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twisting limitations with full fusion.

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  • #16
    Thanks for the photos Ed. Even with a shorter fusion than you, I can't twist quite that far. Probably a little arthritis in the rest of my spine. That foam pack probably wouldn't help me if I landed on my bum (polite term for ass).

    Sally
    Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
    Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
    Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
    Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
    New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
    Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

    "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

    Comment


    • #17
      Debbe

      You know when I went through PT on my arm, I realized that all the "arm" exercises and motions helped considerably. They have the "arm bikes" ? I don’t know what you call them, but you know, the ones that you pedal with your arms. It was also great for cardio, without killing the back.

      Im sure skiing helped me out. Most would think that skiing would exercise the legs more, but it is also an upper body workout. When the cross country skiers in the Olympics "drop" after crossing the line, that’s tired! I have done an incredible amount of "pole work" in my lifetime.

      Maybe that has something to do with it.

      Sally,

      Looks like you need to switch sports. If you specialized in insanely high jumps like Julian Carr, you could land them on your back. LOL

      I am amazed that these guys are going so high lately. I did my share of 50 footers, but these guys are nuts at 200 plus feet. I did trigger my sciatica doing jumps years ago. From that point on, it’s a long long story......This bird has his wings clipped.
      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #18
        Ed,

        yes I did the Arm Bike at my PT for both my back and my frozen shoulder. It was great. I think what has helped my shoulder/arm mobility even more lately is my zumba classes. I can do things there that I never thought possible. Yes--even me fused from T3 down can do a decent shimmy. You're absolutely right when you mention that just because our spines aren't fused we can't have great range of motion with the upper back and shoulders. In the beginning (after surgery but before PT), I thought it was all connected up there and I was pretty much imobilized. Boy did I learn a thing or two. It just goes to show how much our bodies compensate.

        I had to LOL at the 'Pole Work' comment. Ed--I never would have guessed.
        __________________________________________
        Debbe - 50 yrs old

        Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
        Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

        Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
        Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
        Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

        Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
        Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

        Comment


        • #19
          Amazing how well you can twist. Thanks for sharing.

          Comment


          • #20
            I went skiing yesterday, and I don’t want to say exactly how hard I've been skiing, but I'm keeping up with the boys....please don’t ask who the boys are.

            I just cannot believe how well this has turned out for me.

            There is a lot to be thankful for...
            Happy Easter.
            Ed
            49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
            Pre surgery curves T70,L70
            ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
            Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

            Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

            My x-rays
            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

            http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

            Comment


            • #21
              Thanks! It takes the SCARE out of surgery for a lot of us, I'm sure.
              Be happy!
              We don't know what tomorrow brings,
              but we are alive today!

              Comment


              • #22
                Gives me hope

                Ed,
                Your pictures give me hope that I still might be able to have a decent golf swing following surgery. My surgery is scheduled for Nov. 1. I will be fused from T-4 to the sacrum. Every day I play golf now, I think about how much twisting and stress on the spine there is. Thanks for posting the pictures.
                Karen
                Karen

                Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                Rib Hump-GONE!
                Age-60 at the time of surgery
                Now 66
                Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                See photobucket link for:
                Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                Comment


                • #23
                  Hi Karen

                  Welcome to the forum.

                  You should be able to play golf. Driving a ball to the moon will not happen. I could play baseball, but I wouldn’t be able to hit one out of the park. I don’t think I would have any other issues with the rest of the game.

                  Adaptability is key in scoliosis surgery. In the beginning, certain things can be trying, but after some time passes, things get easier. I was hitting my head every single time getting into my car for a month, till I finally perfected the motion. I grew 4 inches, from my waist up, and had to lower the seat in my car a little.

                  With my skiing, I had to adapt and adjust. That’s expected. You will do the same with your golf game....

                  How bad are your curves?
                  Ed
                  49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
                  Pre surgery curves T70,L70
                  ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
                  Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

                  Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

                  My x-rays
                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

                  Comment


                  • #24
                    Thanks for the information

                    Ed,
                    I'm sure I'll have to make some swing changes. Next summer, I'll only be chipping and putting, so maybe my short game will improve and compensate for less distance off the tee the following season. My scoliosis doesn't cause me much pain or inhibit my golf, aerobic classes, tap dancing, bike riding, etc. now, but Dr. Lenke said my prognosis would not be good if I don't have the surgery. My curve was about 45 degrees in high school but has progressed to 77 degrees. I know surgery is the right choice, but I dread the thought of not being independent during recovery and knowing that some things won't be the same afterwards. I know if I continue to post on the forum, I need to be brief. Sorry this is so long. I enjoy reading about your skiing and everything you CAN do. I know I need to quit worrying over things I can't change and to think positive.
                    Thanks,
                    Karen
                    Karen

                    Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                    Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                    70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                    Rib Hump-GONE!
                    Age-60 at the time of surgery
                    Now 66
                    Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                    Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                    See photobucket link for:
                    Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                    Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                    tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                    http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                    Comment


                    • #25
                      Hi Karen,

                      Glad you joined!

