My back surgery...

[The Chairman]

Hi Pete,
I came to SCUBA Board to see if I could get any info on lumbar fusions.
I hope yours went well. I'm new here so I'll look around and see if you posted any updates.
I too after going the laminectomy route need to have fusions at L4-5 and L5-S1.
If you don't mind, I'd like to ask a few questions if I could.
Thanks
Steve Volberding
Chicago

Fire away Steve. The surgery has been nothing short of life changing, and that in a good way. So good that I'm becoming an instructor again. After my leg break, I had never healed to where I felt I could rescue a student. I wasn't going to put us in that predicament, so I let my certs slide. Now, with my bionic back, I could save a manatee if needed.

I'll agree with you. I've been red for so long, I assumed...

And that has been much appreciated!

 

[SteveVolberding]

Fire away Steve. The surgery has been nothing short of life changing, and that in a good way. So good that I'm becoming an instructor again. After my leg break, I had never healed to where I felt I could rescue a student. I wasn't going to put us in that predicament, so I let my certs slide. Now, with my bionic back, I could save a manatee if needed.

And that has been much appreciated!

Boy did you just change my outlook!
I glad to hear everything went so well.
I've been dealing with this for years and had a really bad experience with a "minimally invasive" procedure last year. One of the reasons I've put off any extensive surgery is the fear of not being able to dive again.
I've been a recreational diver since '98 and started diving wrecks in Lake Michigan in '11 just to get under water more. I tried going through the Divemaster program before COVID, and I also wasn't able to physically do it with my back.
It sounds like your recovery was a challenge to say the least but worth it.
I have no disc left at L5-S1 and L-4-L5 isn't looking good.
My surgeon wants to do fusions at both using the "ALIF" procedure where they go in through your abdomen.
I'm not s much worried about the post op pain and rehab as much as I am about mobility and durability afterwards.
I guess my 2 main concerns are:

1) How much mobility and flexibility do you have now? Are you able to don your gear by yourself?

2) Do you feel the fusions are pretty strong and stable? My doc says once they are healed they are but I've got it in my head that I' going to sneeze and break one.

Thanks for your help. I really appreciate it.

 

[The Chairman]

the fear of not being able to dive again.

My big fear, and you can read more about it in this thread, was when I had an embolism. THAT was the only thing that could have screwed my diving up. I took the Eliquis, exercised as much as possible, and now my lungs are completely clear.

 

[The Chairman]

1) How much mobility and flexibility do you have now? Are you able to don your gear by yourself?

I don't have the flexibility I had when I was 30, but I can bend over and pick things up from the ground with only a grunt or two. Putting on the gear is a cinch and it's getting easier as I get stronger. My right leg has taken the longest to heal. It's at only 75% of what it was, but it's improving. Climbing stairs is slow, and I like a handrail.

2) Do you feel the fusions are pretty strong and stable? My doc says once they are healed they are but I've got it in my head that I' going to sneeze and break one.

My back feels bionic. Sure, it tires a bit more quickly than my younger self, but that improves almost daily. I really feel it if I sit too long. My new motto is "GET OFF THE COUCH!" Which is something I need to do now. The shop calleth! I do a lot of walking and swimming.

My surgeon wants to do fusions at both using the "ALIF" procedure where they go in through your abdomen.

I wish they had done this. Cutting that muscle along my spine to insert the wedges has been the worst part. I really feel it.

 

[tekkydiver]

Hi Pete,
I came to SCUBA Board to see if I could get any info on lumbar fusions....

Thanks
Steve Volberding
Chicago

Am I missing something? While I might come to SCUBA for information relating to diving.... I would never consider it a place seeking information about spinal surgery. Outcomes can not be solely based on one specific case. There are many factors that contribute to a patients recovery or lack thereof.... not to mention the complications which can vary from patient to patient.

If I were looking for information, my first step would be seeking out Hospital education departments, many arrange local seminars where MD's will speak on topic.

Best wishes....

 

[The Chairman]

If I were looking for information,

Meh, we are multidimensional.

There are lots of horror stories out there about someone's uncle or friend of a friend. It's good to hear from someone who went through the process and is willing to share.

 

[Cert1967]

Meh, we are multidimensional.

There are lots of horror stories out there about someone's uncle or friend of a friend. It's good to hear from someone who went through the process and is willing to share.

spinal-stenosis-treatment-2 – Premia Spine

lp.premiaspine.com

 

[The Chairman]

spinal-stenosis-treatment-2 – Premia Spine

lp.premiaspine.com

Thanks, but I feel like I can move just fine.

 

[Cert1967]

Thanks, but I feel like I can move just fine.

Like you say

spinal-stenosis-treatment-2 – Premia Spine

lp.premiaspine.com

It was intended as multi demensional and someone else might be interested

Just addin to the conversation

 

[The Chairman]

Like you say

I just found the part where they claim fusion really hurts your mobility to not be true. It's a sales pitch. They don't have to appeal to fear to sell something.

I don't think there is one perfect way to be healed of back problems. Find a doctor you trust and a cure you can live with. I'm certainly glad I did. Just today, I was rolling on the floor fixing my zero turn. Nope, I'm clearly not 40, but I can get down and up again.