Back Pain / Surgery and Kilts??

**Tony Miles** · 29th August 09, 09:58 PM

Man did I ever mess up my back - the pain down my leg is so bad and I can't seem to find a way to wear a kilt with the sporran and belt that doesn't make the pain worse.

The doc is saying he'll have to cut out a facet and fuse the back which is a pretty freaky idea in itself but I'm wondering if anyone else has had back issues that have hindered kilt wearing and what your stories are???

**Bruno** · 30th August 09, 02:55 AM

Not sure of location or exact problem but have you considered a weight lifting belt for support? Can help if lower back. Can actually look good with a kilt seen several do that at highland games with injured backs at events.

A very broad belt about 6 inches would possibly help. if it supports area.

If localised pain is exacerbated by belts, try a fabric belt and kilt hanger rather than chain.

**Tony Miles** · 30th August 09, 05:48 AM

Unfortunately its' bone growth on a facet (arthritis) and they have to remove it to "fix" it - unless i can find some other magic that might work. I might have fractured it way back when which caused the issue over many years - I wish it was just muscular, at least then some rehab would fix it.

I tried a sporran hanger on my kilt belt unfortunately that didn't work either. It's definitely a conundrum of sorts

**ziggy** · 30th August 09, 06:11 AM

I am nervous of such issues as well, for different reasons but nonetheless. Personally i am wondering about the sheer weight of the kilt, I don't know if this would be having an effect in your case too.

**Tony Miles** · 30th August 09, 06:24 AM

Well if I wear kilts with no sporran or belt it's fine for now - but then they slip down and since I have no assitol so they'll fall off pretty quick without a belt.

I'm a bit nervous about thing post operation also - the belt actually lays right across the messed up vertebrae.

This getting old thing ain't for wimps

**Bruno** · 30th August 09, 06:49 AM

Originally Posted by Tony Miles

Well if I wear kilts with no sporran or belt it's fine for now - but then they slip down and since I have no assitol so they'll fall off pretty quick without a belt.

I'm a bit nervous about thing post operation also - the belt actually lays right across the messed up vertebrae.

This getting old thing ain't for wimps :wimp:

An old friend of mine said that traditionally some Kilts used to have bracers These were strips of cloth fitted to belt level of kilt by buttons that went over the shoulders and crossed at the back to support the kilt very popular with Ghillies etc in the old days. They allowed the kilt to stay put while working a long day in the field. This would shift some weight to the shoulders and avoid the back pressure. Think of old Victorian military cross webbing belts.

**Tony Miles** · 30th August 09, 07:05 AM

Originally Posted by Bruno

An old friend of mine said that traditionally some Kilts used to have bracers

Suspenders?? That might actually work - I could wear a waist coat or vest over them and they wouldn't even be noticed - any ideas on dealing with a sporran?? but then again at least a sporran belt is easy to keep repositioning all day long since it's looser

I'm going to look into that and see if it might work -

**Bruno** · 30th August 09, 07:27 AM

Originally Posted by Tony Miles

Suspenders?? That might actually work - I could wear a waist coat or vest over them and they wouldn't even be noticed - any ideas on dealing with a sporran?? but then again at least a sporran belt is easy to keep repositioning all day long since it's looser

I'm going to look into that and see if it might work -

Attach some kind of sporan hanger to "suspenders" or attach a leather belt strap to the buttons on the kilt. Or possibly waist coat via a few straps and buttons !

**fluter** · 30th August 09, 03:51 PM

Originally Posted by Tony Miles

Suspenders?? That might actually work - I could wear a waist coat or vest over them and they wouldn't even be noticed - any ideas on dealing with a sporran?? but then again at least a sporran belt is easy to keep repositioning all day long since it's looser

Try a waistcoat with lots of pockets, perhaps you can do without the sporran!

**BEEDEE** · 30th August 09, 06:49 AM

Years ago when I had a back problem I was told by the ortho Dr I had two choices. Do nothing and he would operate in six months, or start a program of walking seriously. Took his advice and started walking and within one year had entered two 5K races and never had the surgery. That was about 1987!

You might want to have a second opinion.

Brian