Spinal fusion?

**Kelem** · 26th April 2009, 16:08

Originally Posted by Phurrball

If you're bored in hospital, try and get Barnsey to crack a smile - he stuck us as very serious (We think there's a sense of humour in there somewhere...A very dry one...)

I noticed the same thing - Phew! it wasn't just me.
I will say Hi to him for ya.
I see your local i'm in woodlands park, i walk my dogs (Huskies & baby shepard when im able) around Hiua road and back along scenic - shout out if you see me. I'm the one with the limp

Craig

**alanzs** · 26th April 2009, 16:38

I had a C4/5 spinal fusion last July. Like said before the graft site was more painful than the neck incision. Also had a discectomy at the same location you mention, just not the fusion, in '06. Took about two months to get back on the bike.
I'd highly, highly recommend doing some type of core strengthening exrcises amd by all means, get heaps of good phyiso after. Pilates, yoga, whatever.

I am glad I had both procedures. I am pain free my friend, imagine that!

Good luck and keep us posted...

**Kelem** · 26th April 2009, 17:24

Thanks, you have all helped ease my mind.
Craig

**SixPackBack** · 26th April 2009, 17:27

Originally Posted by alanzs

I had a C4/5 spinal fusion last July. Like said before the graft site was more painful than the neck incision. Also had a discectomy at the same location you mention, just not the fusion, in '06. Took about two months to get back on the bike.
I'd highly, highly recommend doing some type of core strengthening exrcises amd by all means, get heaps of good phyiso after. Pilates, yoga, whatever.

I am glad I had both procedures. I am pain free my friend, imagine that!

Good luck and keep us posted...

I also had a C4/5 fusion and would take your post one step further,without regular excercise I cannot ride!

Suffering saspmodic residual pain and migraines; I keep both under control with a low alcohol intake [seems to affect me badly], plenty of exercise, regular visits to a magic chiropractor and probably most importantly, a positive attitude.

The surgery was not that bad and the difference was magic, you'll be back on the bike before you know it.

**LilSel** · 30th September 2010, 02:04

Don't mean to thread dredge here but found via search.
Am waiting to have spinal fusion at the moment n was worried it might mean I can't ride anymore. Glad to have read all the feedback & others experiences!!

Cant wait to get back on two wheels again!

Not sure what numbers they are but is lumbar, have two herniated discs. One putting quite a bit of pressure on spinal cord n what not. Been taking morphine for pain relief n a shit load of other things to help with mobility/nerve pain etc. Pills to help reduce side effects of another pill that was given to stop the side effects of a diff pill lol! Crazy! Should be going in for op in the next week or two. Gonna have alot of spare time, thank goodness for the net!!

Piccy of my mri here, what numbers are these if anyone knows??

**Mom** · 30th September 2010, 06:31

Originally Posted by LilSel

Don't mean to thread dredge here but found via search.
Am waiting to have spinal fusion at the moment n was worried it might mean I can't ride anymore. Glad to have read all the feedback & others experiences!!

Cant wait to get back on two wheels again!

Not sure what numbers they are but is lumbar, have two herniated discs. One putting quite a bit of pressure on spinal cord n what not. Been taking morphine for pain relief n a shit load of other things to help with mobility/nerve pain etc. Pills to help reduce side effects of another pill that was given to stop the side effects of a diff pill lol! Crazy! Should be going in for op in the next week or two. Gonna have alot of spare time, thank goodness for the net!!

Piccy of my mri here, what numbers are these if anyone knows??

Hey there, we were talking about you just this weekend, and wondering where you were. Bummer about the back, that picture is pretty scarey. Good luck with your surgery, keep us posted.

**LilSel** · 30th September 2010, 12:44

Originally Posted by Mom

Hey there, we were talking about you just this weekend, and wondering where you were. Bummer about the back, that picture is pretty scarey. Good luck with your surgery, keep us posted.

Hope it was good stuff lol

Yeah have been kinda laying low I guess, been having pain since Feb in back (hurt riding FB's bike) n the last straw was a slip down the back stairs beginning of August. Been in court a few times since end of June, adjourned on Tues till just before xmas, so I can get fixed up first n off such high levels of Morphine etc. Not such a fabulous year one could say!!

Just got surgery date today - 14th October, couple weeks away! Glad to know when it is now. Will be back around soon due to all the free time I'll have lol.

Hope you are all well

xx

**Mom** · 30th September 2010, 13:00

Originally Posted by LilSel

Hope it was good stuff lol

Yeah have been kinda laying low I guess, been having pain since Feb in back (hurt riding FB's bike) n the last straw was a slip down the back stairs beginning of August. Been in court a few times since end of June, adjourned on Tues till just before xmas, so I can get fixed up first n off such high levels of Morphine etc. Not such a fabulous year one could say!!

Just got surgery date today - 14th October, couple weeks away! Glad to know when it is now. Will be back around soon due to all the free time I'll have lol.

Hope you are all well

xx

Of course good stuf

I hope all goes well with that surgery too, you will be back on your feet in no time.

