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Date: 22 Sep 2006 22:10:55
From: Smokey
Subject: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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I'm scheduled for a four disc spinal fusion on Oct. 31st. My spine is a
mess, if it was a building they'd bulldoze it down and build a new one.
Four discs gone and a big bulging curve in it. It's in my low back at
L3, L4, L5, and S1. Has anyone here had an operation like this and if
so, how long before you got back on your bike? Thanks in advance for
any replies.
Smokey
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 12:48:39
From: Smokey
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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rick-paulos@uiowa.edu wrote:
> Just wondering if you have investigated disc replacement surgery.
> There are a number of different replacement discs on the ket but not
> many surgeons do that procedure yet. The surgery is rather different,
> they go in from the front instead of the back to avoid the spinal
> nerve. Big abdominal opening, lift out your intestines to get access,
> etc.
>
> Rick
> Age 50, 1 back surgery so far. Discs degenerating as we type....
> Pretty much had to quit racing but I stil ride road bikes.
>
>
I did investigate disc replacement surgery. The doctor that I'm using
is familiar with it, but says I am a very poor candidate due to the
amount of discs involved and the extent of the damage. It's pretty
obvious to a layman looking at the X-rays that something has to be
done to realign my discs and hold them in line. One of the reasons
chiropractors don't do me any good any more is because my spinal column
is so loose in the lumbar region that it will pop back out of line
before I get home (or maybe even out of his office). I used to be able
to do some yoga exercises that helped, now they often cause everything
to pop out. Most back patients are inflexible, I'm too flexible. I've
also done special exercises to strengthen my lower back muscles and
have a hyperextension bench here at home. It used to help, but not any
more. Other than my back, I'm really healthy. I haven't had a cold,
bronchitis, or the flu for years. Once I get this fixed, I should be
all set.
Smokey
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 09:56:05
From: rick-paulos@uiowa.edu
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Just wondering if you have investigated disc replacement surgery.
There are a number of different replacement discs on the ket but not
many surgeons do that procedure yet. The surgery is rather different,
they go in from the front instead of the back to avoid the spinal
nerve. Big abdominal opening, lift out your intestines to get access,
etc.
Rick
Age 50, 1 back surgery so far. Discs degenerating as we type....
Pretty much had to quit racing but I stil ride road bikes.
Smokey wrote:
>
> > ::::::
> > ::::: I'm 54 years old.
>
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 08:50:04
From: Smokey
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Roger Zoul wrote:
> Smokey wrote:
> :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> ::: Smokey wrote:
> ::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
> :::::: I'm curious as to how old you are?
> ::::::
> ::::: I'm 54 years old.
> :::
> ::: Did an accident or something bring you to this point? You seem
> ::: young for a fusion.
> ::
> :: Two motorcycle accidents did most of the damage. In 1981 I crashed
> :: hard in a motocross race, coming off a jump way up in the air and
> :: landing flat on my butt. Broke a vertebrae and started my problems.
> :: In 1996 I was riding my street bike to work and hit a car that
> :: pulled out in front of me. This time I got a broken wrist and a
> :: severe compression injury to my spine. Things went downhill from
> :: there and that's why I need a fusion today.
> ::
> :: Smokey
>
> Wow. I wish you well in the surgery. I'm hopeful you'll be back on your
> road bike soon!
Thanks for all the good wishes, everyone. I've been to several doctors
and they are all of the opinion that this is the only way to fix my
problem. I've tried a lot of things, including chiropractors, special
exercise regimens, acupuncture, pain clinic therapy, and massage. I've
got a good attitude about this and have the support of my family, which
means a lot. It also helps to have folks like you wishing me well. I'm
sure I'll be back to riding good as new as soon as the recovery period
is over.
Smokey
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 08:06:54
From: Frank Drackman
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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"Smokey" <smokeystrodtman@hotmail.com > wrote in message
news:1158988255.434079.257510@e3g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
> I'm scheduled for a four disc spinal fusion on Oct. 31st. My spine is a
> mess, if it was a building they'd bulldoze it down and build a new one.
> Four discs gone and a big bulging curve in it. It's in my low back at
> L3, L4, L5, and S1. Has anyone here had an operation like this and if
> so, how long before you got back on your bike? Thanks in advance for
> any replies.
>
> Smokey
>
I have a very long and sad story about spinal fusion that would be happy to
share offline (frankdrack@yahoo.com). My advice is only get the surgery if
multiple doctors can tell you that the same exact area is causing the
problem and that operation is the ONLY solution. The latest figures that I
saw were that spinal fusion (over multiple discs) had a 50% success
rate...exactly the same as patients who did other treatments like PT,
massage, chiropractor, and weight loss.
Also make sure that the only reason that you are getting the operation is
that you really want to get better. Many people do it to miss work, sue
somebody, or are looking for a long-term disability. All of your energy
needs to be positive and directed to getting better. The recovery is a
bitch, especially if they have to use your own bone chips for the fusion.
That said, if you require the surgery and are willing to work hard on rehab,
you can probably get your life back.
I had some really bad complications so it took me a couple of years before I
could ride more than a few miles but normal recovery will get you back on
the bike much sooner.
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 06:57:28
From:
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Smokey, I think you will do fine. I am sorry to sound cynical, but as
one who has had a lot of experience in dealing with people who've had
fusions, I find that they divide into two groups: the ones who want to
get better, and those who don't. The ones who don't usually have
either some kind of legal action going, wherein their damages or
compensation depends on how bad their back is, or else they've got
"secondary gain" - they just don't want to return to work for some
reason. (Usually people in this second group have healed up
post-surgery better than they want to admit.) Since you, on the other
hand, want to get well, I think you will do so. But you know how
important it is to keep a good attitude during your recovery.
Therefore, I would suggest, don't listen to people who want to tell you
how bad their back is. The reason I mention this is that there are so
many people like that, and they really want to tell someone how bad
their back is, and it will really bring you down attitude-wise, so
don't let it be you that they tell. If you are interested, the
insurance industry will give you inspirational recordings to listen to
made by, for example, football players who kept playing ball even
though their backs were all messed up. Some people can get a more
positive attitude during their recovery from spine surgery by listening
to things like that. Good luck. Triangular Fred
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Date: 24 Sep 2006 19:26:22
From: Smokey
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Roger Zoul wrote:
> Smokey wrote:
> :: Roger Zoul wrote:
> ::: I'm curious as to how old you are?
> :::
> :: I'm 54 years old.
>
> Did an accident or something bring you to this point? You seem young for a
> fusion.
Two motorcycle accidents did most of the damage. In 1981 I crashed hard
in a motocross race, coming off a jump way up in the air and landing
flat on my butt. Broke a vertebrae and started my problems. In 1996 I
was riding my street bike to work and hit a car that pulled out in
front of me. This time I got a broken wrist and a severe compression
injury to my spine. Things went downhill from there and that's why I
need a fusion today.
Smokey
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Date: 25 Sep 2006 11:11:36
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Smokey wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: Smokey wrote:
::::: Roger Zoul wrote:
:::::: I'm curious as to how old you are?
::::::
::::: I'm 54 years old.
:::
::: Did an accident or something bring you to this point? You seem
::: young for a fusion.
::
:: Two motorcycle accidents did most of the damage. In 1981 I crashed
:: hard in a motocross race, coming off a jump way up in the air and
:: landing flat on my butt. Broke a vertebrae and started my problems.
:: In 1996 I was riding my street bike to work and hit a car that
:: pulled out in front of me. This time I got a broken wrist and a
:: severe compression injury to my spine. Things went downhill from
:: there and that's why I need a fusion today.
::
:: Smokey
Wow. I wish you well in the surgery. I'm hopeful you'll be back on your
road bike soon!
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Date: 23 Sep 2006 18:16:16
From: Smokey
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Roger Zoul wrote:
> I'm curious as to how old you are?
>
I'm 54 years old.
Smokey
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Date: 24 Sep 2006 11:32:50
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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Smokey wrote:
:: Roger Zoul wrote:
::: I'm curious as to how old you are?
:::
:: I'm 54 years old.
Did an accident or something bring you to this point? You seem young for a
fusion.
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Date: 23 Sep 2006 17:59:00
From: Roger Zoul
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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I'm curious as to how old you are?
Smokey wrote:
:: I'm scheduled for a four disc spinal fusion on Oct. 31st. My spine
:: is a mess, if it was a building they'd bulldoze it down and build a
:: new one. Four discs gone and a big bulging curve in it. It's in my
:: low back at L3, L4, L5, and S1. Has anyone here had an operation
:: like this and if so, how long before you got back on your bike?
:: Thanks in advance for any replies.
::
:: Smokey
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Date: 23 Sep 2006 05:42:27
From: oilfreeandhappy
Subject: Re: Anyone here had a spinal fusion?
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My brother had this surgery. It worked out great for him. I'm not
sure how many discs he had fused. Prior to the surgery, he was in
extreme pain, in the upper legs. He tried everything before the
surgery.
Smokey wrote:
> I'm scheduled for a four disc spinal fusion on Oct. 31st. My spine is a
> mess, if it was a building they'd bulldoze it down and build a new one.
> Four discs gone and a big bulging curve in it. It's in my low back at
> L3, L4, L5, and S1. Has anyone here had an operation like this and if
> so, how long before you got back on your bike? Thanks in advance for
> any replies.
>
> Smokey
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