Activity after fusion

[jaydar]

You all know a bit about my situation.I'm to be getting a 3 level 360 fusion soon I hope.4 years of an inactive life have taken it's toll on my health in general and I am chomping at the bit to experience life again.
Some of the things I'm hoping to be able to do again are walking disances,ridiing bicycle,motorcycle,golf,fishing...genera l house maintenance chores and of course.....sex.My male anatomy has not been working well since injury so I'm hoping I can achieve these goals.
Just wondering if my sights are too lofty or are there many of you that have been able to return to these activities.
Also....how much risk is there to injury to the disc above the fusion?

[caszyman]

Jaydar,
My daughter had a two level fusion at 16 with laminectomy and discectomy. She had a TLIF, not the 360 as you are having.

She's 14 months post op and has returned to most activities again. At two months she was walking about three miles. At six months her dr let her begin ice skating cautiously and allowed her to ride the snowmobile - no jumping or hills. She rode on the lake a couple of times. She began bowling around 9 months. At 12 months he pretty much released her to do most recreational activities. Just a few weeks ago he approved of letting her join the high school tennis team. She has not felt any pain. The one restriction he left on her was to "try to wait until next year for water skiing again." I told her that she was waiting because there would be no boat that would pull her this year.

I can't answer you about golf because she hates it, even though she works at a country club. Her dr told us there was risk that the disc above could go later in life for her. He didn't say anything about at the time of fusion. He's hoping she can get 20 or more good years in.

I know children heal differently and quicker than adults. I am forever telling her dr that I am amazed at the difference this has made in her life. He just smiles at me and tells me that's how we know it was successful. From reading these boards I do know that this is not true for all fusion patients. This is just where she is now in her life. He wanted to do the surgery one year earlier, but I cancelled. I know he was right now.

Best wishes. I hope this resolves your problems and makes a difference in your life. cas