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Author Topic: Spinal fusion  (Read 3185 times)

Moen

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Spinal fusion
« on: February 05, 2009, 11:05:32 AM »
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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The Showstoppa

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #1 on: February 05, 2009, 11:09:25 AM »
Quote from: Moen on February 05, 2009, 11:05:32 AM
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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tommywishbone

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #2 on: February 05, 2009, 11:19:45 AM »
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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chainsaw

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #3 on: February 05, 2009, 11:25:10 AM »
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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jbflift

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #4 on: February 05, 2009, 06:52:41 PM »
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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Moen

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #5 on: February 05, 2009, 11:38:21 PM »
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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chainsaw

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #6 on: February 06, 2009, 05:56:36 AM »
Quote from: Moen on February 05, 2009, 11:38:21 PM
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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rk272727

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #7 on: February 06, 2009, 01:45:20 PM »

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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Chick

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #8 on: February 06, 2009, 02:11:28 PM »
Had the L-5 disc removed and then fused together back in 1998....havent had a problem since,
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Has Beens

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #9 on: February 06, 2009, 04:00:01 PM »
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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ether

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #10 on: February 06, 2009, 05:38:08 PM »
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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Alex23

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #11 on: February 06, 2009, 06:56:12 PM »
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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Has Beens

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #12 on: February 06, 2009, 07:45:10 PM »
Quote from: Alex23 on February 06, 2009, 06:56:12 PM
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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Alex23

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #13 on: February 06, 2009, 09:01:00 PM »
Quote from: Has Beens on February 06, 2009, 07:45:10 PM
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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Alex23

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #14 on: February 06, 2009, 09:02:30 PM »
Quote from: Chick on February 06, 2009, 02:11:28 PM
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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Moen

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #15 on: February 08, 2009, 04:25:29 AM »
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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Chick

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #16 on: February 08, 2009, 05:30:50 AM »
Quote from: Alex23 on February 06, 2009, 09:02:30 PM
Bob, how come you have no visible scars?

I do....lower back, where the L-5 is located
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SAMSON123

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #17 on: February 08, 2009, 11:05:59 AM »
Quote from: Moen on February 08, 2009, 04:25:29 AM
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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Alex23

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #18 on: February 08, 2009, 11:11:26 AM »
Quote from: Chick on February 08, 2009, 05:30:50 AM
I do....lower back, where the L-5 is located

never noticed in any pics... must be pretty small..
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The Showstoppa

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #19 on: February 08, 2009, 12:00:10 PM »
Quote from: Alex23 on February 08, 2009, 11:11:26 AM
never noticed in any pics... must be pretty small..

How close you been looking Alex?  ;D
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Alex23

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #20 on: February 08, 2009, 12:13:23 PM »
Quote from: The Showstoppa on February 08, 2009, 12:00:10 PM
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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Moen

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #21 on: February 08, 2009, 12:30:47 PM »
Quote from: SAMSON123 on February 08, 2009, 11:05:59 AM
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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The Showstoppa

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #22 on: February 08, 2009, 01:01:24 PM »
Quote from: Alex23 on February 08, 2009, 12:13:23 PM
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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Alex23

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #23 on: February 08, 2009, 01:02:45 PM »
Quote from: The Showstoppa on February 08, 2009, 01:01:24 PM
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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The Showstoppa

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Re: Spinal fusion
« Reply #24 on: February 08, 2009, 01:05:43 PM »
Quote from: Alex23 on February 08, 2009, 01:02:45 PM
BiSchmoeculars

I just spatted out my beer protein shake....hahaha
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