Yes it is very hard. I bought myself a new bike after the replacement and it is painful to ride without a brace on it. I find I can still sit on the floor cross legged but there is no more kneeling in the gardens, People laugh cause I sit on my butt and shimmy my way through the lawn and gardens weeding. Its all good.. Maybe it will help to flatten my arse a bit.. hahaha To every dark cloud there is a silver lining right?