Good News from Spinal Surgeon

[DavidCBaker]

Spinal surgeon just released me from all restrictions after 9 weeks (3 weeks earlier than normal). He said to "listen to your body," and gave me several PT instructions to rebuild the core around upper spine. Pain is greater under tension or bad posture, so working on that first. Been back to the range multiple times, but will wait for racquetball and motorcycling for now. I'm a lucky and grateful fellow!

[Guest m&pc9]

Glad things are working out. Looks painful from here.

[Guest Arko]

That's awesome! Congratulations, and seriously, DON'T overdo it! If you behave You'll be back on the bike before you know it!

[DavidCBaker]

That's awesome! Congratulations, and seriously, DON'T overdo it! If you behave You'll be back on the bike before you know it!

Sounds like my wife! You're both right, of course.

[Guest Arko]

Sounds like my wife! You're both right, of course.

Just the voice of experience. There were a few times I tried to tough things out, instead of just giving in, and it wasn't worth it in the long term!

That's some serious hardware. Is it permanent?

[DavidCBaker]

It is permanent, yes. A 2.5" titanium plate, six screws, and two bone grafts.

[Guest Arko]

It is permanent, yes. A 2.5" titanium plate, six screws, and two bone grafts.

That's what I figured, though you can't see the grafts in xray.

Good luck man, and seriously take care. No complications!

[Guest se-real]

I actually used to machine spinal implants. We made those screws too! Glad to know your released, good luck!

[Guest theoldguy]

Looks like L4-L5 and S1..I had that about 9 years ago..just take it easy and YOU will know when you are over doing it..After surgery..I don't hurt nothing like I did..but I hurst all the time some...Worse thing is it looks like the crack of your butt goes up your back

[DavidCBaker]

Thanks! It was a double fusion: C5/6 and C 6/7.

[ShaunM]

Thanks! It was a double fusion: C5/6 and C 6/7.

Ouch!!! Glad you are doing good. I had back surgery a while back to fix a couple of disk and a torn muscle but they didn't have fuse anything. You take it easy and don't over do yourself.

[strickj]

I broke mine about 3 years ago at T10 so l know that pain!

One of the worst parts for me was having to wear that damn turtle shell of a back brace

[DavidCBaker]

Thankfully I just had to wear the neck brace, which is a lot easier than what you had to wear!

[Guest boudreaux]

Congrats on the surgery and take the PT very seriously. That will make a BIG difference. Good luck with the recovery.

PS. Wait a while before you try to play Twister. OUCH!!

[BimmerFreak]

My wife just had C5/6 done.

She has partial fusion now, and should start PT in the next 30 days.

Good luck with your recovery.

[cybernorris]

Dude... how's this going for you now? Keep up the PT... even if just on your own.

I had a burst fracture of T9 and compression fractures of C3 & C5 from a helicopter crash in 1990. Two harrington rods held me together while the bone grafts fused. I insisted they come out a year later.

I hurt in some fashion every day... some worse than others.

[DavidCBaker]

I'm doing pretty well, all things considered. I was still on some pain meds not too long ago. Just one pill late in the day, but I decided that they weren't helping that much and I could feel how easy it was to stay on 'em. So I quite the next day, 5 weeks ago.

I don't have any pain to speak of--just some tightness, which I can't figure out. I'm doing a lot of core strengthening and playing racquetball three times a week, so I'd say I'm a pretty darn lucky guy.

[Guest tnmale46]

congrats and take care

[Guest tedbo]

I broke mine about 3 years ago at T10 so l know that pain!

One of the worst parts for me was having to wear that damn turtle shell of a back brace

Looks like we had the same timeframe.

I hated the ninja turtle suit as it was a bit hot outside and I couldn't hang out for very long before doing the lobster steamfest.

How are you fairing now?

David, I am truly glad for you as there are more here than I ever thought who have had back issues.

Racquetball,huh?

Cool!!! I am glad you are doing as well as you are. Keep it up!

[cybernorris]

I got my turtle shell in July 1990 in Shreveport, LA ... yup it was hot, but without it I wouldn't be walking. I sorta had to relearn walking and had almost no stamina for a couple of months.

I met my wife while still in that shell... she figured it was pretty safe to be with me in that condition.