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L4 to T11 spinal fusion for scoliosis

Spine Health | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (8)
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@jenniferhunter

@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.

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Replies to "@sherrym25 Welcome to Connect. Have you discussed horseback riding with your surgeon? I am a spine..."
sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | 5 days ago

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.🙏❤️

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