Neck Braces for riding?

[IDspud]

In June I had a c5,6,7 anterior discectomy/fusion, I have been told by my doctor that I can ride if I find a good Leatt brace or the like, he will even write me a prescription if I can find a vendor willing to run it through insurance for me.

What are your experiences with neck braces and their vendors, I have never used this type of protection so any help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[aksnopro]

Leatte makes a really good brace! We have several brands we run on our fleet of kid mx racers and general consensus amon the kiddos is the leatte is the most comfortable and provides the most protection.

 

[stum1967]

I had a 5-6 fusion back in 08. I use an O-neal mx brace. It really limits side to side rocking an once you wear it a while, it does't bother me much. Most important thing is remembering what happens if you screw up and adjust your riding habits accordingly.

 

[ullose272]

i like my alpinestars brace. i dont wear it sledding tho. it just doesnt fit with a coat and tekvest

 

[wje_153]

Alpinestars carbon fiber bionic neck support

I have the Alpinestars CF BNS neck brace and I couldn't be more happy with it you can't tell its even there when your riding. Probably one of the best investments you can make when it comes to riding gear for sure. They are very durable also take a beating in the trees like no other as well. I wear the brace precautionary as I have not had a injury in past but it's saved my neck more then a few times for sure. It is a high end brace with a very reasonable price tag $400 but Alpinestars also builds the SB BNS which is not a carbon fiber brace but is a little cheaper for $290.

 

[IDspud]

Thanks Everyone,

I think the "remember the consequences and adjust your riding habits" is what I struggle with the most, I am still at a point where it requires "adjustment" just to get my head off the pillow. Anytime I move too fast or the wrong direction my head doesn't follow which is rather scary and painful....snowmobiling is actually more of a goal than a reality at this point, but the doc says that will change rapidly in the next couple of months. I am amazed at how well the surgery went, and how much pain was relieved, as well as function gained. I am now back at work with several restrictions, a couple of times I have exceeded my restrictions and payed dearly the following day with swelling and motion loss. I think I will end up riding much more conservatively this year than in the past.

Thanks again for your comments, keep them coming, I have always dealt with the "Suck it up" kind of injuries where you could ignore the pain and a little ice (or snow) could get you through, this neck thing is an entirely different beast, one of the most common side effects is loss of the function nerve in your right arm. Left hand throttles are not in my future.

 

[550iq]

Its wierd about the dose of humbleness injuries can create, and in such short order too. A nasty hernia created by trying strong man out a stuck sled by myself did the deed for me. IDspud, go try these neck braces on while in your down time and begin the process now. You have the time to get a system together. And for heaven's sake get yourself good and healed before you ride again. I am still paying for stupidity done 40 years ago. 550iq

 

[rbanan]

I`ve used leatt neck brace for couple seasons on the track racing, but was i little sloppy using it in the backcountry and of course I jumped big and got a whiplash injury tha day that i left it in the cabin. So now I´m using it every day even if it just a short trip. Dont even notice it now.

 

[stum1967]

the side effects of that nerve damage should get better in time. I lost all ability to lift my left arm, and it took about 1 year of recovery and therapy before I could pick it up over my head. Even with the brace I don't like rough trails and approaches. Now I have a medical reason for going to the mountains to ride in powder.