Sciatic Problem

[swoghin]

After bilateral hip replacement last summer, I gradually worked back to where I was prior to surgery - - rowing 45 minutes daily. In recent weeks, one of my legs become numb after about 40 minutes of rowing and was told by my doctor it is a sciatic nerve issue (probably scar tissue rubbing on the nerve, no damage to the nerve itself). It was suggested I get a better padded seat. Anyone have this problem? How was it dealt with?

[Sasha]

A sciatic nerve problem drove me to yoga. Between yoga and a podiatrist who ordered me up some excellent orthotics, it is just a distant memory.

[swoghin]

That is an excellent suggestion. Yoga is something I had thought about trying, even without the current problem. Thank you.

[Steelhead]

That is an excellent suggestion. Yoga is something I had thought about trying, even without the current problem. Thank you.

Use three Concept2 pads when you row -- that will definitely help by raising you up a little.

[swoghin]

I had been using one. I will try this. Hopefully it will make a difference. Thanks for the suggestion.

[Steelhead]

I had been using one. I will try this. Hopefully it will make a difference. Thanks for the suggestion.

I typically use one pad, but based on your problem, I experimented today using three pads and it was definitely an improvement for my own sciatic nerve problem. Hope it works out well for you.

[swoghin]

I have placed my order and will keep you posted.

Thank you again.

[Joedoc]

Be careful with certain yoga positions and stretches after having hip replacement surgery. You may put yourself at risk of dislocating your hip replacement, check with your surgeon about acceptable positions for your hip prior to starting a yoga class.
Joseph Alhadeff, MD

[swoghin]

Dr. Alhadeff

Thank you for your thoughtful advice. It is greatly appreciated. In fact, I have a scheduled appointment with my surgeon in the near future and this is precisely one of the questions I intended to raise with him.

[tsomes]

I use the tractor style seat that C2 has available. It has extra padding and a bit of a back for lower back support. My physical therapists, who treated my sciatica a few years ago, suggested I always use the rowers that have that type of seat.

[swoghin]

That is a terrific idea. I just checked the website but could not find it listed among the accessories. Can you send me the link to the page where it is shown?

Thank you very much.

[tsomes]

I just used the C2 search engine and typed in "tractor seat". Try the following link: http://www.concept2.com/05/rower/service/cparts.asp

Scroll down the parts list to tractor seat, click on the part number to see a picture and information on ordering.

[swoghin]

The link worked. It is definitely worth a try. Thank you again.

[FrankJ]

swoghin,

When I was a kid my doctor gave me a penicillin shot in the butt and managed to hit my sciatic nerve. I couldn't walk for a day and a half. Since then my right leg has been sensitive to pressure in the wrong place. The seat on my model C was extremely painful until I came up with a pad cut out of a backpacking waffle sleep pad. Now I can even row marathons with only minimal discomfort.

Frank

[grams]

I use a gel-filled exercise cycle seat cover-the biggest one I could find. My left hip is not 100% whilst doing ordinary things around the house, but it doesn't bother me at all when I erg. I am presently doing 45 minute sessions (ahlf ofa World Cup match)

grams