ACDF- When Can I get back to Sports? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

jeffdoh · 05-09-2004, 11:44 PM

My surgeon has been MIA since surgery and its frustrating bec I need some advice as to when I can get back to playing softball, racquetball, blading and biking (and eventually skiing). I am 4 months post-op and still haven't done any PT yet but hope to start this week. I had ACDF C5-C6, what have you guys heard/experienced re: return to sports such as softball and basketball. I still have some really tough days and some really good days. Which worries me, and i also definitely still have limited range of neck motion. So i cant imagine im ready to play ball, despite that my Dr. originally said I could play after 4 months. I dont feel right quite yet, but will i ever? even if i dont ""feel" right, and i in any danger of damaging my injury or healing process further by playing softball at this point yet?
Thanks!

X-man · 05-10-2004, 07:06 AM

I was told to give it 3 mos. recovery prior to resuming complete regular activity with no restrictions, including golf and other sports, but you'd be best off getting that OK'd by your Dr. too. Is there a nurse-practitioner or someone else in their office that could respond to your questions? I can't believe how many folks on this board are frustrated by the lack of willing communication coming from their Drs when they just have a few simple (but important) questions. MAN, I was under the impression the patient came first! If I treated my customers the way they seem to, I'd be out of business!!

Craner · 05-13-2004, 07:45 AM

I had the same surgery ACDF C 5-6 as a result of a car accident. At that time I was 25 and playing competitive hockey. I stayed away from sports for about 10 months. By that time I was feeling fine and thought about a return to hockey. I began slowly, I started skating recreationally, playing softball, golfing and light workouts. I was feeling fine and thought everything was O.K. During a recreational skate, I fell innocently to the ice and everything went numb, just like I felt before the surgery. I went to see my NS again. MRI revealed that the disc below the fusion was now buldged and was putting pressure on my spinal cord. After doing some research, I learned that this is fairly common since the surrounding discs have more pressure on them. Subsequently I had a lamenectomy done to widen the spinal column because NS didn't want to do another fusion. Now the only thing I do is golf. I'm not sure if this resulted from my participation is sports or if it would have happened anyway. I'd like to think it would have happened anyway. Good Luck.