Back surgery prep and recovery.

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By Elson C

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  • 59 Replies
  1. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Hello there. As many of you know, I am having back surgery in a few weeks (Nov 4th), I will have my L4 and L5 fused due to a birth defect. I am purposely doing during the winter months so I can try to be recovered by the spring, I know there are no guarantees when it comes to surgery recovery, per my doctor's experience, my current health state and the technologies being used on my surgery, he expects me to have a speedy recovery. Currently, he believes that I will be home the next day after the surgery, after that the first week is just easy pacing around the house recovery, weeks 2 and 3, more activity and longer walks to help the back not to get stiff, physiotherapy will be depending on the needs of the recovery, but it is to start on the end of week one, and can last upwards to a year. he believes that 90 days post-op, I will be able to pick up a club and take easy swings, maybe just living room pitching practice. Between 4 to 5 months I can maybe be back to get full swings and playing golf. This is all on paper for now, but it is a possibility, for now as a pre-operation he has me working on strengthening muy core with yoga and exercises. What I am looking for is the opinion of the members who have faced similar surgeries, how have you prepared and recovered? I have no intent to not follow what the doctor tells me to do if he tells me not to play golf until 2021, oh well it is what it is, but I honestly want to get back playing and hopefully playing in a manner that I can have a good solid recovery. As a side note, my doctor is putting together a list of back-friendly golf professionals who he has worked with in the past, so I can get lessons when I am back to playing. Thank you for any information you guys can provide.

  2. Alex

    Alex

    Best of luck for the op.
  3. FRED L

    FRED L
    Centerport, NY

    Good Luck and hope you are back swinging soon!
  4. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Thank you for the best wishes, counting the days, 26 to go, and I know I will not become a scratch golfer from night to day, but if I can stop the few times per round where I get out of sorts on the back swing and missed the ball altogether, will make my life better.
    But mostly I am looking forward to the change of improving my quality of life outside of golf, it will be great to go shopping with the wife and not have to look for a chair to sit every five minutes or for that matter sit o the floor at the store, just because I cant keep my self upright and walking.
  5. Guy O

    Guy O
    State College, PA

    Elson, I’m in the same condition you are except I only have 3 days to wait. Having major work done on my spine Monday. I haven’t played golf in a year. I’m already fused at L4 and L5. Surgeon is taking that hardware out and adding L2, L3’and S1. He’s also putting a Co-Flex spacer between T11 and T12. Doing some stenosis clean out while he’s in there.
    Some form of “normal” quality of life is what I’m hoping for. Surgeon has promised I’ll still be able to play golf again with some patience and hard work after surgery! Good luck with yours and we can compare our recovery progress!
  6. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Guy O said:

    Elson, I’m in the same condition you are except I only have 3 days to wait. Having major work done on my spine Monday. I haven’t played golf in a year. I’m already fused at L4 and L5. Surgeon is taking that hardware out and adding L2, L3’and S1. He’s also putting a Co-Flex spacer between T11 and T12. Doing some stenosis clean out while he’s in there.
    Some form of “normal” quality of life is what I’m hoping for. Surgeon has promised I’ll still be able to play golf again with some patience and hard work after surgery! Good luck with yours and we can compare our recovery progress!

    Best of luck, I hope all goes well with your surgery. I keep counting the days until mine is here.
  7. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    Good luck my son had that done 6 weeks ago and is following Dr.s orders the best he can. He just can't sit and do nothing . build up as much as you can now cause when the healing process begins the better off you are now the easier(if that's possible ) the healing will be.
  8. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Dave N said:

    Good luck my son had that done 6 weeks ago and is following Dr.s orders the best he can. He just can't sit and do nothing . build up as much as you can now cause when the healing process begins the better off you are now the easier(if that's possible ) the healing will be.

    Dave I hope that your son is doing well, and have my best wishes for his recovery.
    I am working on my core strengthening and flexibility. I am so excited to finally get this done.
  9. Todd T

    Todd T
    San Diego, CA

    Military
    After L5-S1 fusion, all I can say is research and question your surgeon and LISTEN to you Phys Ther specialists. Don't rush coming back because that cheating swing may feel fine now, but days later you'll be on couch wondering why you did that! Good Health!
  10. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Todd T said:

    After L5-S1 fusion, all I can say is research and question your surgeon and LISTEN to you Phys Ther specialists. Don't rush coming back because that cheating swing may feel fine now, but days later you'll be on couch wondering why you did that! Good Health!

