I have cervical spondalosis and lumber spondalosis (osteo arthritis and degeneration of the spine) Im 42, Ive had it since I was 30 due to meningitius and a cycle accident when white van man ran me off the road and broke my ribs.
Since the age of 37 it has increased in severity, and i now live on morphine, valium, anti inflams, anti spasmodics etc and a osteopath and accupuncture. I have been told if i stop cycling I could become immobile and end up unable to walk.
This is because cycling is weight bearing, and keeps the muscles working and reduces the stress hormones and calcium deposits that build up to increase the damage in the joints.
However - I do need to adapt my bike and also have a tourer built for me, as I get numb fingers, numb toes, leg spasms and problems with posture when cycling. Ive found riser bars help and padded bike seats, suspension seat posts and taking a up right position and taking it slow up hills (getting off if the pain gets sharp - stretching by the road side and pushing the bike until it goes off).
Im looking into getting an adapted crank set for the peddles made by longstaffs in Newcastle under lyme - its for anyone with knee rotation problems or hip problems - very niffty bit of kit.
I cycle everywhere as i dont drive and have no access to lifts off folks, so the bikes do the shopping, fetch coal and sticks for the burner, carry books, take crap to the tip, carry files and paperwork and take me to visit housebound friends and friends in carehomes, takes me to gigs and takes me to the pub and to fetch stuff from the garden centre...minus the bike id be house bound and in ten years unable to walk.
I have found that spondalosis affects night vision - as it affects the nerves to the eyes due to decreased blood flow to the brain up the spinal column, so i get blinded if car head lights hit me in dark places as the optical reaction time is slowed. The same goes for over all cognative reaction times at junctions, and hand movements (switching gears, clutching brakes)...so I cycle with caution, dismount of get onto the path at busy junctions, and take care descending steep hills incase my grip goes when braking. Im looking into disc brakes as I am told they are better if your grip is reduced.
I tried a recumberant, but because i also have degeneration in the hips, sacrum joint, pelvis and knees I found it very painful sitting and cycling with one, I got stuck and ceased up. Find Im better on adapted MTBs with wider tires and suspension or as I say - adapted tourers.
A trike would be a good idea - but it would reduce my access to cycleways as I live along a canal in rural south cheshire.
My back crunches all the time - as do my knees and fingers, they all so puff up when cold or if i brake alot or carry things.
Spondalosis also affects blood flow and circulation to the hands, feet, legs and brain and can affect the heart muscles and lung capacity making them work harder to pump oxygen and blood around the body - so its not unusual to get puffed out easier, get a dip in bp, go dizzy, or get cramps when cycling. My rule, go at your own pace, don't race, get off and rest if you need to, suck a boiled sweet (helps) check your bp (keep a small monitor with you). Keep feet and hands warm and carry a med alert incase you need assistance.
But don't give up the bike if you can - it'll keep you out of a wheelchair. and get yourself a really good osteopath and chiropractor who does arthritis care and sports treatment. I go to one in manchester who is fantastic.
