Spinal Fusion Expectations

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gazeba

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I had a fusion S1 - L1 in July of 2007. I am overjoyed at the success of the surgery and recovery. No pain for the first yime in 15 years.

I have recently started an intensive yoga class and wonder what kind of flexibility I can expect. For example, when-if my achilles tendons finally stretch out, should I be able to bend forward from my waist "with a straight back" and touch the floor with my hanRAB? Does the S1 inclusion in the fusion prevent that?

At this point - with a straight back - I can bend to 90 degrees. The tension point I feel is in the achilles at the very top of ly legs.

Thanks for any feed back.
 
L1 to S1? thats 5 levels?

I have a double at L3-4-5 and, from a standing position, I can touch my fingertips to the floor while bending at the waist. I used to be able to put my palms on the floor while standing and bending from the waist before so I lost a bit but not tons.

at 5 levels I cant even figure out how you can bend so much now :)
 
OK folks, let me get this straight. I thought after a lurabar fusion that excessive bending at the waist was out for the long term?? I am 4 1/2 months out from a single level L4-L5 fusion and I can bend at the waist about 25 degrees. I'm not sure if it is the fear factor or actual pain that stops me. I have tried increasing my flexibility day by day with gentle stretching but I thought I would be wearing my knees out from here on out!
When I need to retrieve something off the floor I am either doing a deep knee bend or still using the grabber. Should I be doing more?

Once I am say, a year or 18 months out, if the fusion is stable, is it OK to bend that much? I used to pride myself on being able to touch the floor also, Zeroman, but I thought those days were over. It's encouraging to hear that you guys have that much flexibility. I can walk very well (which wasn't so prior to the surgery) but I do miss being able to do a good relaxing stretch!
JanKR
 
I had a 4 level fusion, L2 through S1, in July '08 and got a lot of pain relief. I'm able to bend over enough, just barely, by bending by knees, to be able to wash and dry my feet, but there's no way I could ever touch the palms of my hanRAB to the floor. Giving up some flexibility was a great trade-off to get rid of so much pain.

I'm not supposed to lift or carry more than 20 lbs. or to do any twisting. Even twisting a little to get a seat belt on causes pain.

Nancy
 
At 11 months, my surgeon declared my fusion "complete" and released me from all restrictions. The only caveat was that the vertebrae above the fusion would be taking all strain when bending. He did however, encourage yoga, stretching, and always .. walking... walking. I approach yoga with a flat back in mind - seeking to strengthen the muscles throughout my back to support the spine I have remaining.

I can put my own socks on again after three months of yoga. And still am pain free (except when I skip class for a couple of days!).
 
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