    Todd, I am not planning on rushing at all, I am playing my last round of golf this coming Saturday, then my wife is taking my clubs and swing aids to her office, I will not have temptation laying around the house, during the recovery.
  11. Lance P

    Lance P
    Hillsborough, NC

    I have nothing to offer except thoughts and prayers...
  12. Frank P

    Frank P
    Port St. Lucie, FL

    Military
    Best of luck with the surgery and remember recovery first and golf second.
  13. Steve E

    Steve E
    Stockton, CA

    Elson good luck on your upcoming surgery and a speedy recovery and back playing soon..I had back surgery April 6 2018 to remove my T1 and T2 discs that were putting pressure on my spine..the surgery was a success but left me paralyzed from the waist down.hope to be back playing next summer..
  14. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    steve e said:

    Elson good luck on your upcoming surgery and a speedy recovery and back playing soon..I had back surgery April 6 2018 to remove my T1 and T2 discs that were putting pressure on my spine..the surgery was a success but left me paralyzed from the waist down.hope to be back playing next summer..

    Steve, I am praying for your recovery, and I hope to see you back on the course soon.
    The L4/5 disc will be removed on mine and replaced with a titanium cage, wonder if we can get Titleist titanium alloy to use for the fusion cage?
  15. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Hello there.
    It is 1:30 am and I can't sleep.
    I'm laying in my hospital bed as I write this.
    My surgery was a success, thank you everyone for the thoughts and prayers.
    As I lay here and during the brief walk I took earlier the massive right leg pain mixed with the numbness are gone, as well as the "burning" sensation on my upper left back.
    The site of the surgery is sore and it will be hurting for awhile but honestly I've lived with pain so long that honestly it doesn't disturb me.
    The post surgery prognosis is really good, the doctor expect to be a fast recovery as the titanium cage and screws settle in place and the bone graph helps the L4 and L5 to fuse.
    I once again thank each and every one of you as friends for your support and advice.
    I look forward to see as many of you as I can on a course sometime in the future.
    Also as good luck charms I've worn my Titleist blue cap to the hospital and used my hole in one bag tag as a temporary Keychain.
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  16. Steve E

    Steve E
    Stockton, CA

    Elson..so happy your surgery went well..work hard in therapy and you will be teeing it up soon.I will pray for a speedy recovery for you..
  17. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    steve e said:

    Elson..so happy your surgery went well..work hard in therapy and you will be teeing it up soon.I will pray for a speedy recovery for you..

    Thank you Steve, I'm so happy with the outcome so far, im meeting with the therapist Friday.
  18. Guy O

    Guy O
    State College, PA

    Elson, congrats and good luck moving forward! My surgery went well although a little disappointing. The surgeon had to add another fusion of T-11 and T-12. He had to remove too much bone to relieve stenosis pressure in that area. So at this point I’m fused from T-11 all the way down to S-1. As of yesterday I’ve put the walker away and am getting around the house with a cane for steadying! I was actually out in the yard letting the dog run to get some fresh air. The hope of playing golf again remains my motivation to be patient and then work hard when the time is right! Hope you go home soon!
  19. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Guy O said:

    Elson, congrats and good luck moving forward! My surgery went well although a little disappointing. The surgeon had to add another fusion of T-11 and T-12. He had to remove too much bone to relieve stenosis pressure in that area. So at this point I’m fused from T-11 all the way down to S-1. As of yesterday I’ve put the walker away and am getting around the house with a cane for steadying! I was actually out in the yard letting the dog run to get some fresh air. The hope of playing golf again remains my motivation to be patient and then work hard when the time is right! Hope you go home soon!

    Thank you Guy, we just got home, everything looks good so far, the only issue I have is to get used on how to move around, I'm able to walk without assistance, we are still grabbing a cane for the next week, I am hurting on the are of the surgery, but I'm positive that won't last.
    I'm glad to hear that you are doing well and improving, I realize how much I have taken for granted on the past, and I now appreciate every thing and everyone around me.
    Stay positive and best of luck with your recovery.
  20. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Thank you Allan and the Team Titleist staff for the sweetest surprise. It sure makes me feel very happy on how much care is given to this community.

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  21. Barry S

    Barry S
    Oakville, ON

    Glad to hear the surgery went well. Now is the time where you really have to follow your doctors and therapists orders.
    By the way, what a great gesture from Titleist. It just reaffirms why they are #1.
  22. Guy W

    Guy W
    Statesville, NC

    Best wishes on a speedy recovery!!
  23. Scott D

    Scott D
    Lethbridge,

    Clad to hear your surgery went well. I had L4/L5 discectomy and laminectomy. I followed my docs orders and the physiotherapist orders to the letter. 4 years later golfing is a dream no pain! I kept up the core exercises and yoga as both the doc and physiology stated it is the best way to prevent reoccurrence. Good luck on the recovery and golf
  24. Brian F

    Brian F
    Phoenix

    I just joined this site today and this was the first thread I saw.

