Back on a bike after major surgery
Discussion
At 38 I finally trusted myself to learn how to ride. Have always wanted to back to my early teens. I did the CBT in October and picked up a CB125R as I knew I wanted to get some miles under my belt. The bike is excellent, and I just love being on two wheels. I wanted to progress, but wanted to wait for better weather.
I had a funny turn in December, GP advised I had a murmur. Not concerned, the dog has had one for years. During the following months I had a few more tests, and started the DAS. Turns out I need Mitral valve repair, possible replacement. It’s a through the rib cage job. The OP was meant to be last month, but was cancelled as I caught CV for the first time. I’m in at the end of the month.
Consultant and surgeon have advised I’m fine to drive and ride up to then, but I have put the bike on the trickle charger and in hibernation. Serviced and MOT’d.
I have been advised i can’t drive for at least 8 weeks after the op, and that will be decided by the surgeon. Brilliant timing as my wife’s due date is week 7 of recovery!
Realistically, and sensibly, when do we think I should even consider getting back out on two wheels. I’m thinking at least writing the rest of the year off.
I had a funny turn in December, GP advised I had a murmur. Not concerned, the dog has had one for years. During the following months I had a few more tests, and started the DAS. Turns out I need Mitral valve repair, possible replacement. It’s a through the rib cage job. The OP was meant to be last month, but was cancelled as I caught CV for the first time. I’m in at the end of the month.
Consultant and surgeon have advised I’m fine to drive and ride up to then, but I have put the bike on the trickle charger and in hibernation. Serviced and MOT’d.
I have been advised i can’t drive for at least 8 weeks after the op, and that will be decided by the surgeon. Brilliant timing as my wife’s due date is week 7 of recovery!
Realistically, and sensibly, when do we think I should even consider getting back out on two wheels. I’m thinking at least writing the rest of the year off.
Edited by PT1984 on Sunday 14th August 12:19
Even though it's a very light bike, I expect that your chest will tell you if it's too soon to be back in the saddle.
A lot will depend on the riding position and how much weight goes through your arms and into your chest.
I'd be inclined to keep the bike taxed and tested and just see how it goes, rather that writing off the rest of the year.
Good luck!
A lot will depend on the riding position and how much weight goes through your arms and into your chest.
I'd be inclined to keep the bike taxed and tested and just see how it goes, rather that writing off the rest of the year.
Good luck!
Assuming you will get post-op physiotherapy, I would ask their advice.
The physio should be monitoring you for progress anyway and can give specific exercises to help repair the damage/prevent future injury.
Having done various stupid things to myself over the years with rugby, crashes, falls, fights etc, the physio was way more help than the doctor IMHO.
The physio should be monitoring you for progress anyway and can give specific exercises to help repair the damage/prevent future injury.
Having done various stupid things to myself over the years with rugby, crashes, falls, fights etc, the physio was way more help than the doctor IMHO.
I had surgery back in April to put my arm back together after coming off my bike. Also had 3 spinal fractures.
Was told I wouldn’t be allowed to drive for at least 6 weeks and wouldn’t be able to ride for potentially 1 year.
I had a plate fitted so only had a cast on for 3 weeks, spoke to doctor when I had my cast off about being able to drive, was alittle non-committal but I understood. Referred me to a physio who I got into see the following day.
They advised I try driving a car but in an off-road environment to see how I got on. Couldn’t do it safely so carried out exercises on my arm almost constantly for a week, tried again driving off road and was much better. 4 weeks after surgery I was driving again.
After 12 weeks I was back on a bike again, biggest problem there was my back but, again, exercise and pushing myself very hard paid off and picked up a new bike end of June.
The timescale they give you isn’t set in stone, it’s all down to the individual and how quickly they heal and how much work they put into speeding up the healing process.
Was told I wouldn’t be allowed to drive for at least 6 weeks and wouldn’t be able to ride for potentially 1 year.
I had a plate fitted so only had a cast on for 3 weeks, spoke to doctor when I had my cast off about being able to drive, was alittle non-committal but I understood. Referred me to a physio who I got into see the following day.
They advised I try driving a car but in an off-road environment to see how I got on. Couldn’t do it safely so carried out exercises on my arm almost constantly for a week, tried again driving off road and was much better. 4 weeks after surgery I was driving again.
After 12 weeks I was back on a bike again, biggest problem there was my back but, again, exercise and pushing myself very hard paid off and picked up a new bike end of June.
The timescale they give you isn’t set in stone, it’s all down to the individual and how quickly they heal and how much work they put into speeding up the healing process.
Just an opinion here based on my personal experience.
I don’t think there will be major muscle trauma after the surgery. My kid had the same surgery but he was less than 2 years old so couldn’t do keyhole, so had the full saw through the sturnum, if it was that, then yeah, maybe wait 6 months or a year etc.
but for this, once the scar tissue has healed, there is no reason why you shouldnt live your life as normal.
After my accident and back surgery, I felt a little fragile and lacked done physical confidence, if you have that, then taking a small bike out for a gentle ride, might be the best thing you can do to get out and about and get your confidence back. But basically your body shoukd be just as strong as it was before after 8 weeks, good luck!
I don’t think there will be major muscle trauma after the surgery. My kid had the same surgery but he was less than 2 years old so couldn’t do keyhole, so had the full saw through the sturnum, if it was that, then yeah, maybe wait 6 months or a year etc.
but for this, once the scar tissue has healed, there is no reason why you shouldnt live your life as normal.
After my accident and back surgery, I felt a little fragile and lacked done physical confidence, if you have that, then taking a small bike out for a gentle ride, might be the best thing you can do to get out and about and get your confidence back. But basically your body shoukd be just as strong as it was before after 8 weeks, good luck!
