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Good Evening to all,

I have recently been diagnosed with a herniated disc between L4 and L5. Needless to say, schlepping around a PT-20 has been impossible. The last Christmas gig I had was saved by my son being my tuba toter. For those of you that have had a similar issue, how did you deal with transporting and/or actually playing?
Thanks!

Lots of chiropractor visits! L-4, L-5, S-1 all are trashed, along with other less maddening sites, but you deal with them. I use Mobic as an anti-inflammatory, but no pain pills other than aspirin. I play a light old Eb and a Mirafone 186, which is around 15-17 lbs and always carry it back-pack style instead of one-handed. A lighter horn is definitely better for you than a heavy one. Common sense.

I know some local players who bungie tuba cases/bags to appliance dollies.

Don't carry your horn on your back, but use the handles to carry it like luggage.

Is there a surgical option?

tubajon wrote:Is there a surgical option?

Yes, but back surgery is not like other surgeries. Whether done by a Neurosurgeon or by an Orthopedic, some back surgeries work and others require even more surgery. I would try ALL options before going under the knife...
Mark

A friend of mine uses a golf bag cart with his horn/bag bungee corded to it. It works well and saves your back.

Same issue with shoulders. Joint issues and bursitis. Ice helps. But getting to the gig, a hand cart seems the best. With bad shoulders the 'back pack' routine is impossible for me. I like the cart that Bloke posted, price is great at it is rated to hold 80 pounds.
'Wheels' I believe is the way to go. Cases with wheels usually have wheels that are too small and balk at curbs and no way on stairs. Somewhere I did see a 3 wheel per side hand cart that can manage to all but walk up stairs when pulled. That is on my short list. But it is one more thing to schlepp and one more obstacle to getting packed up and out for that after the gig beer. I love watching string bassists with their 'uni-wheel' or what ever it is called. Maybe Tuba Tinker will chime in about his sarcophagus on wheels. I watched him unload and load it from the back of his van, wheeling into the venue with little effort, and of course "freight case" protection. Dan always seems to have incredibly well thought out ways of doing things. But that does presume one has a van or "pickem up truck."

Physical therapists, massage therapists, etc, are your friends and allies. Gentle exercise, good posture, and careful selection of chairs, beds and automobiles all help the process.

I was tuba-less at the time, but I was ok sitting so only carrying it would have been tough.

cktuba wrote: I've lost a little over an inch of height since high school.

I've more than compensated in girth...

bisontuba wrote:Don't carry your horn on your back, but use the handles to carry it like luggage.

I suppose it all depends upon where your injury is located, but carrying a tuba like luggage is the WORST way for me. This shifts the weight to one side instead of balanced on the back and that is torture. You have to see what works for you in your circumstances.

I had a cortisone shot on 12.31.15 and go to the ortho on Thursday.
Will follow whatever recommendations he gives. I have to be able to wear my ballistic vest and gunbelt before I can go back to my day job and ask him about schlepping the horn around.
Thanks for the comments and suggestions. I hope to see some of you at the Army Tuba Conference.