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Getbig Main Boards => Gossip & Opinions => Topic started by: Moen on February 05, 2009, 11:05:32 AM
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Long story short I have scoliosis with a small cobb-angle but a more pronounced 3 dimensional rotation of my spinal column. I've been suffering from low back pain for a couple of years now and have been thinking about getting a spinal fusion to both correct the 3d rotation and hopefully end my back pain. Now in my case this would mean both a lumbar and thoracic fusion of several vertebrae so not just one or two sadly.
I wanted to hear what some of you who had this procedure done (or know of people who had it done) can or can not do anymore afterwards?
I've heard stories about being completely done what serious weight training is concerned all the way to still being able to do everything as before albeit much more comfortable.
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Long story short I have scoliosis with a small cobb-angle but a more pronounced 3 dimensional rotation of my spinal column. I've been suffering from low back pain for a couple of years now and have been thinking about getting a spinal fusion to both correct the 3d rotation and hopefully end my back pain. Now in my case this would mean both a lumbar and thoracic fusion of several vertebrae so not just one or two sadly.
I wanted to hear what some of you who had this procedure done (or know of people who had it done) can or can not do anymore afterwards?
I've heard stories about being completely done what serious weight training is concerned all the way to still being able to do everything as before albeit much more comfortable.
Most of the people I've ever spoken with after spinal fusion said they experienced immediate relief from pain and many were able to go back and do the same things as before. There should be others on here that can give you more input. Good luck and hope it turns out well for you.
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In my opinion and experience, have the surgery ASAP. You'll lose some ROM, but it's no big deal. In my case, cervical fusion, I was pain free almost immediately after surgery.
There might be some issues with spinal loading after you heal, but you can train around that.
Ask for Oxycontin as a pain med. Party!
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Do not get a fusion. They never work.
Look into Microdisectomy/laminecrtomy.
They worked great on my l4-5 Disks.
Trust me on this one.
You're age also should be a factor.
Everyone i talk to said they were better off before the fusion!
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I had c6-c7 fused in 2000. It has helped me a great deal. The only limitation are neck extensions. I can box, grapple or whatever.
I have seen a lot of people with l5-s1 fusions and have had nothing but problems. If you live in the L.A. area I would only go to Robert Watkins, M.D. Most pro sports teams use him.
Where do you live? There are a lot of hacks out there, so be careful.
They have really surgery down that can be pretty painless. I did not take one pain pill or one pump on the morphin pump. It was that easy.
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Thanks guys, as I expected mixed opinions. I'm from Belgium so that is yet another reason for more doubt as I can not help but to think we are way behind on you guys what (specialised) medical treatments are concerned :( :P
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Thanks guys, as I expected mixed opinions. I'm from Belgium so that is yet another reason for more doubt as I can not help but to think we are way behind on you guys what (specialised) medical treatments are concerned :( :P
good luck
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OI had L 5 s1 done awhile ago and still have alot of discomfort but it is better than before lost a lil rom still train almost everyday just lighter on legs than before. I took 5 months off after and resumed training with little problems you need it get it dont put offf too long Some people experience greater quality of life after i believe its worth it no matter what
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Had the L-5 disc removed and then fused together back in 1998....havent had a problem since,
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I had my neck done ( c-5, c-6) almost 20 years ago and have had no trouble. Immediate pain relief upon waking from surgery.
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Hate to rain on the parade but the type of fusion being referred to in these posts is for the correction of
disc herniation. Fusion for the correction of scoliosis with be much more extensive bridging several
vertebral levels.
Incidentally, what is the cause of your scoliosis?
If you are young the scoliosis will progress without surgery. With surgery, you will probably never work out again.
Either way, a very difficult decision to make.
Good luck though.
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Sorry to hear that Moen. I've been struggling with back pain for 15 years... herniated S1 in 2006 and never fully recovered althought the hernia somewhat resorbed.
Go for the surgery. I'm thinking about it myself..
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Sorry to hear that Moen. I've been struggling with back pain for 15 years... herniated S1 in 2006 and never fully recovered althought the hernia somewhat resorbed.
