Back Surgery
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 146
Likes: 0
From: Lake Havasu City, AZ
my wife had similar fusion and the pain is severe... the question is are they going in from the front or the rear? My wife was told sometime they are able to go in through the front and the healing time is quicker due to less muscle being cut to get to the spine. Her recovery time was long although the fusion is strong... so hopefully you have the same results!
Oh, I'm lucky. They are going in from the front AND the back! No muscle cutting from the front, they just push stuff out of the way - cut out the discs - put in the cages (spacers) and BMP (bone morphic protein) then larger incision in the back for the erector set. I have 2 close friends that had the same thing done, by the same Dr, so I got a thorough briefing.
Tourer
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 404
Likes: 1
From: Athens, Georgia
The Docs "messed" with my back for years with injections, physical therapy, etc. Finally the pain in my right leg was SO intolerable that I had to have something done. I was 57 years old at the time (59 now). Its REAL easy to get caught-up in the Pain Clinic deal after this, be very carefull as these guys WILL give you a TON of narcotics for a long time after this type surgery. I struggled for months "getting off" oxycontin and dilaudid. Good Luck , God Bless.
PS: It was a good surgery I have never regreated having the procedure. gs
PS: It was a good surgery I have never regreated having the procedure. gs
I had L1-L2-L3 Fused in Aug. 09. I had fallen at work and crushed the vertebrae so I was not able to use the cage from the front. Had to go through the back. Also did a bone graft from the hip. The bone graft has given me more discomfort than the fusion.
I also have a degenerative disc at L5-S1 but we are going to wait on that. I was just released from the Doc with a permanent weight restriction of 25 Lb. I have not ridden since the surgury. Hopefully be able to get the bike out in a couple weeks.
I also have a degenerative disc at L5-S1 but we are going to wait on that. I was just released from the Doc with a permanent weight restriction of 25 Lb. I have not ridden since the surgury. Hopefully be able to get the bike out in a couple weeks.
Tourer
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 347
Likes: 0
Sciatica
The only relief I got from the pain in my lower leg ( felt like a sword stabbing my calf from the back side) was to sleep on a chaise that elevated my knees. I went to a ROLFER to get relief. The opposite of a chiropractor-they work on the connective tissue rather than cracking your back. It took ten weeks but I was realigned and "grew" 3/4 of an inch. Pain free over ten years!
Wow I'm glad I'm not the only one... but wouldn't wish the pain I was in on my worst enemy.
I had severe compression of L4,L5 & S1 - I couldn't stand for more then a minute or two with being in terrible pain. I slept on the floor in our basement for almost 3 months. when I traveled I was on the floor of my motel room & I needed a wheel chair to get to & from the gate. I had 3 MRI's in less then 12 months & my Dr. arranged for one in 48 hours, which in Canada is unheard of unless you play for the Toronto Maple Leafs!
I was up to 5-6 tylenal 4 with 60 mg's of codeine every day & there was no sleeping unless I was completely wacked.
I was given 2 options, the first was surgery - but there was a 10-12 month wait for that. The second was Spinal Decompression Therapy, in Canada I went to the low back clinic. When they tested my mobility on a scale of 1-100 I was a 12 Anything less then 20 is considered non-functioning.
The positive is I was "fixed in less then 2 weeks weeks. All told I was 20 sessions & $5000 in the hole BUT my back is well on the way to recovery. I am still very tender 3 months later. I am doing excercises to build up the strength in my core but I am a million times better.
I can't lift or do ay of those things for another 3-4 months. I won't risk playing baseball or hockey anymore - but they'll have to put a bullet in my head to stop me from riding.
I traded in my Deuce for a Street Glide & I'm pretty sure it'll help a tonne (metric for ton
)
If you fella's haven't looked into Spinal decompression I'd say at least go talk to someone it made a world of difference for me.
I had severe compression of L4,L5 & S1 - I couldn't stand for more then a minute or two with being in terrible pain. I slept on the floor in our basement for almost 3 months. when I traveled I was on the floor of my motel room & I needed a wheel chair to get to & from the gate. I had 3 MRI's in less then 12 months & my Dr. arranged for one in 48 hours, which in Canada is unheard of unless you play for the Toronto Maple Leafs!
I was up to 5-6 tylenal 4 with 60 mg's of codeine every day & there was no sleeping unless I was completely wacked.
I was given 2 options, the first was surgery - but there was a 10-12 month wait for that. The second was Spinal Decompression Therapy, in Canada I went to the low back clinic. When they tested my mobility on a scale of 1-100 I was a 12 Anything less then 20 is considered non-functioning.
The positive is I was "fixed in less then 2 weeks weeks. All told I was 20 sessions & $5000 in the hole BUT my back is well on the way to recovery. I am still very tender 3 months later. I am doing excercises to build up the strength in my core but I am a million times better.
I can't lift or do ay of those things for another 3-4 months. I won't risk playing baseball or hockey anymore - but they'll have to put a bullet in my head to stop me from riding.
I traded in my Deuce for a Street Glide & I'm pretty sure it'll help a tonne (metric for ton
)If you fella's haven't looked into Spinal decompression I'd say at least go talk to someone it made a world of difference for me.
Last edited by raafter; Mar 22, 2010 at 05:13 PM.
Cruiser
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 247
Likes: 1
From: Ocala, FL
I have had wiring and fusion on C1,2,3, in my neck and disc surgery. My brother is a neurosurgeon and the best piece of advice he would give you is : DON'T RUSH THE RECUPERATION". Take your time and let nature take its pace.
My best wishes for successful surgery and a complete recovery.
My best wishes for successful surgery and a complete recovery.
Road Master
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,181
Likes: 7
From: tomball tx
had back surgery many years ago and neck fusion about a year ago. the main thing is do what the doctors tell you, take your time and "get up to speed" before riding, and be careful about the scar tissue. the scar tissue gave me more trouble than the surgery, but in the long run it was worth it...hang in there, stay positive, and GOD bless....
Cruiser
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 146
Likes: 5
From: Oklahoma
I've had a herniated disc (L5) for many years. I've tried the rehab and taken Loritabs & lastly... Morphine until I swear I'm immune to it. Got tired of the pills so I quit them.... now I'm in pain constantly.
I had an MRI in December and x-rays taken today, I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon tomorrow morning and I'm sure surgery will be next. I couldn't ride more than 30 minutes on a bike until I bought mt street glide, now I can ride for an hour to an hour and a half before I really hurt. I just hope I'm not down for a long time since riding season is almost here.....
I had an MRI in December and x-rays taken today, I have an appointment with a neurosurgeon tomorrow morning and I'm sure surgery will be next. I couldn't ride more than 30 minutes on a bike until I bought mt street glide, now I can ride for an hour to an hour and a half before I really hurt. I just hope I'm not down for a long time since riding season is almost here.....
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Cruiser
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 217
Likes: 1
From: Seale, Alabama
I still wasn't able to ride 1 1/2 years after my surgery. Ended up selling the bike (FXSTC) and thought my riding days after 32 years of riding were over. 7 years later my wife decided I needed another bike so together we went down and picked out a new FLHTK. Life is good again. Hope it all works out for you too.
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