lost tons of movement and was devastated. But its incredible how the body adapts. I don't notice anything these days. I'd say recover is 100% and see no reason why you wont be the same. You'll adapt!

It did take an extremely long time to recover. 9+ months. I felt very tired and weak for months and months. Also, my fusion was delayed. Would recommend a bone simulator. I tried absolutely everything to recover quickly (nutrition, vitamins, PT, etc). Went through some dark times for sure, but all is good now.

With you being braced for the last 12 weeks you are going to be insanely stiff everywhere. Trust me, you will gain a lot more mobility. It wont effect your bike riding. Get an aggressive PT that will challenge you and learn to love daily yoga.
flag csharp1171
O+
Posted: Dec 9, 2021 at 18:47 Quote
I've been battling c5-c6 and c6-c7 herniated disc and may be looking into surgery soon. Fusion is one of the options so subscribing to this thread. Hope you have a speedy recovery.
flag CSdirt
Posted: Dec 10, 2021 at 8:18 Quote
csharp1171 wrote:
I've been battling c5-c6 and c6-c7 herniated disc and may be looking into surgery soon. Fusion is one of the options so subscribing to this thread. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Dang sorry dude. hit me up if you have any detailed questions.

insert Im not a doctor blah blah.....let me help you save time, if your disks are truly herniated (mri shows this) and you are getting all the shoulder/kneck pain with numbness/tingles/loss of strength down your arm(s), then its fusion time. Just go do it now. You cant fix a herniated disk. The longer your nerves are compressed the worse things get. I tried literally everything for about a year to avoid fusion. The cosrtison shots helped for a few weeks (had 6 shots) and traction was nice for the day. In the end it all just got worse and I could have recovered a year earlier. I wish someone had told me that when I was in your position. Now, everyone is different blah blah blah... and bulged disk can be managed.
flag csharp1171
O+
Posted: Dec 10, 2021 at 13:45 Quote
CSdirt wrote:
csharp1171 wrote:
I've been battling c5-c6 and c6-c7 herniated disc and may be looking into surgery soon. Fusion is one of the options so subscribing to this thread. Hope you have a speedy recovery.

Dang sorry dude. hit me up if you have any detailed questions.

insert Im not a doctor blah blah.....let me help you save time, if your disks are truly herniated (mri shows this) and you are getting all the shoulder/kneck pain with numbness/tingles/loss of strength down your arm(s), then its fusion time. Just go do it now. You cant fix a herniated disk. The longer your nerves are compressed the worse things get. I tried literally everything for about a year to avoid fusion. The cosrtison shots helped for a few weeks (had 6 shots) and traction was nice for the day. In the end it all just got worse and I could have recovered a year earlier. I wish someone had told me that when I was in your position. Now, everyone is different blah blah blah... and bulged disk can be managed.

MRI confirmed bulging at c5-c6 and c6-c7. Had one injection that did nothing. PT did nothing. Traction made it worse. Luckily I don't have any numbness/tingling down my arm but the pain comes and goes in the shoulder/neck area. For now I've just been dealing with it but it's getting old. The first neurosurgeon I saw doesn't really think surgery is warranted but did mention cervical foraminotomy may help. I'm looking for someone else now so I can get a second opinion.
flag BeaverCreaker
Posted: Dec 10, 2021 at 18:18 Quote
Not upper cervical but I fractured C6 and C7 riding a few years ago and I feel about 95% now. Just some minor pain when I don't exercise it and keep the muscles strong. You gotta take physical therapy very serious, and continue it at home or at a gym any way you can after your physio is done. It's going to be a lifelong, every other day kind of thing or it will feel like shit unless you get very lucky.

There is hope. I've seen examples of high level athletes breaking upper cervical, then returning to their previous athletic level, on a bike or off.
flag RezRN
Posted: Feb 26, 2022 at 21:59 Quote
I'm fused from C2-C6, I used hot yoga to rehab. I have years of yoga practice and know my body very well. Never pushed to hard. That was about 10 years ago. I still ride DH, but wear a Leatt neck collar and TLD DH helmet.
flag shelbossy
O+
Posted: May 18, 2024 at 15:29 Quote
Drummer1 wrote:
Long shot here, but figured why not. I was in a bad crash this summer and broke my neck, grade III fracture and displacement of my C2 and C1 vertebrae, along with fracturing my T6 in my back, among other things. I had emergency spinal fusion connecting the C1 to C3 on 8/1/21 and have been braced without movement for 12 weeks.

Post surgery I was told I would loose about 30-35% of my head movement as a majority is derived from those first 3 vertebrae. At my 12 week appointment getting the brace off the surgeon increased that to a 50% reduction. Just had my first PT appointment and at this point even a 50% reduction feels like real wishful thinking.

Has anyone had any experience with a C1/C2 or even C1-C3 spinal fusion, or know anyone that has? I am wondering what your, or their experience was trying to get back to riding? Specifically looking far enough ahead, and head rotation to look through corners.

Anything is appreciated.

Thanks.


Wondering if you can give me an update on how you are doing. My husband had a bad crash a couple of days ago and one of his injuries is a type 2 odontoid fracture. It seems like we are headed down the path of having C1 and C2 fused. What is your range of motion like? Are you limited in biking or other activities? Also curious if you have any sensation because of the hardware or nerve pain.
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