Cycling UK Forum

Hi fellow cyclists. I won't bore you with details of how I got to this point but it's looking like I may need an operation called a urethroplasty. In the operation access to the urethra is gained through the perineum, which is just what you sit on (I think) when riding a bike. Obviously, there will need to be a healing period but what about afterwards? Can I return to normal? (I do touring, mountain biking and general utilitarian stuff.) Does anyone out there (male - not sure it's the same with females) have experience of the op and subsequent cycling activity, please? If it's relevant, I'm edging towards 67 yo.

Hi Ken

1 There are several different ways of doing the surgery. When reading about this or comparing experiences you need to check which you're going to have to be sure that it's relevant to you.

2 Have you already got a patient information leaflet or access to the surgeon or physiotherapist so that you can ask them directly? I'd discuss cycling as soon as possible. The best way might be email.

3 It's smart to write down questions before appointments so that you don't forget anything.

4 You might get an estimate in advance of how long you should avoid cycling but they might want to watch your postoperative progress before saying anything.

5 It's likely that you'll want to avoid cycling for longer than you want to avoid exercise. I suggest thinking about alternatives, possibly walking or swimming, and again talk to your surgeon or physiotherapist about that.

Hope it all goes well.

Jonathan

Good Luck with the surgery, Ken.
I've no direct experience of similar circ.s myself, but do recall reading about the existence of the so-called Dutch saddle, which is claimed to be very comfortable to use and avoids direct contact with most of the tender under-side aka the perineum. see here for an example - others will more relevant experience will be along soon.

All good points (jdsk) and I will have chance to discuss this with the surgeon - top of my list.
As for the Dutch saddle - also very useful to know. I'll check it out after I've had the discussion with the surgeon (next Friday).

Good luck, Ken.

Actually, the perineum is what you shouldn't sit on when cycling - your weight should be borne on the bony parts of your pelvis that stick down to either side (ischial protuberances). Putting weight on the soft bits of your perineum can cause all kind of nasties.

Thanks Audax. I suppose you're right, the bony bits do take much of teh weight. I'll check with the surgeon for his view. Never know, he may actually be a cyclist!

I've been holding fire on replying in case someone who's had the operation replies. However, as nothing so far, I'll chip in my experiences of saddles which might offer solutions, although I haven't had that surgery so don't know how that will affect you.

1. A noseless saddle like an 'ISM touring' will completely prevent any problem because you won't physically be able to put weight on anything other than your sit-bones. I will always recommend this saddle to anyone in a position like yourself, although it is absolutely guaranteed to generate categorical prophesies of doom from people who openly admit never having tried one. The last time I recommended this to someone who'd had prostate surgery, the prophesy of doom from the person who'd never used one was that it would cut off the blood supply to his buttocks, causing crippling pain. Thankfully, this guy bought one and was subsequently able to confirm this prophesy was false. It has been my main saddle for over 10 years of daily use including >100 mile/day touring, and it's the perfect saddle for comfort.

2. You mention mountain biking. I'm not able to use my ISM touring for that as it's too wide, so gets in the way of my thighs when I'm trying to allow the bike to move under me with the saddle dropped when going off drops etc. The solution I've eventually found is an 'ISM PN1.1.' This is one of a range of ISM saddles which (1) are narrow and (2) have a normal-length nose which is split in two all the way to the end. This means, on steep climbs, you can get your bodyweight all the way to the front of the saddle, but you're being supported on either side by the bones/tendons/muscles at the top of your inner thighs - not your perineum or other squashy bits. Again, this works perfectly for me and I feel absolutely zero discomfort after long sessions, but I have no idea how it would work out after your surgery.

Thanks DevonDemo - this is most encouraging. I'm not yet committed to the surgery but am inclined to go with it, especially now that it doesn't preclude continuation of my cycling activity.

Ken,

After multiple cystoscopies and recurring strictures, I had a patch urethroplasty using buccal mucosa at least a decade and a half ago. I wasn't more than an occasional cyclist at the time, but I've since cycled about 40,000 miles on multiple saddles, and the issue has not returned. I'm about fifty years old.

Good luck!

That is very good news, thanks. I saaw the consultant and he's recommended trying another type of urethrotomy before going for the urethroplasty (which sounds identical to your procedure - incidentally - did it work OK?) He also recommended I use a Dutch saddle if I have the urethroplasty. Ken

Everything is working great these days. For a few years after, I did seem to get frequent UTIs (once a year or so) that required antibiotics, but I haven't had one in a while now.

At the time, I was a regular motorcyclist, and I did take a couple of months off the motorcycle to let things heal fully. I'd probably take at least a few months off cycling if I did it again.

Now that I'm a cyclist, I do generally use saddles with cutouts or relief channels, but not always.