Hello all,
I haven't been on here for quite awhile but think it is important to check back in and let those of you facing your surgery or, recovering from one, know how a few years out might look for you.
I was 49* lumbar curve now fused from T10 to L4. My surgery was 8 hours, I was in the hospital for 8 days and am now corrected to 8* (Wonder what my lucky # should be?)
The only sport I have given up is water skiing, I still snow ski and scuba dive. I was not sure the first 2 years about rollerblading again but as time has passed I don't worry at all about falling I just haven't gone yet. I don't care for riding in a fast boat or on jet skiis as the pounding on the waves is a bit uncomfortable and I pay the next day with a sore back. I never was a runner so I don't miss that. It too is a bit uncomfortable and is a weird feeling when I do.
I have been back at the gym since I was done with PT. I have found I MUST go to the gym at least 1X a week to keep my back muscles from getting tight. 2X and I have no problems. My lower back muscles tighten up and get uncomfortable when I am slack and don't go. This is actually a good thing as it keeps me in shape. I have over the years not gone to the gym while sick or just being lazy and then my back just gets too tight to loosen up myself. I then go to my friend who is a massage therapist and all is well again. This only happens after I have missed a few weeks.
I am still wearing my high heels. This floors the scoliosis support group I attend~ Heh heh! I go dancing about every 2 months with the girls, in my heels for 5-6 hours. My feet give out before my back.
I had trouble initally putting on tights and my knee high boots because I was trying to do it the way I did before my fusion. I can do it now that I have figured out a different way. I still polish my own toes, the key is to keep your hamstrings flexable. As I get older it will be my eyes that keep me from doing this not my back! (I am 48)
I do not lift the amount of weight (Like boxes of stuff.) I use to, nor move furniture around without sliders under it. At the gym I do no excersize that puts weight stress on my spine. I vaccume by following it forward then walking back not pushing/pulling while standing in one spot, then another spot, like most do.
I realise as some of you read this you might think because my fusion is shorter then most, that you won't have great results. Wrong. I have freinds with the same fusion as I as well as their whole back fused and they too are doing great. I can not stress to you enough the power of positive thinking. That seems to be the one common factor all with a great out come have. Unfortunately I have a few friends who are having troubles post op but that isn't the norm.
I hope this post helps some of you who might be on the fence as to go forward with your surgery or wait. Before my surgery I was only able to function 3-4 hours a day, now I have to make myself slow down. I would do the whole thing all over again if I had to.
Best wishes, Suzy
I haven't been on here for quite awhile but think it is important to check back in and let those of you facing your surgery or, recovering from one, know how a few years out might look for you.
I was 49* lumbar curve now fused from T10 to L4. My surgery was 8 hours, I was in the hospital for 8 days and am now corrected to 8* (Wonder what my lucky # should be?)
The only sport I have given up is water skiing, I still snow ski and scuba dive. I was not sure the first 2 years about rollerblading again but as time has passed I don't worry at all about falling I just haven't gone yet. I don't care for riding in a fast boat or on jet skiis as the pounding on the waves is a bit uncomfortable and I pay the next day with a sore back. I never was a runner so I don't miss that. It too is a bit uncomfortable and is a weird feeling when I do.
I have been back at the gym since I was done with PT. I have found I MUST go to the gym at least 1X a week to keep my back muscles from getting tight. 2X and I have no problems. My lower back muscles tighten up and get uncomfortable when I am slack and don't go. This is actually a good thing as it keeps me in shape. I have over the years not gone to the gym while sick or just being lazy and then my back just gets too tight to loosen up myself. I then go to my friend who is a massage therapist and all is well again. This only happens after I have missed a few weeks.
I am still wearing my high heels. This floors the scoliosis support group I attend~ Heh heh! I go dancing about every 2 months with the girls, in my heels for 5-6 hours. My feet give out before my back.
I had trouble initally putting on tights and my knee high boots because I was trying to do it the way I did before my fusion. I can do it now that I have figured out a different way. I still polish my own toes, the key is to keep your hamstrings flexable. As I get older it will be my eyes that keep me from doing this not my back! (I am 48)
I do not lift the amount of weight (Like boxes of stuff.) I use to, nor move furniture around without sliders under it. At the gym I do no excersize that puts weight stress on my spine. I vaccume by following it forward then walking back not pushing/pulling while standing in one spot, then another spot, like most do.
I realise as some of you read this you might think because my fusion is shorter then most, that you won't have great results. Wrong. I have freinds with the same fusion as I as well as their whole back fused and they too are doing great. I can not stress to you enough the power of positive thinking. That seems to be the one common factor all with a great out come have. Unfortunately I have a few friends who are having troubles post op but that isn't the norm.
I hope this post helps some of you who might be on the fence as to go forward with your surgery or wait. Before my surgery I was only able to function 3-4 hours a day, now I have to make myself slow down. I would do the whole thing all over again if I had to.
Best wishes, Suzy
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