My Winter Modifications

I do not usually store my bikes for the winter but due to the devistation of my home and garage by Tropical Storm Irene. I put my 2011 Vision into storage.

While she is there she is getting the drivers back rest installed.

I took this oppritunity to have some needed work done on my spine. I was in a plane crash in 1986 and had compression fractures of L1 through 4.

These fractures healed over time but left fragments in my spine.

Prompting my orthipedic surgeon to advise me to never visit a chriopractor.

Well on 11/27/09 I was a passenger in my own Jeep Liberty we were struck by another vehicle causing L-5 vertibra to herniate.

This condition went undiagnoised and was being treated as a soft tissue injury after physical therapy was proving useless my DR asked for a MRI where the herniation was discovered.

I wanted to avoid surgery so was getting epidural injections and eating pain killers. This was of a major concern by my Dr who after 2 years of no recovery suggested I go under the knife.

I relented and sought out a very skilled surgeon Dr Howard Yeon. He explained that after viewing my MRI that under normal circumstances three small holes allow him to relieve most herniations using orthoscopic surgery.

But because of my previous fractures he wanted to beef up my old injury at the same time he attended to the herniation. He explained that two 3 inch parallel incesions would be made along side the right and left of my lower spine, cadovor bone, plastic and screws would be added to my lower vertibra .

On 12/19/2011 he preformed the surgery.

I was woken up on the 20th to find that the discomfort in my back was eased I was getting hot shooting pain down my left leg that was staggering at times.

Well now it feels as if a hand has a grip around my lower spine not pleasent but far better than the ice pick like sensations I was getting.
I was sent to a physical therapisrt who prescribed streches and walking.

I am now doing home therapy the streches and walking my new therapist is Ruby my 9 year old boxer.

She and I walk for an hour a day she is getting me ready for my ride to Daytona.

I think we are going to rename you "Crash"

You are doing the right thing in rehabing your back. Continue to be smart about it and you will come out ahead. I wish you the best and I think Don just may have tagged you with a new road name! Take care.

It sure is amazing what they can do nowadays. Hope this all works out for the better for you and that your recovery goes well.

Thanks there is already improvement I had not been able or willing to walk for an hour prior to surgery.

The real test will be when I take the 1000 mile + ride to Daytona in a few weeks.

TW,
Don't overdo it on the trip to Daytona. Would hate to hear you pushed too far and screwed up you back again. Enjoy the ride, and take a little time to enjoy the trip.
Rob

Good Luck with the rehab, and enjoy the ride down.

My wife's dog Lexi walked me through the rehab of a 22' rock climbing fall, also Lumbar spine (2,3, & 4), but I havent gotten up the guts for corrective surgery yet. In my defense I will admit that the sharp stabbing pain is a rarity and only hangs on for a day or two before going away for weeks.

Dogs truely are mans best friend

Nice post
hope to see down south

"I am now doing home therapy the streches and walking my new therapist is Ruby my 9 year old boxer."

You may never get a better therapist than Ruby, one of the things I miss the most these days is not having my dog anymore to take for a wake, after 11 years of walking her three time a day it's hard not to be doing it anymore
Regards

When I read the thread title I thought you meant Winter Modifications on your bike, not you! Seriously though, good luck with the healing and don't overdo it.

She did not get left out the Victory drivers back rest is being installed.

www.locomotionpowersports.com

Good luck with the healing. Does the victory back rest have fore and aft adjustability like the utopia? Andy did a video demonstrating the utopia. Could be helpful in your situation.

I have not expierenced either backrest in person but I have read that the Victory has three positions up and down and a pivot action on the top of the rest.
Then it is possiable to Primitive Pete the entire device by bending it.

I really wish I knew riders who have both devices to test befor purchase but it looks like people in my area that want to see one will be looking for me.

I went with the Victory rest because it looks better IMO on the bike the Utopia is very square plus if I really hate it I can return it to the dealer as opposed to mailing the Utopia back or selling it for a loss.

I will post my reactions to the rest after I have had a chance to try it.

Had a little setback in my recovery.

Valentines day delt me a slight increase in my discomfort.

Seems walking an hour a day was helping but I'm not ready for all activitys that life offers.

Will have to remember to restrict my movements.