**crazyhorse** · 30th September 2010, 13:11

I had a disc replaced in the L5/L6 region. Depending on kind of bike you ride, you should be able to ride it after the recouperation time.

I actually find putting on my socks and shoes the hardest task of all. No discomfort on the back at all.

All the best for the operation

**Edbear** · 30th September 2010, 13:15

Originally Posted by LilSel

Hope it was good stuff lol

Yeah have been kinda laying low I guess, been having pain since Feb in back (hurt riding FB's bike) n the last straw was a slip down the back stairs beginning of August. Been in court a few times since end of June, adjourned on Tues till just before xmas, so I can get fixed up first n off such high levels of Morphine etc. Not such a fabulous year one could say!!

Just got surgery date today - 14th October, couple weeks away! Glad to know when it is now. Will be back around soon due to all the free time I'll have lol.

Hope you are all well

xx

You could check my thread, 'Edbear in hospital' if you like. I had surgery two weeks ago and I'm hoping to get the before and after scans. I shattered my L1 in a car accident on 12th May and after taking the brace off on 18th Aug due to the x-ray looking good, the spine collapsed, crushing the vertbrae and twisting 32 degrees out of alignment. So had to have the op. I had two options and the first was very scary so chose the second which only opens up the back. So my spine was rebuilt and realigned and fused. NOt sure how much titanium I've got in me now so keen to see the results on scans.

The bone graft site, (which you may not require), I can hardly feel despite some saying the graft site pain is worse, it's not in my case. I am in considerable pain but as long as I continue the take the cocktail of Panadol, Tramadol and Morphine, I can cope well. Quite stiff at mo, too.

The surgeon was Angus Don, one of the best, I'm told and he did a good job. He and his team were pleased with the results and reckon I'll recover well. My situation was complicated a bit by having Osteoprosis from Cushings disease so my bones are very weak. As regards riding again, normally not an issue but unless I can strengthen my bones with the meds and supplements I'll have to think carefully as it could mean fracturing is more likely in my case.

You scan appears to be the L4/5 area, the most commonly damaged after the L1. I tore the ligaments around my L4/5 vertebrae back in '82 on jackhammers. I know all about back pain!

**onearmedbandit** · 30th September 2010, 15:09

I've got fusion in my upper vertebra from my spinal injury. It stops me from comfortably tucking right in, but otherwise no problem whatsoever.

**LilSel** · 30th September 2010, 15:31

Originally Posted by Edbear

You could check my thread, 'Edbear in hospital' if you like. I had surgery two weeks ago and I'm hoping to get the before and after scans.

You scan appears to be the L4/5 area, the most commonly damaged after the L1. !

I will have a search n read thru for sure!! Also pretty keen on having the after ones too

Titanium must be ok in the MRI machines?! I had to take every single piercing out for my MRI (was such a hassle, there is a fair few of em lol).
A mate of mine has had fusion done n they went in thru her tummy to do it, I asked already about what mine will be n they will be going in from the back (she has her disc at home in a jar!!), also asked if I will need graft from hip & he said no so I guess thats a good thing eh

Thank you for the numbers!! I have no idea which end to count from or which bits to count n people ask me n I just kinda shrug, show them pic n say 'that one' lol. The surgeon said I need multi level fusion however is going to do the lower one first & see how things go recovery wise as it will either make the above one better or worse, possible that will need second op but we'll see how we get on after the first. Is reluctant to do both at the same time due to my age (26).

Will be checking in on your thread to see how things are going for you!! Wishing you all the best in your recovery!!

**DMNTD:Me** · 30th September 2010, 16:11

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

I had a disc replaced in the L5/L6 region. Depending on kind of bike you ride, you should be able to ride it after the recouperation time.

I actually find putting on my socks and shoes the hardest task of all. No discomfort on the back at all.

Same...and lacing up my shoes
TBH I'd much rather have a couple of problems doing up my shoes than having acute spinal issues!
Re riding bikes...lol...think I've shown that it wouldn't slow anyone down however I am more comfortable on a sports or slightly forward leaning bike than an up right cruiser

**crazyhorse** · 30th September 2010, 17:06

Originally Posted by Dumpty

Same...and lacing up my shoes
TBH I'd much rather have a couple of problems doing up my shoes than having acute spinal issues!
Re riding bikes...lol...think I've shown that it wouldn't slow anyone down however I am more comfortable on a sports or slightly forward leaning bike than an up right cruiser

Totally agree with you - but I also told my friends I'd rather have a baby than the pain associated with any back condition - it really was undescribable, and those who have never experienced it, really have no idea of how acute it really is.

i'm about to tie up laces so I can go for a walk

but hey, at least I can!

**Edbear** · 30th September 2010, 18:56

Originally Posted by crazyhorse

Totally agree with you - but I also told my friends I'd rather have a baby than the pain associated with any back condition - it really was undescribable, and those who have never experienced it, really have no idea of how acute it really is.

i'm about to tie up laces so I can go for a walk

but hey, at least I can!

While I can't personally compare the two,

I'd probably agree with you...

It may be a while before I can tie my laces again, but then I have these two lovely blondes to do it for me...