Go for the surgery. I'm thinking about it myself..
I have the same problem Alex, but I get the epidural every year or so and it really helps.
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I have the same problem Alex, but I get the epidural every year or so and it really helps.
How do you prevent muscle atrophy? Isn't nerve impingment going to cause it on the long run? I'm pretty sure my left quad / calf are already weaker and affect by it :(
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Had the L-5 disc removed and then fused together back in 1998....havent had a problem since,
Bob, how come you have no visible scars?
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Thanks for the comments guys! Like ether said I'm looking at fusion of more than 2 vertebrae, at least 4 and possibly even more. So you're affirmative on the training being over for good then ether?
I could always opt for a fusion of only 2 lumbar vertebrae to hopefully eliminate the lower back pain and just leave the idea of ever having a straight spine to rest
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Bob, how come you have no visible scars?
I do....lower back, where the L-5 is located
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Thanks for the comments guys! Like ether said I'm looking at fusion of more than 2 vertebrae, at least 4 and possibly even more. So you're affirmative on the training being over for good then ether?
I could always opt for a fusion of only 2 lumbar vertebrae to hopefully eliminate the lower back pain and just leave the idea of ever having a straight spine to rest
Can tell you this Moen..as another poster said...FUSIONS RARELY WORK and at best they leave severe limitations to movement afterwards...ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE MULTIPLE VERTEBRAE FUSED. Scoliosis is corrected using many means in america...it all depends on how the scoliosis has progressed adn whether or not it is not continuing to deform. I saw a surgery for an extreme case of scoliosis on a show on the Discovery Channel some months ago. A woman was SEVERELY hunched over and twisted. The doctors installed metal rods along the sides of her spine and with time and adjustments was able to correct the deformity WITHOUT any fusions. You may have to investigate other options for your situation...but whatever yo do DO NOT RUSH INTO ANYTHING. Once fusions are done they are FOREVER and can not be undone.
You can look at some of these links for information. Do a google search using SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT or BACK CURVATURE as search words and investigate options
http://www.scoliosisrx.com/
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article48.html
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/scoliosis/treatment-for-adult-scoliosis.html
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I do....lower back, where the L-5 is located
never noticed in any pics... must be pretty small..
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never noticed in any pics... must be pretty small..
How close you been looking Alex? ;D
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How close you been looking Alex? ;D
It's hard to get very close to the stage with all the schmoes gathering in front of it like it's a Metallica concert.... ...
;D
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Can tell you this Moen..as another poster said...FUSIONS RARELY WORK and at best they leave severe limitations to movement afterwards...ESPECIALLY WHEN THERE ARE MULTIPLE VERTEBRAE FUSED. Scoliosis is corrected using many means in america...it all depends on how the scoliosis has progressed adn whether or not it is not continuing to deform. I saw a surgery for an extreme case of scoliosis on a show on the Discovery Channel some months ago. A woman was SEVERELY hunched over and twisted. The doctors installed metal rods along the sides of her spine and with time and adjustments was able to correct the deformity WITHOUT any fusions. You may have to investigate other options for your situation...but whatever yo do DO NOT RUSH INTO ANYTHING. Once fusions are done they are FOREVER and can not be undone.
You can look at some of these links for information. Do a google search using SCOLIOSIS TREATMENT or BACK CURVATURE as search words and investigate options
http://www.scoliosisrx.com/
http://www.spineuniverse.com/displayarticle.php/article48.html
http://health.nytimes.com/health/guides/disease/scoliosis/treatment-for-adult-scoliosis.html
Thanks man, appreciate it!
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It's hard to get very close to the stage with all the schmoes gathering in front of it like it's a Metallica concert.... ...
;D
haha, I know, don't they know that when a man wants to appreciate some striated glutes or glute-hamstring tie ins...he needs deeeep focus!
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haha, I know, don't they know that when a man wants to appreciate some striated glutes or glute-hamstring tie ins...he needs deeeep focus!
