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3 mos. post-op from 13th spine surgery, the last 8 being fusions

Posted by seanbeck @seanbeck, Apr 5, 2016

Hello there. This is my first post here and just trying to feel my way around. I was hoping if someone could tell me if my goals are attainable by the middle of June. I would just like to be able to play golf, catch, and water ski. I'm currently 3 mos. post -op from my 13th spine surgery, this one being an APILF 3-4, but with a 4-S1 revision. I also had a C3-T1 APICF in August, so neither of these fusions will be a year old. Is this a realistic goal? I'm into my 2nd week of hydrotherapy, but have yet to be given a home program. Thank you for taking the time to read this, and I welcome any and all comments.

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Kelsey Mohring | @kelseydm | Apr 8, 2016

Hi @seanbeck. I've seen a number of your posts over the past week. Thanks so much for joining Connect and getting plugged into these discussions. We are happy to have you!

First off, I love that you set a goal for yourself. Having something to work toward certainly aids in the recovery process. I'm not a doctor, but if I had to guess, i'm thinking the water skiing might be a stretch that soon after surgery. Water skiing can be really hard on your body. But if it's something that you love, i'd tell your PT that it's an important long-term goal for you. I'm assuming you are doing the hydrotherapy with a PT? If so, have you talked to them about these goals? What do they think?

I'm tagging @nan57, @ladidy, @riverqueen1305, @martishka, @elltd and @sasaka who have had similar procedures and may be able to provide some insight.

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1 reply
martishka | @martishka | Apr 8, 2016
In reply to @kelseydm "Hi @seanbeck. I've seen a number of your posts over the past week. Thanks so much..." + (show)
@kelseydm

Hi @seanbeck. I've seen a number of your posts over the past week. Thanks so much for joining Connect and getting plugged into these discussions. We are happy to have you!

First off, I love that you set a goal for yourself. Having something to work toward certainly aids in the recovery process. I'm not a doctor, but if I had to guess, i'm thinking the water skiing might be a stretch that soon after surgery. Water skiing can be really hard on your body. But if it's something that you love, i'd tell your PT that it's an important long-term goal for you. I'm assuming you are doing the hydrotherapy with a PT? If so, have you talked to them about these goals? What do they think?

I'm tagging @nan57, @ladidy, @riverqueen1305, @martishka, @elltd and @sasaka who have had similar procedures and may be able to provide some insight.

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Hello Kelsey, <br />
Your goals are lofty, and I admire them. But I think I would clear this with my PT and Dr before water skiing. I am not familiar with the various spinal surgeries you have had, I only have either a compression fracture in L3 or a "prominent Schmorl's node,", still waiting for a diagnosis that it conclusive. I struggle with a lot of pain, I can only imagine the numerous areas that have needed surgery in your case. I wish you luck, but would strongly urge getting a doctor.s opinion before embarking on golf, skiing etc... <br />
I wish you luck and a speedy recovery, <br />
martishka <br />
<br />

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riverqueen1305 | @riverqueen1305 | Apr 8, 2016

seanbeck, one of the things you did not mention was your age and overall health. That will have a lot to do with how quickly you recover. Also, what causes you to continue to need so many back surgeries. Are you sabotaging your own recovery. With the type of surgery you have had I would not recommend water skiing. I was once an avid water skier and there is too much stress on your back. One nasty fall is all it would take to reinjure yourself. As for golf, it is not ideal for one who has had back surgery either because of the trunk rotation needed to complete your swing. From this point forward you need to treat your back with kid gloves to protect the fusion. When I was in rehab I complained to my neuro surgeon I was disappointed in how slowly my latteral movent was coming back. He bluntly said It won't because you don't have any. Please have a very frank talk with your doctor or PT about what you can and can not do physically. Good luck

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1 reply
seanbeck | @seanbeck | Apr 12, 2016
In reply to @riverqueen1305 "seanbeck, one of the things you did not mention was your age and overall health. That..." + (show)
@riverqueen1305

seanbeck, one of the things you did not mention was your age and overall health. That will have a lot to do with how quickly you recover. Also, what causes you to continue to need so many back surgeries. Are you sabotaging your own recovery. With the type of surgery you have had I would not recommend water skiing. I was once an avid water skier and there is too much stress on your back. One nasty fall is all it would take to reinjure yourself. As for golf, it is not ideal for one who has had back surgery either because of the trunk rotation needed to complete your swing. From this point forward you need to treat your back with kid gloves to protect the fusion. When I was in rehab I complained to my neuro surgeon I was disappointed in how slowly my latteral movent was coming back. He bluntly said It won't because you don't have any. Please have a very frank talk with your doctor or PT about what you can and can not do physically. Good luck

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Dear RiverQueen,<br />
Thank you for your response and suggestions. Save for my back and neck<br />
problems, I'm a completely healthy 40 y.o. male at 5'11" 158lbs. I played<br />
soccer and baseball through my sophomore year in College, then went to work<br />
in the bar industry followed by a nasty car accident. I dont feel I'm<br />
"sabotaging" my recovery, its just I made the mistake of having a fusion,<br />
which I'm sure your aware of just puts pressure on the discs above and<br />
below the fused discs. Thus the domino effect took place. I just figured<br />
since I dont have any discs left (except in most of my thoracic area) I<br />
would be fine due to all the screws, rods, pins, plates, cages etc. that<br />
what damage could possibly be done? Or more than likely I need to speak to<br />
a professional and personally learn to lower my expectations. I dont know<br />
anymore. A lot of times, I just feel like giving up.<br />
Thank you for getting back to me!!<br />
seanbeck<br />
Sincerely,<br />
Brandon<br />

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