Steve's Mountain Bike Page
Turlock, California

New Melones, CA
Oct. 2, 2010

In July I had a Spinal Cord Stimulator (SCS), a battery, implanted under the skin. The battery provides an electrical current to electrodes on both sides of  the spine, and this disrupts pain signals to the brain. For my everyday activities it blocks out virtually 100% of my knee pain. I was cleared to ride two weeks ago, and I rode at New Melones. But that ride turned out to be one of my worst in years, and after it I pretty much decided to quit mountain biking. After two months of no pain perhaps I've become soft. The knee pain was nearly intolerable, one hand was still seriously bruised and the thumb on the other hand was still sprained, both from breaking a fall on a Tahoe ride in mid July. By the end of the ride I could barley hold on to the handlebars. I was also terrified of falling, which could pull out the electrodes, or worse. Psychologically I don't think I was ready to ride yet.

After two weeks of prescription anti-inflammatory medication the hands seemed well enough to try riding again today. Just to be sure I also took a narcotic pain reliever. The combination of drugs and the SCS let me ride virtually pain free for the first time in many years, and I had one of my best rides in a long time. I gave up riding the Tower Climb trail, 1.4 miles of up-hill single-track with several switchbacks, about six years ago because it hurt the knees way too much. Today I felt really strong and I did it virtually pain free. Despite taking the single-track up the Tower Climb, taking it slow and cautious, doing a bit more mileage than usual, and stopping several times to practice using my GPS, I had my fastest average speed this year. The hands were tolerable for most of the ride but they still need more healing time. However, this is the first time in many years I am not posting after a ride while in serious pain! I guess I won't quit biking just yet after all.