I didn't play a Doctor on TV but I am one.So, I thought I would give a bit of perspective on spinal stenosis and motorcycles and spinal stenosis from a doctor who owns and rides a motorcycle.The thought that we hate motorcycles probably comes from comments in the press after interviewing a doctor shortly following their treatment of a motorcycle accident victim in which the press twists the physicians' comments.
Over my career I have had to evaluate about a dozen brain dead motorcycle accident victims for fitness of their organs to be used in transplants.It is a pretty horrendous sight to see a young person's skull crushed but worse is watching the harvesting of their organs. What's left is a skin, bone, and muscle carcass lying on a table much like a cow being butchered. Leaves a bad taste in your head.
Most Drs I know do not hate motorcycles and many own and ride them. I think the percentage of Drs that hate motorcycles is the same as in the general population.There are several causes of spinal stenosis>>See link below
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases...is a narrowing,stenosis may not have symptoms.
By far the most common cause is bulging disks, which I suspect is the OPs problem.Our bodies are quite like our motorcycles, with time, use, and abuse, parts wear and break down. Our body parts are no different.Spinal stenosis from bulging disks worsens with age, use and trauma (as in bouncing up and down) while walking, riding in a car, or on a motorcycle.
Spinal stenosis never improves on its own and barring surgery you can only slow it or treat the symptoms (pain, numbness, etc.)At some point it will get bad enough to cause permanent damage to your nerves resulting in pain all the time, weakness, numbness, and even paralysis. And for you younger fellas' impotence and loss of bowel and bladder control.
Surgery should be a last resort as often it doesn't work, sometimes makes matters worse, and may cause complications. There is no good answer to the question of when to have surgery.It is not a doctors job or place to tell someone they can or cannot ride. It is our job to (the best of our ability) evaluate your condition and explain to you the risks and benefits of your options relative to treatment and continuing to ride or not.Put a gun to my head and demand an answer to "can I keep riding" and I will say no. Not on principal but because of the legal liability.
A yes followed by worsening symptoms or disability almost assures a lawsuit. Thank our legal system for that.As to treatment get a good evaluation by a good doctor first, evaluate the options and then decide.Steroids and physical therapy were mentioned above. Depending on cause and location physical therapy or special exercises can make matters worse. Steroids are great for relieving symptoms, but their use is limited, and they can cause a range of other problems. Some say steroids can make a dead person feel better until the steroids kill them.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/cortisone-shots/about/pac-20384794
It's your body and your life, gather all the info you can, and you decide what to do. Lots of quacks and idiots out there giving bad advice. :GL1800::GL1800::GL1800: