Hello Mary. Several questions. When was your fusion? Please describe your stiffness. Does it extent beyond level of fusion? Could you swing a golf club comfortably? Touch your toes?
I’d appreciate your reply and glad you have no pain. Bill

Thanks Mary - I'm glad to hear you're managing your fusion well. It's a serious procedure as you well know, one I want to avoid.

And to clear that up about me. No I would much rather keep my core strong and avoid fusion. I met my surgeon for the first time over one year ago - it was a purely preventative visit. He was referred to me by by knee Dr. When I arrived, XRays were taken before I even saw the surgeon.

In all humility, he was surprised to see someone as fit as I am. He said just from the pictures of my lumbar spine, he expected a bent over old man. He advised me to continue with the core work, because if surgery were ever necessary, it would require some fusion.

I'm 70 now, well almost, and want to be ready with a surgeon I trust if I ever do need surgery. Everything that could be wrong with my lumbar spine is wrong. Stenosis, scoliosis, vertebra slipping over another, disc degeneration and osteoarthritis. It's a mess.

You wouldn't know by my lifestyle. I'm at the gym each day and do spin 5 days a week and I work with a trainer twice a week. But with my lumbar spine, picking up a case of water at Costco the wrong way could result in surgery, so I'm careful.

Anyway, I hope that clears it up. I've also lost 25 lbs in the last year and am now at normal weight for my height. You're right, life is about compromise. I had my knees replaced to rid myself of the pain. I'll do the same with my back, but will avoid at all costs.

Even so it's good to hear your story. I've had two bouts with sciatica, one resulting in laminotomies at S1, L4, and L5. They worked but I'm not a fool.

Thanks again Mary. I'm really glad you are doing well, even with a bit of stiffness. It sounds like you had a good surgeon and took your recovery seriously. All the best.

Joe