Can you play tennis after spinal fusion and laminectomy of L4 and L5

I played tennis for many years after a laminectomy, of the L5 SI and then later a fusion of the 4-5. It was other things that ended up stopping me from playing but hopefully you should be able to play which also would be good in keeping your core strong. Good luck.

Thanks so much for your reply. One doc wants to do a laminectomy, the other with fusion. First dic against fusion for tennis bc will put strain on other parts of spine. Makes sense to me. I’ve played tennis for 70 years and want a few more years. If I need fusion later on, my tennis days may be over anyway.
If you have one mire comment, I would appreciate it.
Karima

Did other things happen because you played tennis?

Not from tennis but had bad luck with shoulder replacements .

Sorry about that.

@karima The more you use it the greater wear and tear on our joints. If you’ve played for 70 years and stayed active good for you. But depending on what specifically is wrong with your back you need to be careful. PT after any back surgery is a must and then build on that as a starting point. Also check to see what your Dexa scan show for spine health as this can effect healing. I’m 71 post fusion L4-S1 in 1990 and although active I’ve got OA of spine and PN in both legs. So the more active you are post surgery the better. Surgery is your last resort.

"I’m 71 post fusion L4-S1 in 1990 and although active I’ve got OA of spine and PN in both legs. So the more active you are post surgery the better. Surgery is your last resort."

If I'm reading this correctly, you had the L4-S1 fusion when you were approximately 35 years old. I had back pain since I was 32 and I'm now almost 70. I took prednisone for nearly 35 years for autoimmune inflammatory arthritis. Now they say I have severe OA and they want to fuse the worst of it at L4-5 but possibly my entire lumbar spine. I don't think all that damage was caused by OA.

Surgery will be my last resort but pain will be the "deciding factor." Pain almost decided it 10 years ago but I wiggled out of it.

I had PN too but now they call it significant nerve damage.

The prednisone most likely played a part too. Back in 1990 not a lot was known about backs, back rehab, long term PT, etc. and my fusion was with stainless steel bars not titanium. Recovery now is much easier but remember the older you get the harder the recovery is. This played a part in med deciding to not have my bars replaced with titanium. One recovery period was enough for me. Pain and disability should be driving your decision on surgery.

Thank you for responding. I have tried everything but surgery. I am going to have a laminectomy- L4,, L5. Hope to play tennis again, but walking without pain is number one.