What you are referring to is compression fractures of the anterior bodies of the thoracic vertebrae that are commonly seen in women (and a much smaller % of men) with osteoporosis which increases the thoracic kyphosis. Can’t imagine anyone racing TDF if this is so, let alone winning it.
"Thanks for the lesson in medicine, I obviously have no idea what I am talking about. "
My apology. I don’t know you from Adam and didn’t realize that you’re one of those guys who reads the x-rays I order from the local hospital! Actually I have a great working relationship with the guys. Years ago I used to take my own x-rays but now much prefer doing it this way.
"The Tspine is relatively inflexible compared to the Lumbar and Cervical portions of the spine "
Now it’s my turn. Thanks for the lesson in spinal mechanics!! I’m a chiropractor and deal with this daily.
Well, I don’t know a phylangie (sp?) from a carbuncle, but if that (the apparent hump), were Lance’s problem seems like we would have seen it (and heard it widely commented on) before now, don’t you think? My purely-uneducated guess would be that it’s something they’re working on for aerodynamics. One of Graham’s pictures seems to indicate something similar on George Hincape. My 8.5 cents worth.
Just wondering is it anything to do with the ear piece he is wearing ?
Not sure what it is but it may need some sort of receiver - altho’ as he is climbing I would have thought he would want as little weight as possible.
Hey All,
Re: lance’s back problem…he has a spondylolisthesis (sp?!) around L4 or L5 or something, according to an interview I read with carmichael. I am not sure what grade the lesion is. They were trying to fix this with yoga and stretching. Not sure I see the point of this. Most authors suggest there is spontaneous bony healing in 15 percent of pts, which can be raised to 25-30% with bracing and cessation of activity for a few months. An orthopod at Univ of Chi just claimed a 50% healing rate at a sports med conference there last friday…however, his management and data are not yet published. Obviously, none of the above are real options for lance’s tour prep.
Anyway, my point was that whatever his back issue is, I don’t think it has anything to do with his t-spine.
Philbert
med student who cannot wait to graduate
I think thats a Camelback. Looks about the right size. He’s just breathing which gives him that distened stomach with that tight skin suit.
Look at the striations in his leg–you don’t see those unless his bodyfat is under 8%.
I went over to John Cobb’s Forum, and posted a question about the apparent hump on Lance’s back, ans also asked why Lance didn’t wear shoe covers in that race. John replied (albeit somewhat obscurely) as follows:
“That’s the same hump he’s had since '91. I was at Murcia last year and it is very hot there and the course is not very long but has lots of turns. Lance didn’t need shoe covers for that situation.”
The obscure (at least to me) part was about the hump, not the shoe covers…even I could figure that one out.
He has a hump in his back, always has… check out the photos from the TTT in 2001… it’s pretty obvious in some of them.
Could it be a Camel back filled with a 7-11 Slurpee?