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T12 - S1 fusion for pain. Done this?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 27 6:18pm | Replies (134)Comment receiving replies
I'm a 59 year old woman with scoliosis. I had my back fused from T4 to S1. My surgery was done over three days, an 8 hour surgery through the abdomen, a rest day, and a 10 hour surgery through the back. My surgery was May of 2022. I was also scared of not being able to be active again and it was hard to find anyone that had a long fusion to give me perspective.
My restrictions of no bending, lifting, or twisting were in place for one year. All I was allowed to do was walk. Within 2 months I was able to walk over 3 miles and after 5 months I was able to walk 6 miles, pain free. Prior to the surgery, my back would have started to hurt after about 2 miles. The only thing now that prevents me from long distance walks is time. I also went snowshoeing. That's walking, right?
After one year my restrictions were lifted. I'm now in the rehabilitation stage. This past summer, I was able to ride my bike again. The longest ride was 20 miles. Not as far as before, but it is improving. I didn't have back pain, but I was struggling a bit with shoulders aching and my seat not hitting me correctly. I'll be riding more next summer after I have some adjustments made to my bike. I'm not yet willing to get an e-bike.
I was also able to hike in the mountains (I use hiking poles to help with stability), I'm starting to jog (slowly for short distances), and I'm back at the gym. I also played a few rounds of golf this summer. I can't hit far because I can't twist, but I hit straighter. I've purchased a season pass for downhill skiing, but haven't tried yet...waiting for snow! I'm confident I'll be able to ski, but I know I'll need help getting my boots on and getting up if I fall....don't fall, right?!?
This is a long way of saying, anything is possible. I'm determined to do everything I did before, but it may look a little different. This has been the most difficult and frustrating thing I've ever experienced. Those around me keep telling me I'm doing great. Personally, I'm disappointed that I let the frustration take over at times and I didn't progress as fast as I thought I should.
I have no back pain. I have some discomfort and still feel a little like a spine patient and my shoulders get a little achy and tired.
If you move forward with the surgery, set realistic goals....walk a little more than the day before. I set a goal of walking a 5K under an hour at three months, riding my bike for at least a 20 mile ride, and hiking. I did it!
My goals for the next 5 months are downhill skiing, cross country skiing, jog a 5K, and do 50 pushups the day of my 2 year anniversary.
I wish you luck and encourage patience...something I lack.
Kelly
Replies to "I'm a 59 year old woman with scoliosis. I had my back fused from T4 to..."
@klsteffes , Hello, would love to have a conversation with you about your experiences. I am currently fused T12-L4 from a prior back injury and am now looking at adding L5,S1 and he wants to include screws to my Iliac Crest to add my SI joint as well.
I have a combination of stenosis in my L4,L5 plus SI joint issues causing my symptoms.
It seems most of the stories I read do not bode well for activity post-surgery and I am hopeful I can continue hiking, biking, snowshoeing and ski-biking.
I was worried the long fusion would result in my body not being able to absorb the shock of hiking and ski-biking as well as what happens when I wipe-out on my ski-bike.
I am planning to have a 3rd conversation with my surgeon to make sure I have all my questions answered and there isn't anything I am missing but listening to your story and success, am hoping to hear more of your story and feedback, lessons learned, experiences etc.
Thoughts?
Thanks! Bob
@klsteffes Thank you for sharing your fusion story. My husband is already fused T9- S (don't remember the number) with wires attaching to his pelvis. This was a total redo from 4 prior surgeries plus higher. He now has T7-8 and T8-9 with issues and is considering fusion. He is concerned with restrictions - being able to move, drive, bend etc... He is as active as he can be but is in pain. He is now 79 years old. The surgery of 12 hours was done at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester and we think very highly of the surgeon. He has DDD, was in 5 helicopter crashes in VietNam. When he was 60 years old he was told he had the back of a 90 year old.
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Boy, I needed to hear your story and thank you for sharing!! I am going to try and cross country ski prior to surgery so I will be less likely to fall post surgery.