Maybe we should come up with BiSchmoeculars so they won't have to gather so closely.... a big seller at the Arnold Classic
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BiSchmoeculars
I just spatted out my beer protein shake....hahaha
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I just spatted out my beer protein shake....hahaha
HAHAHA!!!
hey how's the weather in NC? I'm heading to Raleigh tonight and back on wednesday.. heard it's blizzardish for the last couple of days..
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HAHAHA!!!
hey how's the weather in NC? I'm heading to Raleigh tonight and back on wednesday.. heard it's blizzardish for the last couple of days..
Oh man, it's 70! Perfect weather. It was very cold last week, but awesome weekend.
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Oh man, it's 70! Perfect weather. It was very cold last week, but awesome weekend.
sweet. no need to pack my heavy jacket then. Leaves more space to bring my fleshlight gym stuff
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sweet. no need to pack my heavy jacket then. Leaves more space to bring my fleshlight gym stuff
for sure no heavy jacket...just a thong, posing oil and a cape! Unless your meetings are more formal. ;D
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for sure no heavy jacket...just a thong, posing oil and a cape! Unless your meetings are more formal. ;D
HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! especially @ cape... ;D
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How do you prevent muscle atrophy? Isn't nerve impingment going to cause it on the long run? I'm pretty sure my left quad / calf are already weaker and affect by it :(
I do actually have atrophy in my left quad in certain areas.
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I do actually have atrophy in my left quad in certain areas.
how big are the areas? do you think it's reversible?
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sweet. no need to pack my heavy jacket then. Leaves more space to bring my fleshlight gym stuff
LOL
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Ive had disc replacement at c5,6 c6,7, my whole right side died on me, atrophied so quickly the pec tricep lat, i had nerve impingment at those levels, as im still quite young and wanted to get back into training if i recover, i went with Titanium disc replacments. I put up with it for to long, get it done asap, im still trying to recover, im 9 months post op, strengths returning but the muscle bellies arent, could be up to two years, dont wait for the atrophy to start, nerves take a long time to repair. Pain wise im a lot better, but i never really had to much pain until it was to late, it was like pain one month atrophy the next, get it sorted,
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Ive had disc replacement at c5,6 c6,7, my whole right side died on me, atrophied so quickly the pec tricep lat, i had nerve impingment at those levels, as im still quite young and wanted to get back into training if i recover, i went with Titanium disc replacments. I put up with it for to long, get it done asap, im still trying to recover, im 9 months post op, strengths returning but the muscle bellies arent, could be up to two years, dont wait for the atrophy to start, nerves take a long time to repair. Pain wise im a lot better, but i never really had to much pain until it was to late, it was like pain one month atrophy the next, get it sorted,
Damn, man. good luck in your recovery, that has to be tough. Sounds like you got a great attitude about it.
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I have a bit of scoliosis and I think I have some weird this on the left side of my body,
Alot smaller leg, Smaller lat, and arm, but the arm thing is pretty normal.
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I have the same problem Alex, but I get the epidural every year or so and it really helps.
I had 4 epidurals in one year after my microdisectomy surgery, and my pain is way less.
Sometimes it takes more than 1 round of shots.
Remember, neck fusion and lower back fusion are 2 different things as well.
Lower back is more serious since that is you're center of gravity L4-S5 is where my lamonectomy/mcrodisectomy was as well.
Also, find a good detox plan. I know you have to be on some serious meds. pM me if I'm correct,and need help lookingl.
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how big are the areas? do you think it's reversible?
Although quads are not my strong point..cough, cough !.....I notice that since the injiry, the left side lags compared to the right except for sweep. No noticible strength loss, just muscle fullness.
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Damn, man. good luck in your recovery, that has to be tough. Sounds like you got a great attitude about it.
Thanks.
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Although quads are not my strong point..cough, cough !.....I notice that since the injiry, the left side lags compared to the right except for sweep. No noticible strength loss, just muscle fullness.
Oh got it... I thought you meant only certain "spots" on your quad actually "atrophied"...