Thanks for that. And I hope all is well. Unfortunately entry is ‘full saw through the sternum’. Which I’m trying not to think about……
With the timescale. It’s only the surgeon who can tell me I can drive a car again. And the first consultation after being discharged is 8 weeks.
With the timescale. It’s only the surgeon who can tell me I can drive a car again. And the first consultation after being discharged is 8 weeks.
Edited by PT1984 on Sunday 14th August 18:28
Unless you have problems with healing of your sternotomy (dividing the breastbone) you should be OK around the 8 week mark, depending on what you ride. I had similar surgery in 2015, I'm also a doctor. I wasn't riding my motorbike much back then but just checked my Strava app and my first ride on my pedal bike was 11 weeks post-op.
You'll find lots of daily activities will hurt like hell initially, but it gets better quite quickly. ISTR turning over in bed was one of the worst! In terms of the bike, the biggest challenge is likely to be getting it on and off a centre stand. I think if you ride a sports bike the actual riding might well hurt a bit, but if you've got something fairly relaxed you shouldn't really need to put much force through the bars.
Hope all goes well.
You'll find lots of daily activities will hurt like hell initially, but it gets better quite quickly. ISTR turning over in bed was one of the worst! In terms of the bike, the biggest challenge is likely to be getting it on and off a centre stand. I think if you ride a sports bike the actual riding might well hurt a bit, but if you've got something fairly relaxed you shouldn't really need to put much force through the bars.
Hope all goes well.
Some years ago (8 years ago now I think), my father had a heart valve replacment. The day before he was due to go into hospital, he spent the day ut on his motorcycle with his brother...a sort of "last hurrah just in case" kind of thing.
After his operation, it was a few months before he got back on, it took a while to get back to fitness.
I say to you, go for it as long as you feel safe and able to up to the day of your operation, and then give yourself a few months recovery afterwards.
It'll give you something to look forward to and motivation to do those exercises and get eating to get back what you'll lose.
All the best for the operation
After his operation, it was a few months before he got back on, it took a while to get back to fitness.
I say to you, go for it as long as you feel safe and able to up to the day of your operation, and then give yourself a few months recovery afterwards.
It'll give you something to look forward to and motivation to do those exercises and get eating to get back what you'll lose.
All the best for the operation
BobM said:
Unless you have problems with healing of your sternotomy (dividing the breastbone) you should be OK around the 8 week mark, depending on what you ride. I had similar surgery in 2015, I'm also a doctor. I wasn't riding my motorbike much back then but just checked my Strava app and my first ride on my pedal bike was 11 weeks post-op.
You'll find lots of daily activities will hurt like hell initially, but it gets better quite quickly. ISTR turning over in bed was one of the worst! In terms of the bike, the biggest challenge is likely to be getting it on and off a centre stand. I think if you ride a sports bike the actual riding might well hurt a bit, but if you've got something fairly relaxed you shouldn't really need to put much force through the bars.
Hope all goes well.
Absolutely this. I've had bypass surgery and although it "hurts like f**k" for the first few weeks as long as you follow the exercise guides and physio routines after around 6-8 weeks you'll be well on the road to recovery. I was back on the bike after around 10 weeks without any problems. I understand that the sternum takes around 6 months to get back to full strength so my worry was falling off and slowing the repair but thankfully that never happened.You'll find lots of daily activities will hurt like hell initially, but it gets better quite quickly. ISTR turning over in bed was one of the worst! In terms of the bike, the biggest challenge is likely to be getting it on and off a centre stand. I think if you ride a sports bike the actual riding might well hurt a bit, but if you've got something fairly relaxed you shouldn't really need to put much force through the bars.
Hope all goes well.
We're all different but you'll know when it feels right so I'd mentally allow 8 weeks which will fly passed.
All the best when it finally happens
I had a 7 hour op on my intestines, looked like a zip with 54 staples and a stoma bag, I left it about 4 months,A far as I can remember
I had lost a far bit of muscle, I found the bike helped me get better sooner as it was something to aim for and gave me some independence and helped with my mental health
Mine was a st1100, I was a bit worried at first as I was thinking even sneezing would split me open, it didn't, take it easy and enjoy it
I had lost a far bit of muscle, I found the bike helped me get better sooner as it was something to aim for and gave me some independence and helped with my mental health
Mine was a st1100, I was a bit worried at first as I was thinking even sneezing would split me open, it didn't, take it easy and enjoy it
I had my pre-op call with the nurse today. The only ‘physio’ I have to do after I get home is a walk a day, building up distance. Then after 8 weeks it’s physio through the hospital.
I think the worry is as said above. Falling off and setting recovery back.
But thank you all. Many great points and thoughts.
I think the worry is as said above. Falling off and setting recovery back.
But thank you all. Many great points and thoughts.
Well to tidy this up I had my surgery on Thursday. A few days of hell in ICU, but now recovering well in my own room on the general cardiac unit. All clinical staff have been truly excellent. From start to finish. I should be leaving tomorrow. Pain has been surprising low, however morphine levels have been high. They managed to repair the valve with no leaks and no other works. It’s currently an A1 situation.
PT1984 said:
Well to tidy this up I had my surgery on Thursday. A few days of hell in ICU, but now recovering well in my own room on the general cardiac unit. All clinical staff have been truly excellent. From start to finish. I should be leaving tomorrow. Pain has been surprising low, however morphine levels have been high. They managed to repair the valve with no leaks and no other works. It’s currently an A1 situation.
That’s good to hear, best of luck with the recovery 
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