If you have any questions for Dr Kim Hurst, the new SheCycles resident Doctor, then post your query here for professional advice and help. If it's a personal matter then feel free to e-mail editor@shecycles.com

Hi, Dr Hurst, I fractured my T3,4,5 in an ccident about 7 months ago, I have started to do CV work at the gym, and would like to get cycling soon. The thing is the old burst area sticks out slightly and when I press on it, it is very painful. I am on opiods for pain reflief as my work is very physical, the one thing I am concerned about is whether a spinal protector is appropriate if I fall or are they a waste of time, I asked the doctors and physio's and I couldn't get a straight answer. I will be aiming to do the average x country cycling...Thanks

Dr Hurst, I am curious to know what you think of products designed to improve breathing by providing a work out for inspiratory muscles. Apparently you breath through a device with provides resistance and this strengthens the appropriate muscles, to provide a workout for your lungs, which will 'maximise sports performance, improve fitness and reduced breathlessness' all of which I could use! They retail from £36 and sound a bit like a gimmick to me, but I am willing to try anything ..... let me know if you think this would be any good.

Thanks
Jan

Gayle & Jan,

Thanks for your interest in the Clinic! I am working on answers to your questions and they will be posted within the next fortnight!

Kim

Dr Hurst,

What are your views on arthritis and cycling?

I have recently been diagnosed with Grade 4 arthritis of my patella. I have had an arthroscopy & lateral release which I am recovering from.

I used to be a keen cyclist, and loved getting out in my MTB and road bike plus competing in triathlons. But now I am worried that cycling will make the arthritis worse and give me extra problems in the future (I am only 26).

Do you have any views on whether cycling is likely to aggravate the arthritis or if it will be OK to carry on? My surgeon said that in theory cycling is non-load bearing and hence OK but I'm fairly sure that when I climb hills or race there is a fair amount of load! :)

I can cope with knees being a bit sore after rides but I really don't want to cause myself any further long term damage.

Any advice would be much appreciated!
Lisa

Lisa,

Will be writing a reply to your question over my night shifts this week! Will have plenty of helpful advice... and you certainly don't need to stop cycling :-D

Hi Dr Hurst,

I have a spondylolisthesis. About a year ago, I had an MRI scan to check out chronic lower back pain following a few bad falls off the bike that summer. They picked up the Spondy, and said i'd likely always had it but it was only now causing trouble. They recommended PIlates as a way of stabilising the area, which I have been doing once a week. However, although my core stability seems to be improving, the pain isn't. I have been recommended to not ride, as there is a certain amount of sciatic nerve 'tickling' going on which causes tingling in my legs. As a result of the lack of exercise, I am becoming increasingly unfit and with much weaker muscles. I seem to be in a bit of a vicious circle, unsure of what I should and shouldn't do, and terrified that if I go for the operation, it'll mean the end of my cycling once and for all.

ANY advice gratefully received!! :o(

Dear Dr Hurst,

I've just come back from doing a mtb race at Thetford yesterday. I kind of over did it big style in sprinting for the finish with another lady as I was fighting for the last point for the overall championships and just knew I had to beat her to secure my 3rd place so gave it my all... needless to say I registered a max heartrate of 208 and literally fell off the bike at the end seeing flashing white round lights, like disco lights (whether my eyes were shut or open they were there for several minutes). What I'd like to know is is this damaging to my health, short or long term as I'm quite worried now that I shouldn't have pushed myself quite so hard, (or in short bursts, and very occassionally no harm can be done???) I always figured your body would just kick in and stop itself before you could phyically harm your heart your body. My husband thought it might have been a blip or a false reading, but we downloaded my HR chart last night and my HR was already at 187 before I started sprinting so it appears to be genuine reading and increasing to the end.

I feel fine today (if a little tired) but I would appreciate your thoughts on this. I'm 33 and I've been cycling regularly for 4 years.

Many thanks Claire

Everyone,

Again thanks for your questions! Unfortunately, I've had tonsillitis recently so I'm about 1 week behind with everything. Also moving to Scotland on 8th Feb! Needless to say I'm working on replies to all your questions! Please bear with me while everything is getting sorted!!!

Hi Kim,

didn't think doctors were 'allowed' to get ill :o)

Get well soon.

Hi Dr Kim
Just out of interest, my sister is 12 weeks pregnant and has been told to stop cycling. I sugested that light road riding would be ok , possibly gentle fire-road riding. What do you think? How far into the pregnancy can she keep riding?
Thanks
lesley

Dr Kim - I've got a haematoma on my leg from falling off and catching leg on the saddle. It's kinda painful when it gets pressure put on. My doc says not to be surprised if it's still there in a few months... is there anything I can do to make the swelling go away more quickly?

Ta very much!
And get well soon!

Lisa, Masky and Lesley... answers to your questions have been sent to the Ed and will appear here soon.

Jan & Bellabob... yours will be available very soon.

Gayle & Kitten Burglar... I will have yours available after I've moved to Scotland (next week) - they're a bit more complicated and I want to make sure I can give you the latest info!

Sorry to all for the delay... life is a bit manic at the moment!

The answers are written as a short article, to provide up-to-date info and a decent explanation. All come with Top Tips so if you want to know what to do without reading much then you can go to that. Hopefully this will mean answers are useful for the person who asked the question and for anyone else who is interested in the same issue. Your opinions would be much appreciated!

Kim

Hi Kim,

thanks for that. Latest update is had another MRI scan and the recommendation is to have a spinal fusion and decompression op, prob first half of this year.

I'm reckoning on a good few months before I'll be back in the saddle, but would be very grateful for any recommendations or suggestions you may have to get me back up to speed a.s.a.p post op?

I realise bike set up and position is going to be crucial, and that I'll need to be patient.

Happy moving!

Kitten Burglar,

No problem. Will get onto it.

Re moving - thanks! It's going to be a long drive from Guildford to Inverness ;-)

Hi Kim,

What advice would you give to a competitive cyclist who is getting over glandular fever. How long before they can start training again etc etc.....

Elaina

A bit of a drastic move Kim - good luck in Inverness.
lesley

Lesley,

No choice - RAF have posted me there! Although I'm not going to complain about the riding... just need to dig out those snow tyres... ;-)

Will be back down south for some w/e's so will hopefully get out on some of your rides!

Let us know if you get to see Nessie - lol.
Inverness is lovely as is Edinburgh and Aberdeen - or they were 15 years ago when i was up there :)

Elaina,

Thanks! I will get an answer to your posting sorted in the next fortnight.