Quote:
Originally Posted by Slava
I guess since there is no trade to talk about, I’ll chime in. It sounds like a return to activity too soon. I had a lumbar fusion about 4 years ago. I wasn’t able to do much ahead of that, due to the spinal issue, but I didn’t do much of anything for a full year after. No bending, lifting or twisting. My wife would joke that I should make a shirt that said “I’m not lazy, I had a surgery” because she carried everything. It was sort of glorious, now that I think about it.
But in my case it’s been a remarkable improvement. I can do everything that I could before, and have no issues. (Truthfully, what I accept as no issues is some back pain and things like that, but I’m also an aging fellow who played contact sports and I feel that this comes with the territory).
I’ll just add that there was a place in Germany that does the disc replacement. I debated that also, because the mobility is better. In my case I was not a candidate, flat out. I’m not a doctor, and have no idea if Eichel would be, but for me it was a non-starter.
Either way, I don’t think that this issue should scare the Flames away. I know a full recovery can be had and I guarantee you that Eichel is both in better physical condition than I was, and will receive top notch care.
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Hello Slava (and all),
I’ve not logged into these forums in quite a while, although I do read this site for news and musings. In reading this thread, I thought I’d jump in and just add a little information to maybe help with perspective.
I am now 43, and at 36 I had a ‘hybrid’ surgery, which actually covered both (lower) disc replacement (x2) and fusing the L5/S1 (I believe those are the 2, going by memory).
As in your case (Slava), I was unable to do anything afterwards for quite some time. In my situation I was bedridden for 14 weeks wherein I would get up 3x a day (breakfast lunch dinner) and simply sit up. Within that same 14 weeks I graduated to small walks around the house and eventually up/down my block during those same 3x arrangements to get up. By the end of that full timeframe I was able to walk around, however, not permitted to lift more than 5lbs and like yourself, unable to bend, lift, twist (etc). In my situation I could not resume any activity for 2 calendar years.
I too feel remarkably better than prior to surgery, yet my standards reflect similarly to yours in that I do have plenty of back pain although it pales in comparison to my scenario prior.
The doctor performing had told me that he treated a patient prior to myself who actually went back to rodeo bull riding. Interestingly enough though, the ‘pain’ doctor assigned to me for after care, physio, and ongoing (and to whom I still see periodically) suggested to stay clear from activity directly involving the core. No contact sports, no direct stress to the lower back in the gym, no long term distance running, etc.
I now also have limited movement. It’s certainly enough to fulfill my lifestyle, but it was noted that there will be limitations to range and flexibility. I’m not sure if it’s mind over matter, but 3 years after surgery I went back to playing softball and did find bending for ground balls was a different experience. Similarly, swinging a golf club felt different.
This was just my experience and (loosely) the information and directives as given to me for my own situation. How this equates to something ‘x’ amount of years later with further advances and with it being more towards the neck vs lower spine, I’m afraid I can’t really offer comparatives or suggestions. But I just wanted to add the information on my recovery, albeit a hybrid scenario and on the lower lumbar so slightly different than the surgery as being discussed otherwise.
Hopefully this information helped contribute to the conversation.
All the best everyone.