                      I am also considering surgery, but haven't scheduled a date yet. Saw Dr. Boachie in NYC a couple times and really liked him, but he does not take insurance so I may need to shop around. I'll figure it out over time. From all I have heard, Dr.Lenke is a great doctor, so you are good to go there. I know what you mean about worrying about future sporting capability, but from all I have read, that seems to evolve into a satisfying outcome over time for most of the post-surgical people here. I was just waking up this morning to stressed-out thoughts of what you mentioned- losing the independence post-surgically. Don't know why that bothers me so much but it does. I guess there would be life lessons in that realm as well.

                      No need to be brief on this forum if you have "stuff" to get out. This is the place to vent and ponder and question. So let it fly when you need to!

                      Looking forward to hearing from you...
                      Amy
                      Amy
                      58 yrs old, diagnosed at 31, never braced
                      Measured T-64, L-65 in 2009
                      Measured T-57, L-56 in 2010, different doc
                      2 lumbar levels spondylolisthesis
                      Exercising to correct

                      Comment


                      • #26
                        Twisting limitations

                        Hi, Amy,
                        Thank you for the reply. Dr. Lenke's office is about 30 miles from Waterloo so I feel extremely lucky. I have read on this forum about people from other states researching surgeons and choosing Dr. Lenke.
                        I know this is silly, but I have two miniature schnauzers that I totally take care of with several walks daily, their baths, medicines, vet trips, etc. My sweet husband says not to worry, but I do. Thank goodness we have a fenced in backyard. I will hate not being able to pick them up. I know I will just have to focus on recovering one step at a time and keep in mind that limitations, for the most part, are not permanent. I know one thing, I'm going to enjoy my summer and play golf, tap dancing at the Y, walking my dogs, & riding my bike.
                        What degree curve do you have? I can't imagine a Dr. not taking insurance. I look forward to hearing from you. Good luck in your search. I think you have to have total confidence in your surgeon because it's a big decision.
                        Thanks,
                        Karen
                        Karen

                        Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                        Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                        70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                        Rib Hump-GONE!
                        Age-60 at the time of surgery
                        Now 66
                        Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                        Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                        See photobucket link for:
                        Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                        Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                        tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                        http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                        Comment


                        • #27
                          Karen,
                          My dog was my best recovery buddy! She seemed to like having someone home all the time as well since my parents work all day. We took plenty of naps together! Heres a photo from ~3 weeks post op! Having a dog around also motivated me to walk more. She pulls the leash like crazy so I didnt walk her at first but I could at least go out and walk with whoever was walking her.
                          Sarah
                          22 year old grad student
                          Boston brace from 12-14
                          surgery on June 1, 2009 T3 to L2
                          Yale New Haven Hospital Dr. Grauer
                          Thoracic curve 47*
                          Thoracolumbar curve 54*

                          Surgery Photos
                          http://www.facebook.com/album.php?ai...8&l=a2a5799140

                          Comment


                          • #28
                            Sarah105 - that is such an adorable cute photo - I LOVE that picture. Dogs are my favorite animals and they are so lovable and compassionate and always happy, and look how comforting your dog was for you . Us humans could learn a lot from the canine race!
                            Lynette - 44 years old.

                            Pre-surgery thoracic 55 degrees
                            Pre-surgery lumbar 85 degrees

                            Post-surgery thoracic 19 degrees
                            Post-surgery lumbar 27 degrees

                            Surgery April 1st 2010.

                            Posterior spinal fusion from T9 to sacrum.
                            Dr. Cronen at University Community Hospital - Tampa, FL.

                            Comment


                            • #29
                              Sarah,
                              Thanks for posting the picture of you and your dog. I also viewed your pictures from the hospital. Although I'm not looking forward to surgery and the tough recovery, I am looking forward to having a straight back!
                              Karen
                              Karen

                              Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                              Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                              70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                              Rib Hump-GONE!
                              Age-60 at the time of surgery
                              Now 66
                              Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                              Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                              See photobucket link for:
                              Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                              Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                              tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                              http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                              Comment


                              • #30
                                I have a 4-year-old German Shepherd, "Max", at home and I have to tell you once I came home and saw him I was instantly feeling much better. He would lay on the floor right beside me. He would repeatedly come by me when I would sit in my chair and place his head on my arm as if to say, "I know you don't feel good!" How do they understand? But, yes, I, too, just love Dogs!!!!!
                                Rita Thompson
                                Age 46
                                Milwaukee Brace wearer for 3 years in childhood
                                Surgery Mar 1st - 95 degree thoracic curve
                                Surgery by Dr. Lenke, St. Louis, MO
                                Post-surgery curve 25-30 degree

                                Comment

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