I Just read your post about the hardware removal.
I had the same fusion surgery as you did and I was wondering how long did your rehab last? When were you able to get back into the things you liked doing? Do you play golf or other sports? If so, when did you go back to doing them.
I am now just about 3 weeks post op and so far I can say that the surgery was a good idea and is working. I can walk without leg pain, but am being very careful as to not over do it.
Thanks for any info.
ALEX

Hi Aroberts http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif

It has not been an easy road the past year and I am just now begin doing the things I used to do prior to the fusion. Everybody on this board has different times when they were able to get back to normal with some just being a few weeks post-op and some have been a few years and still not better. I will explain my recovery time to you.

After 6 weeks, I was able to return to work (desk job) and beginning the 6th week I began pt. I had pt for 2 months and began exercising and swimming at a health club after 4 months. At first I thought I was doing pretty well with the exercises and mainly concentrated on stationary bicycles; treadmill; upper body weight machines (no lower body); and swimming. After about the 6th month, I noticed my exercises were beginning to be less and less with more pain and swelling (especially when swimming). There were times I thought I would not be able to make back to my car after exercising. I went back to my ortho and after about a month of convincing him I had a hardware problem, I had the right side hardware removed. This was the end of March and immediately after the hardware removed, I noticed a dramatic improvement. The ortho wanted me to wait atleast 2 weeks before I began exercising again to allow for the incision to heal but I developed pnuemonia from the anesthesia. This kept me down for about a monnth so I am now have to restart my exercise program from the beginning becasue I have to get the back muscles strengthen again.

The thing is you need to start slow and be careful of the exercises and sports you perform so you will not overdue your back. They say it takes about 1 year for the fusion to mature. I have not played golf yet becasue of just not having the time due to catching up all the things around the house I have missed during the past year. I hope to begin in the fall when it is cooler.

I hope this information helps you and will be glad to answer any additional questions.

I hope you have a great weekend http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

Note: I have to leave tomorrow to go on a business trip to Mexico so I apologize if I am unable to answer you in the next few days.


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Spondylolisthesis - level 2 L5/S1
Pars Defect
End Plate Separation
2 Nerve Root Blocks (no effect)
L5/S1 Posterior Fusion with hardware (no BAK cages due to lack of disk space) 08/02
Right side hardware removed due to loose screw and rod rubbing against facet joint - 03/03
Can now say I am better than prior to the fusion!!!!

L5S1
Thanks for the fast response. That does give me a good diea of how things could go. I expected anywhere from 7-10 months before golf again, so I want be to disapointed if I can't play till then.
Good luck on your trip and again thanks.
Alex

Hi Aroberts:

You might try going to the driving range first to hit a few practice balls first and see how your back responds. The bad thing about golf is the twisting motion on you back.

Good Luck and let me know how you do!!! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/t_up.gif

L5S1
Good idea.......... I am going to talk to the pt person and let them know that I play and see if they can help out with the swing. Don't want to give it up. Love the game and was pretty good at it till all this.
Alex