Giving Up Rowing/Erging

[flan48]

Same message left on the UK forum:
Unfortunately I have been having a problem that started with some pain in the lower back (somewhat to the right of center), that began to radiate down the side and front of my right leg (all the way to the ankle).

Long story short, I have a small disc herniation at L4/L5. Since physical therapy did very little (there is one "stretch" which helps very much), I opted for an epidural injection of corticosteroids. This has done the trick thus far.

While the Doc did say that I may be able to get back to rowing/erging eventually, I decided that it is not worth the risk and sold the erg on Ebay.
I will now bike and walk for aerobic/cardiovascular exercise.

Thank you all for making this forum both educational and enjoyable.
Best regards

[RowtheRockies]

Barry,

Very Sorry to hear that. I also have a bad back but so far, not as bad as yours appears to be. Hope your back situation improves and you are able to do your other activities pain free. Take Care.

Rich

[Johannes]

Sorry to hear that flan48. Did you try to row on slides? I treally reduces the strain on the lower back.

Nice avator RowtheRockies. I was in Boulder in April and loved it!
Now back at the flatlands in Belgium.

Jan

[RowtheRockies]

Johannes,

Thanks! Reminded me I need to update it for the season.

Rich

[yoda]

Flan48,
Early December 2006 while hiking my left leg collapsed from under me. There was no warning, just boom I was down on my face. I made it home and tried stretching it out, but nothing could remove the numbing that was radiating down both legs. To make a long story short I ended up having the same shots that you did. They helped for about 2 weeks. Then the numbing came back to the point I could walk for more than about 100 feet before my legs would refuse to carry me any further. After several specialists and about 7 months of therapy it was decided that I was going to need an operation in order to clear up the problem. A freind told me about a new procedure where they install what is call X-Stops between the Vertibraes (spelling). You can find info on these on the internet. I had this procedure done about 6 weeks ago. I am now back to walking almost as well as before. The operation takes about 45 minutes and is done as an outpatient. Should your problem return I would suggest checking in to this.

The doc tells me I should be good to go in about 2 more weeks for rowing.

Good Luck,
Yoda

[rtmmtl]

Same message left on the UK forum:
Unfortunately I have been having a problem that started with some pain in the lower back (somewhat to the right of center), that began to radiate down the side and front of my right leg (all the way to the ankle).

Long story short, I have a small disc herniation at L4/L5. Since physical therapy did very little (there is one "stretch" which helps very much), I opted for an epidural injection of corticosteroids. This has done the trick thus far.

While the Doc did say that I may be able to get back to rowing/erging eventually, I decided that it is not worth the risk and sold the erg on Ebay.
I will now bike and walk for aerobic/cardiovascular exercise.

Thank you all for making this forum both educational and enjoyable.
Best regards

Possibly sciatica? I have had it three times....pure agony....nothing worked except:

"Epidural steroid injections. In some cases, your doctor may inject a corticosteroid medication into the affected area. Corticosteroids mimic the effects of the hormones cortisone and hydrocortisone, which are made by the outer layer (cortex) of your adrenal glands. When prescribed in doses that exceed your natural levels, corticosteroids suppress inflammation, thereby relieving pressure and pain.

Their usefulness in treating sciatica is a matter of debate, however, and they seem most effective when used in conjunction with a rehabilitation program. In addition, corticosteroids can cause serious side effects, so the number of injections you can receive is limited — usually no more than three in one year."

http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/sciati ... DSECTION=8

First time I was about 65 and second time 2-3 years later. Again 2-3 years later, while waiting for the doctors to finish playing their games it just went away on its own.

Good new if it turns out to be sciatica; the cure for me was literally instanious both times!

Good luck.

[dmoore316]

Barry,

Sorry about your injury. While it is not a replacement for the erg, as it works the muscles differently and doesn't have the community, etc., you might consider a Nordic Track ski machine. It is much less hard on the lower back (it still may be too much for a while), but it is the full body workout you are used to on the erg/rowing. I've used one for years, and it is a much better workout than stationary cycling. Besides working in the upper body, it requires a bit of balance as the skis are not locked in. So while it doesn't reproduce the full effect of actually cross country skiing, it is closer to the real thing than a stationary bike is to actual cycling. You can even get weighted handles to better replicate using real poles. While the company got bought out for the name and now only produces one model that is almost an afterthought in terms of attention the company give it compared to its other products, it is easy to find those or some of the older better models on e-bay for a song.

Good luck!
Dave