L4 to T11 spinal fusion for scoliosis

Posted by sherrym25 @sherrym25, Nov 7 9:34pm

Hi, I am scheduled for an L4 to T11 spinal fusion for my 40 degree scoliosis curve on December 11 2024.

Looking for feedback or advice for recovery from anyone who has had a similar surgery!!

I very active, with an “almost” teenager, and I ride horses.

Thank you!!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

gently | @gently | Nov 8 9:34am

sherrym25, pretty exciting. Just want to wish you well.

sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | Nov 8 10:37am

In reply to @gently "sherrym25, pretty exciting. Just want to wish you well." + (show)

Thank you so much! It’s scary but I’m so hopeful for a life ahead without so much pain.
I plan to journal as much as possible.
Hoping to hear from anybody who had a similar experience to give me an idea what I’m in for😊

Jennifer, Volunteer Mentor | @jenniferhunter | 5 days ago

@sherrym25 Welcome to Connect. Have you discussed horseback riding with your surgeon? I am a spine surgery patient, but with a cervical single level fusion, and I own a horse. I have had no problems riding and have my surgeon's blessing, but I also do not do any fast riding. I trail ride and have a gaited Tennessee Walker, so he does not trot. He can break into a pace which is uncomfortable and bounces like a trot. I would predict that your surgeon would ask you not to ride horses or anything that can pound or bounce your spine after a big surgery like this. You also have to consider that the other non-fused spinal discs are going to have a lot more stress on them because of the fused levels that don't move. You can have further problems and need more surgery because of this extra wear a tear, so being kind to your spine might mean giving up horseback riding. I'm sure you love horses like I do. Your lower spine does a lot of compensation movement when you are riding a horse just at a walk.

That will be a long recovery. There are a couple of discussions on the topic that you might find helpful:

--- What are people's experiences with spinal fusion surgery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/spinal-fusion-2/

--- Spinal Fusion: Upcoming surgery, what was your experience, any tips?
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/new-2/
I would be interested to hear what your surgeon advises for your recovery.

sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | 5 days ago

In reply to @jenniferhunter "@sherrym25 Welcome to Connect. Have you discussed horseback riding with your surgeon? I am a spine..." + (show)

Thank you Jennifer!! I really appreciate your insight and experience.

I did tell my surgeon that I ride horses, but didn’t talk about a future of riding horses after surgery. The pain that I am in, every single day, has brought me to the point that I need the surgery, no matter what. He performed a similar surgery on a gal who rode horses and said she was able to return to normal activities after she healed. 🙏

I have a gelding that I am breaking now and will have a few rides on him before my surgery. I plan to pick back up with him when I am healed, and I’m prepared that it will take a long time before I can do that.

I’m just so grateful and blessed that my surgery will not fuse my spine to my pelvis, which would of course, prevent the flexibility and range of motion that I need to ride.

What I think I’m NOT prepared for is how long the recovery will take. I have been a firefighter my whole career and ridden horses from the age of three. Limiting my mobility is something I will have to keep at the front of my mind every single day.

Thank you so much for sending me the discussion links. I’ve already read one and found it to be very helpful.

I know that everyone’s experience with healing is different, but I hope that someone who has a similar situation as mine, can share what they went through during the healing process to help me mentally prepare.

I plan to journal my journey with my upcoming surgery on December 11, 2024 with the hope that it will help someone else.🙏❤️

morkat | @morkat | 3 days ago

I had the complete lumbar spine done 2005. It helped, but with DDD it continues to be a problem. For a few years it helped, I tried to get up from my desk and couldn't had to call co-workers to help. It was directly related to PT I was doing for a frozen shoulder. In 2012, I received a morphine pump that works great. For me, there is so much arthritis throughout my body. I see it as a journey that working with a good neurosurgeon dealt with problems as they arose. I think you are better off with surgery, to do nothing could result in worse problems.
Good luck.

sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | 2 days ago

In reply to @morkat "I had the complete lumbar spine done 2005. It helped, but with DDD it continues to..." + (show)

I’m new here…what is DDD?
What vertebrate were included in your fusion? I’m expecting to lose quite a bit of mobility but if I can reduce the pain, I’m all in.
When did you start PT after surgery? My surgery is on Dec 11 and I’m looking around to find a PT who has experience with spine surgery patients.
Thank you so much for your message!