Spinal Fusion

[Sko0terMan 0]

Hey guys im new to the site and was wondering if anyone on here has a spinal fusion or knows anyone who has one and still plays. As it turns out earlier this year i got checked hard in front of the net and ended up screwing my lower back pretty pad. Mri showed one bulged disc and one herniated disc(thats what the dr told me). After months of therapy(physical to chiropractic therapy) I was not getting better so the dr suggested surgery. He said that my L4/L5 need to be fused. My delima is will I still be able to play. I am 29 years old. Im not ready to give up playing.

[Steve_v3 289]

I would get a second opinion. I have talked to plenty of people who were given a diagnosis gone through therapy and/or other treatments only to find out later the diagnosis was wrong.

[ktang 34]

What kind of therapy have you tried?

[Sko0terMan 0]

I have tried physical therapy with two different doctors, the first one wasnt an orthopedic physical therapy dr so i found one that was. It got a little better but still have pain shoot down my legs. I have also tried chiropractic therapy which included decompression therapy( where they pull your legs to release the pressure on the disc).

[wrangler 157]

Didn't Rod Gilbert have a few vertebrae fused, and go back to the NHL?

[RadioGaGa 162]

I thought Max Paxioretty and Gary Roberts both had similar procedures after their neck injuries, no?

[Monty22 833]

I would do some research to locate the best available neurosurgeon and obtain a second opinion. He/she may be able to offer other options . Let the surgeons decide if it's possible to play after the surgery if you go that route. Everyone and every injury is different.

[Sko0terMan 0]

Thanks guys for the advise. I got another neurosurgeons opinion and he told me a few things about my back. He said that I need a lumbar laminectomy. He said that I might end up needing a fusion later on because of the degenerative disc. But said I should only do the fusion if it is the last resort. He also told me that after either surgery that I got I still will be able to play just the healing times would be the difference on when I could start playing again.

[wrangler 157]

You could read Rod Gilbert's book, Goal! My Life on Ice, for one guy's story of playing in the NHL after fusion.

[flyguy1 1]

Don't get surgery, get a second opinion and read Dr. Sarno's mind body connection. You are still young. Back surgery should be done if all other options fail and is only solution. Good luck

[chk hrd 164]

Back surgery has a success rate of 50/50. Alot of has to do on how your body is built; how much space you have between bone and nerve, gaps between disks, etc. I have a 9mm herniated disk at L5-S1 that I got in 1985, a 3mm bulge in L4-L5 and two bulges in my neck. To date I have never had any surgery just good therapy. I am not a fan of you average Chiropracter, mainy are questionable. Fortunately for me I have a close friend who is a good Chiro and works with alot of Orthos. He has kept me walking. If you can find a good one it can be benneficial. Do not let them twist you in any way shape or form to manipulate your back (pop it). This puts way to much stress on it and can do more worse than good.

Fussions can be scary. For some types of fussions they cut you in the front, move you innards out of the way to get to the spine then flip you over and also go in from the back; painful and long rehab. If they need to insert rods it's even uglier.

Try taking a long break and do nothing but stretching and mild exercises. Strengthen your core and loose weight if you need to. Getting cut on should be a last resort. Get a second or even third opinion and don't be afraid to ask questions.

[tareatingrat 4]

My Dad has had two back surgeries and it's prevented him from doing a lot of things, and as he's aged, it's constantly sore and one wrong move can throw everything out for a week.

This was 20+ years ago, to be fair, but I would only do it as an absolute last resort after consulting with many, many doctors.

Back issues seem to run in my family. I don't know all the details, but I do know my uncle went to Germany for an experimental surgery. It hasn't really made everything better, but it has made his issues bearable.

[ktang 34]

I have tried physical therapy with two different doctors, the first one wasnt an orthopedic physical therapy dr so i found one that was. It got a little better but still have pain shoot down my legs. I have also tried chiropractic therapy which included decompression therapy( where they pull your legs to release the pressure on the disc).

Have you been prescribed any back strengthening exercises? And, as others have said, do the fusion as a last resort.

[Sko0terMan 0]

Hey guys thanks for the advise again. I have seen a few doctors now and they pretty much have all told me the same thing. They say that I have severe stenosis and need to have them do the laminectomy to relieve pressure caused by the bulged disc.

[geshnyc 3]

Skooter - I had a Micro Discectomy Done on my L5/S1 about 5 years ago.. I was 24/25 then and the pain got to a point where I was technically paralyzed ( foot leg numb, constant back pain, depression, overall emotional shitcake) it sucked really bad. Post surgery - you feel awesome! I was up and about day one, running after a week. You need a solid Orthopedic Surgeon. No Chiros! They should not temper with you. If the pain is super bad and you need time to decide get an epidural, but do decide on a course and do so asap. The older the harder the healing. Stretching and an active Spartan Warrior lifestyle will get you back on the ice.. You might think twice about checking etc but you def can and should play. Core, core, core exercises and Yoga ! Two of the most well-known back strengthening exercises are: McKenzie exercises and Dynamic Lumbar Stabilization. Learn them and live by them and build on it.

I am 31, yes there is pain again, and yes I plan on seeing the ortho soon. I do have other herniations. P.s. Most Orthos are not crazy about suggesting therapy post op so do research.

The op itself is not scary, you will make it. you can rest assured that you've inadvertently done worse to your body by either consuming alcohol or playing hockey so chill and let the Drs fix you up.

P.s. I just recovered from a nasty broken wrist.... both bones .. Still playing bro. Scared shitl less of falling but that's life. Fuck it you live once.