    I'm glad to see you're doing well after your surgery! You're going to have good days and bad days but hopefully the good ones far outweigh the bad. If you ever have any questions or concerns along your journey feel free to fire away.

    I was fused at L4/L5 in March of 2018 and had two microdisectomys before that. I haven't won the Masters yet but I'm back to playing twice a week. There is plenty of golf left in you yet, just follow the PT and don't give up!
  25. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Brian F said:

    I just joined this site today and this was the first thread I saw.

    I'm glad to see you're doing well after your surgery! You're going to have good days and bad days but hopefully the good ones far outweigh the bad. If you ever have any questions or concerns along your journey feel free to fire away.

    I was fused at L4/L5 in March of 2018 and had two microdisectomys before that. I haven't won the Masters yet but I'm back to playing twice a week. There is plenty of golf left in you yet, just follow the PT and don't give up!

    Thank you, I'm doing PT 3 times a week, it is a start, but I do feel much better now than before the surgery, it has been barely a week, but I can tell you that my body feels much better, I mean right now there is the no bending and twisting, I'm getting used to working around it.
    I've been able to walk more and doing more and more every day, I'm not trying to push myself too hard, but the lack of leg pain and back burning is sure encouraging.
  26. Dave N

    Dave N
    Dade City, FL

    Good news for you, congrats and I hope you get a speedy recovery. Swing on my friend.
  27. Doug E

    Doug E
    Urbana, MD

    Follow your doctor's (and therapist's) orders and you'll be swinging your Titleists again soon. Probably, even better than ever. All the best in your recovery.
  28. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    I went and saw the doctor yesterday, the fusion is taking well the recovery is going good, my L4 and L5 went from being about 35% out of alignment to back to alignment, the doctor was afraid that he might not be able to get it back to less than 15% due to how bat it was, but look at those sexy vertebrates now.
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  29. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military
    Glad the surgery was successful and hope your recovery time is short. PT is now the key, then back to swinging the clubs. I am going for an injection soon to relieve my pain (L5-S1), short of surgery. Old age, part of the problem. No golf till then. Thank goodness for modern medicine.
  30. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Chuck Z said:

    Glad the surgery was successful and hope your recovery time is short. PT is now the key, then back to swinging the clubs. I am going for an injection soon to relieve my pain (L5-S1), short of surgery. Old age, part of the problem. No golf till then. Thank goodness for modern medicine.

    I hope everything goes well with your Injection Chuck, the doctor have outlined my time table, and following PT I can start with light stretching and workouts, by January, as long as the bone graph and fusion is taking well, I can take something like light Yoga, and start intensifying from there.
    By late February to early March, I might be cleared to pick up a club, I am not rushing my self, I am following what the doctor is telling me, and step by step will finish the recovery as he is prescribing it.
  31. Steve E

    Steve E
    Stockton, CA

    Great news Elson..hope you can be teeing it by mid summer Good Luck I will be praying for a speedy recovery
  32. Chuck Z

    Chuck Z
    Mt Pleasant, SC

    Military

    Chuck Z said:

    Glad the surgery was successful and hope your recovery time is short. PT is now the key, then back to swinging the clubs. I am going for an injection soon to relieve my pain (L5-S1), short of surgery. Old age, part of the problem. No golf till then. Thank goodness for modern medicine.

    Glad you surgery went well. My first injection on Nov 22nd did not take and went back for another injection on Monday, December 16th. Think this one was stronger. Hope to be back playing by Jan 14th. "Our goal is to avoid surgery." My issues are L5-S1 also. Old age, smoking, and I guess other things related to sports, disc degeneration. The lower back pain went into my left leg and hampered my ability to walk. Pain level was at a nine most of the time. Wishing you the very best. Hoping to be able to attend the PGA Merchandise Show the end of January and play at least one round while we are there.
  33. Elson C

    Elson C
    Southgate

    Chuck Z said:

    Glad the surgery was successful and hope your recovery time is short. PT is now the key, then back to swinging the clubs. I am going for an injection soon to relieve my pain (L5-S1), short of surgery. Old age, part of the problem. No golf till then. Thank goodness for modern medicine.

    I hope it does take and you get to feel better Chuck, my pain level was very high but on the right leg, I had a few occasions where I would lose all of the sensation on my right leg and if had nothing to hold on, I would fall down, no more weakness or numbness so far too.
    I always joked that I was in so much pain that my scale of it was askey and my 5 was someone else's 10.
    I am happy with the results so far since it was my only option.
    Happy, optimistic and thankful is where I stand right now.
  34. Anthony C

    Anthony C
    Tinton Falls NJ

    Keep up the good work! I know it's tough. Stay focused!
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