Friend with Surgical Fusion of Spine

[k-dog]

I received the below message from a friend of mine who lives in a different state. I was wondering if you had any thoughts to share that I can pass on as this is beyond my level of expertise. Thanks so much:

I would really like your opinion on high impact sports (running, jumping) for someone like me that has gone through a surgical fusion of several vertebra.
Specifics on my case:
Two and a half years ago I ruptured three discs pretty bad. They were compressing my spinal cord and causing all sorts of odd intermittant symptoms...sometimes I felt like a marionette, odd rambling aches and pains, sometimes it felt like I had ankle weights on one or both of my legs, loss of fine motor control in right hand (nerve root compression too), finger numbness on right hand.

I strongly suspect that I injured my neck by carrying scaffolding on my head-- it was the NEXT morning that I started having shoulder pain (no pain or numbness immediately at all). Then when I ran I'd feel a twinge in my right hand on each down step, it was in April that the weirder symptoms (cited above) started. May 18, 2004 I had the surgery

I had C4-C7 fused, w/ placement of a titanium plate. And had a long slow recouperation (I took my time.) The first year I would have back stiffness...maybe it was from just being more sedentary because I REALLY took it easy (had used allograft and wanted to make SURE the fusion was stable before I resumed begin real active).

When I wanted to resume serious activity I consulted three persons.
The Neurologist covering my case-- I estimate that less than 1/3 of his patients are trauma patients (rest seem to be stroke victims and people w/ degenerative neurological diseases). He knows how bad the stenosis was/is? in my spinal canal and he told me running shouldn't be a problem, that it wouldn't 'aggravate' the "moderate stenosis" that still seemed to be present.

The Physical Therapist (she is also a hand specialist) covering me. She really was great at helping me get back my strength and flexibility BUT I think (and I told her) she is prejudiced against running. She told me that someone w/ a fusion should absolutely NOT run, jump rope, or even use a mini-trampoline. When I told her what the neurologist said she still maintained that running and high impact sports were NOT good for the spine. This killed me because I know she has sound reasons for her beliefs and I do believe there is some validity to discouraging someone w/ a fused spine from HIGH IMPACT sports. BUT I also think there could be BENEFIT to running/jumping and this I want to see about balancing the benefits and the risks.

So I needed a tie breaker--and consulted a Physiatrist and she said ABSOLUTELY go back to running/jumping as though it deserved no second thought whatsoever- why would I ask?? Well truthfully I think the PT knew a lot more about my case than the physiatrist. I doubt the physiatrist even read my chart. Still I suspect the PT is prejudiced against running (there are alot of folks out there that think running is 'bad'-- my husband is one of them.)

Maybe it is also relevant that I also have some osteoarthritis in that cervical area, bone spurs (I can send you MRI/CT reports if you wish). My last CT scan was in 2004 about 6 months post surgery, it revealed moderate stenosis (improvement over 'severe stenosis' that was noted earlier).

In the last 3 months, I feel like I have returned to full strength. I have a lot of power in upper body, am flexible, and don't have mid back pain like I used to after a days work. I have the energy like I used to and was just chomping at the bit to start pounding pavement again.

I have resumed running and am thinking I would LOVE to start rope jumping again (I read your statements about how good an aerobic workout it was and it rekindled my desire to jump). I have jumped a few times and felt no ill effects and I have a serious want for this kind of activity. (Low impact has never appealed to me, its just NOT satisfying to me on any level.)

THE ONLY time I have odd sensations are when I fall asleep on the train and my head bobs around-- by the end of the 1 hr ride I will have a small amount of numbness in my right hand. So I started wearing my Aspen collar when I am sleepy on the rain and that has helped reduce numbness.

What is your opinion on running/ rope jumping (high impact activities) for someone like me?

[Bill Hartman]

Talk to the doc that did the surgery. If he okays it, then run.

Otherwise, it's a Meatloaf question (2 out of 3 ain't bad), and you can run on a vote of 2 to 1.

Bill

[RedLefty]

Originally Posted by Bill Hartman

Otherwise, it's a Meatloaf question (2 out of 3 ain't bad), and you can run on a vote of 2 to 1.

Bill

Best Hartman quote ever.

[Dogmama]

Last December I had the same operation - fusion of C4-C6, titanium plate. One disk had impaled itself into my spinal cord - no wonder my arm kept going numb! They also found lots of arthritic bone spurs. It's a genetic thing with me.

I had the EXACT same experience - my PT said no running & my surgeon said "go for it." Figured the surgeon had first hand knowledge, so went with his recommendation. I am primarily a cyclist who runs when the weather sucks.

Sometimes I'll get weird sensations when I'm lifting or riding. Surgeon said, "If it hurts or feels weird, stop doing it." That's what I did. He said it would take one year for the nerves to completely heal. I rarely get any numbness or weird sensations now - and I'm a little over seven months post op.

So, I would think over two years post op should be fine. I was back in the gym after two weeks doing lower body stuff (with my Aspen collar on) and started light upper body & cycling 3 months post op - all with the doc's approval.