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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 499
 
Location: ARKANSAS | Has anyone EVER had spinal fusion, then recovered and gone onto to run barrels again?? I am talking to everyone but more especially to the older generation ( i am 58)....i have had 2 back surgeries this year trying to get a shattered disc at L-4/L-5 cleaned up..last one being august 13th...my dr told me yesterday that i may possibly have to have a fusion done to stabilize the weak disc. This whole mess started a year ago and i am DYING to get back on my horses!!!!!! i dont want yet ANOTHER surgery!!! but if it meant no more pain and when i was well i could ride again, i would call my dr tomorrow...however, this is very possibly a LIFE CHANGING decision i will have to pray long and hard about in this next month before i go back to the dr..i just would like to know if anyone has been in my shoes and the outcome good or bad...thanks!!! |
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Expert
Posts: 1207
| My X had a spinal fusion, but he was probably in his late 30's early 40's. His came out OK and he went back to riding and roping. He had trouble later when he turned 60 put not bad. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 725
| I am 63 years old and have gone thru two spinal fusions, one cervical and one lumbar. I certainly dont see any reason why you coulld not start back riding after everything is healed properly. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 499
Location: ARKANSAS | Thanks for your reply, up till all this happened, i was still VERY ACTIVE, and i am NOT ready to hang up my spurs yet. i live on a farm and i have 3 horses, one retired, but one just loping the pattern and the other was moving up through the d's without being pushed...all have been on vacation since all this has happened, however i did get to ride my young ones just walking them and keeping them handling between surgeries, but now they are on vacation while i recoop from this last one. |
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Go Get Em!
Posts: 13503
 
Location: OH. IO | Ive had three fusions,one lumbar,two cervicle. I will say that you must remember,the weakest part of a fusion,becomes the top and botton part of the fusion,which means it will weaken the disks eventually above or below the disks fused.I was very active as well,now im struggling to stay active and be able to keep working the job I love. Just something to think about. I HAD to have my fusions,and im glad i did,but an injured back or neck,should make you think of yourself and wellbeing just FOR YOU as well. |
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Regular
Posts: 54
| I know everyone's case is different but, thought I'd pass along our experience.
My husband has had a spinal fusion at L4/L5.
He thought it would take away the chronic pain. The surgery was considered a success in medical terms, because it stabilized the weakness in his legs. But, it did not take away his pain, he still has chronic pain.
After the fact, when he was still in significant pain, upon asking the doctor, he said the fusion is not designed to negate pain, but rather to stabilize the weakness so he would not lose function.
Of course, we were both devastated. He thought he'd be normal again.
I would be very blunt with your doctor and clarify if he thinks this is going to help w/ the pain.
My hubby was 34 when he had it done 13 yrs ago. . He has since found out he does have AS and degenerative disk disease which is why he was susceptible to injuries of the spine to begin with, and I am sure that makes a big difference as well vs someone that had a blunt force injury. He used to trail ride w/ me but would never risk getting on a horse again, no matter how safe or trained the horse is. He also gave up other things... his is fairly advanced.
Good luck in your decision. I know it's not easy!
Edited by bosberg 2015-09-03 9:03 AM
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Member
Posts: 30
| My husband had a 2 level fusion L4/L5, L5/S1. His pain has eased but he has to be very careful doing the things that were once easy for him. If he does to much he still gets the cramping in his calf muscle. He has ridden twice since his surgery in 2013. He just made the decision and sold his head horse. In his eyes it just wasn't worth the risk. He was 40 at the time of his surgery. Like others have said they told him that the disc above will now take all the impact. Best of luck to you. |
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 Veteran
Posts: 274
| If I was to have a spinal fusion I would only let the surgeon use autograft (tissue and bone substance from my own body). I would never let them fuse with BMP or any other biogenetic protein.
I work in an industry in which I speak with people every day and read medical records by the thousands. I do numerous hours of research a week on different products.
Needless to say, I have seen people be better than they were before a fusion. However, 90% that used a foreign product may have been ok for a short time after surgery, yet where 50% worse down the road. |
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Elite Veteran
Posts: 705
Location: Weatherford, TX | I have had two spinal fusions both on the C5/6...one front, one back over 3 years. The first one (front) wasn't done right and I wasted 2 years thinking I had nerve damage and it needed to heal. I just had the second fusion done from the back 6 weeks ago and they also relieved a pinched nerve in the same area. I also agree about using the bone graft from your body. They did that in the most recent surgery and I think it's accepted better. My surgeon has been fantastic and operates on rodeo/football players....so I think he can probably fix me. LOL He said I will barrel race again...and I believe him the way I feel right now. |
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Extreme Veteran
Posts: 499
Location: ARKANSAS | when i went to the dr last tuesday, he specified if i wore my back brace when i was up moving around, it might help with my back pain and the pain i was having down my left leg. If it helped that would be a sure sign i would need the surgery. wednesday morning, i got up and put it on and it INSTANTLY stopped my pain.. so since then i have been expeirmenting with it. Yep, off there is pain and back the minute i take it off, and no pain when i put it on. He said, if the brace stablized my back it would mean i would for sure need the fusion.. I called yesterday and told them what was has happened since tuesday, i will know more Monday.. or some time next week. i am leaning towards having the surgery, but am scared to death!!! |
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