Originally Posted by
BikeArkansas
I had basically the same operation several years ago. Cycling has been about the only exercise I can stay with. All other exercises causes problems. Not sure how long to stay off. I did not discover cycling until a few years after the surgery. I was floundering with my lack of exercise due to back pain and was becoming depressed about my future. Once I discovered road biking everything changed. I am now in good physical condition, well good condition for being 64 years old. Last summer I routinely rode metric centuries in 3 hours or less. For me, that is great shape.
To sum it up, cycling after back surgery has been a life saver.
This is the same for me. After years of chronic back pain I experienced a herniation and back surgery 1999. I am 63, will be 64 in August. I started riding last March, joined a small group in May and ride nearly every day. I was quite weak to begin with but in time I grew stronger. The past few years my back had started to bother me more, waking up with discomfort and needing to work it out. After just a few months stretched over my new Specialized Dolce Sport I noticed my back bothered me less and less. Since then I have bought a few more bikes a Trek 520 and most recently a Surly Pugsley fatbike to continue riding through the winter. My car remains in the garage when I have to grocery shop and other in town errands. BTW .. the fatbike is such a blast to ride, so much different than any other bike I own.
I honestly believe biking helps post back surgery. Still, follow your doctor's advice before you get back on. I have a friend who just had surgery right after Christmas. Turned out there was more damage to his spine than what his MRI showed. He is anxiously waiting to get back on his bike.