I fell 10' at a job site in 1989, collapsing L4-L5 and L5-S1. Lost the use of my right leg and the workman's compensation insurer strung me along with minimal help for 11 years. Fought them but just wanted to be able to work and make a living so I kept right on working in the field.

I had the L5-S1 rupture in October 2002, left leg went numb and I had poor control of it. A laminectomy was done that December. Still no use of the right leg still but some back relief. In September of 2003 I started having bad pain and left leg numbness so the neurosurgeon had fascet series started that month. the second one made me feel as if I had been hit in the low back with a 2"X4", the surgeon sent me for an MRI that afternoon, the rupture had recurred, much worse so I had another laminectomy in October of that year. Three days later I was in severe pain, I was sent over to another neurosurgeon for evaluation and tests. The disks at L4-L5 and L5-S1 had both blown out badly and he ordered a P.L.I.F. in January of 2004. I got the right leg back, the pain was gone and I had some expensive titanium in my back. After 4 months of rehab I returned to full time work and racing motocross. No more pain meds for the back, either.

I have 2 autologlus bone grafts with Ti cages, 2 plates and 4 screws, all Ti and I am pain free to this day on my back. I now limit myself to bicycling due to other problems not related to my back. No bicycling restrictions from any doctors. Riding actually loosens up the back and other core muscles for me.

Talk to your doctor and maybe a few other physicians for options and recommendations. Best of luck with you back and your riding.

Bill