Ponch Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 Continuing on a theme here, has anyone had cervical fusion and did it affect your ability to ride? I had anterior discectomy and fusion of levels c4-5, c5-6 an c6-7 on Jan 5. I miss riding already, but I expect it will be a few more months for sure. Link to comment
Nice n Easy Rider Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I had a C4-C5 and C5-C6 fusion many years ago. It didn't impede my riding other than I can't turn my head as far to either direction. So when I'm preparing to lane-change I look in my mirrors and turn to look in the appropriate direction. Because of the restricted rotation of my neck I have to also turn my upper body some to make sure I'm seeing as much as possible. I got use to it pretty quickly. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 I am wondering if the auxiliary mirrors would be a good idea? Link to comment
Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 C5-6 10 years ago. I have hardly any loss of motion. Once healed and readied for most anything after a few months, I worked very hard to get my range of motion back. I didn't ride for about 5 years just to see how things were going. I had just started a new career and didn't want to take too many chances until the student loans were paid. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 20, 2012 Author Share Posted January 20, 2012 I don't expect to get my range of motion back, not with 3 levels. I just hope it heals completely and I can ride again. Link to comment
Burt Posted January 20, 2012 Share Posted January 20, 2012 I'm fused from C3 to T1. I only have one disk left in my neck, and it really hasn't bothered me too much. The last surgery was in July 2011. They removed C6/7, C7/T1, and the C7 vertebra. I was back riding right after Labor Day. I can't turn my head quite as far as I used to, but it really isn't a big deal. Link to comment
KDeline Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Dang you must be a lot shorter...... Link to comment
Huzband Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I know a friend that had a fusion, can't recall which vertebrae, but he was an accomplished skier in Colorado. He wasn't a rider, but from what I witnessed on the slopes, he'd have been fine in a motorcycle. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 A lot shorter than what? When they fuse the vertebra, they put bone in between. I don't think you lose any height. Link to comment
tallman Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 multivex mirrors should increase your field of view Hope you're back in the saddle one day. Link to comment
Burt Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 A lot shorter than what? When they fuse the vertebra, they put bone in between. I don't think you lose any height. They put a longer piece of bone in to replace the disks and vertebra, and put a plate over it with screws to hold it in place. The x-ray looks kind of cool. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 A lot shorter than what? When they fuse the vertebra, they put bone in between. I don't think you lose any height. They put a longer piece of bone in to replace the disks and vertebra, and put a plate over it with screws to hold it in place. The x-ray looks kind of cool. Yes, They replaced my disks with bone and put a plate in front of the vertebrae. I haven't seen an x-ray yet. I can say that for whatever reason it has effected swallowing food. Link to comment
hopz Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 Hey Ponch... Sorry to hear you needed that. Glad it went well. Rest and rehab will likely do the trick Link to comment
Danny caddyshack Noonan Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I haven't seen an x-ray yet. I can say that for whatever reason it has effected swallowing food. That's because they clamp down your esophagus and windpipe to get to the discs in back. Bastards didn't tell me not to eat anything but soft food for a couple days. Had a tense few seconds when I choked on a piece of english muffin. Some are starting to use resorbable plates and screws. The patient has to wear a brace for 3 months or so. The side benefit of having it done is the Queen Anne neck brace (stiff one) that I got. It is the best nap aid I've ever heard of. You can fall off to sleep in a chair with no head bobbing. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 I haven't seen an x-ray yet. I can say that for whatever reason it has effected swallowing food. That's because they clamp down your esophagus and windpipe to get to the discs in back. Bastards didn't tell me not to eat anything but soft food for a couple days. Had a tense few seconds when I choked on a piece of english muffin. Some are starting to use resorbable plates and screws. The patient has to wear a brace for 3 months or so. The side benefit of having it done is the Queen Anne neck brace (stiff one) that I got. It is the best nap aid I've ever heard of. You can fall off to sleep in a chair with no head bobbing. I have titanium. As far as the brace goes, I have to wear it whenever I am up out of bed for 8 weeks. I also have to use a bone growth stimulator 4 hours a day for 3 months. Link to comment
hopz Posted January 21, 2012 Share Posted January 21, 2012 I have a titanium a bone growth stimulator 4 hours a day for 3 months. I'd caution about over use... Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 21, 2012 Author Share Posted January 21, 2012 I have a titanium a bone growth stimulator 4 hours a day for 3 months. I'd caution about over use... The doc bought it and says to use it: http://www.orthofix.com/products/spine_cervstim.asp Link to comment
Mr. Mixer Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Continuing on a theme here, has anyone had cervical fusion and did it affect your ability to ride? I had anterior discectomy and fusion of levels c4-5, c5-6 an c6-7 on Jan 5. I miss riding already, but I expect it will be a few more months for sure. Hey Ponch - I had the very same surgery on Dec 14, 2011. Discectomy and fusion of C4-5 and C5-6. The swallowing thing is a pain, I'm supposed to start Physical Therapy next week, and am seeing a Speech Pathologist about the swallowing thing. When I went to the Neuro surgeon last week for my first follow up I asked about when he thought it would be OK to get back on the bike he replied "I suppose never isn't an option?" My wife (bless her heart) replied "darn straight that's not an option" (she taught me how to ride a bike almost 30 years ago now). My doc then went on to say that while he would prefer I stay on 4 wheels for 6 months, he understood that I may not want to wait that long. He said that if I could give it at least three months, I would most likely be OK. I'm REALLY looking forward to March!!! Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 Continuing on a theme here, has anyone had cervical fusion and did it affect your ability to ride? I had anterior discectomy and fusion of levels c4-5, c5-6 an c6-7 on Jan 5. I miss riding already, but I expect it will be a few more months for sure. Hey Ponch - I had the very same surgery on Dec 14, 2011. Discectomy and fusion of C4-5 and C5-6. The swallowing thing is a pain, I'm supposed to start Physical Therapy next week, and am seeing a Speech Pathologist about the swallowing thing. When I went to the Neuro surgeon last week for my first follow up I asked about when he thought it would be OK to get back on the bike he replied "I suppose never isn't an option?" My wife (bless her heart) replied "darn straight that's not an option" (she taught me how to ride a bike almost 30 years ago now). My doc then went on to say that while he would prefer I stay on 4 wheels for 6 months, he understood that I may not want to wait that long. He said that if I could give it at least three months, I would most likely be OK. I'm REALLY looking forward to March!!! The swallowing thing has improved, but not gone away. Have you noticed anything else in your recovery? Like any particular sounds or feelings? I find sleep a challenge. My strength is coming back as well, although I still have a little numbness in the left hand. I will probably wait until May 1 or so to start riding again. I have the bike on the battery tender jr and it's doing ok. better than me. Link to comment
KLC Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 the swallowing problem disappears.I had mine done( c6-c7) 14 years ago and apart from some athritis in the neck no problems . I lost a bit of mobility when looking up but side to side no problem. My hip hurt for much longer than the neck as they had to take 4 large bone chips to stabilise the neck. I was back on the bike 3 months later and had to adapt my riding style a little but no real issue. Link to comment
Ponch Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 I had an allograft. 3 levels for a big guy is too much bone to take out. Link to comment
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