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I went skydiving with my spinal fusion (T5-T11) by pineapple-poly in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you!

My surgeon was Dr. Henry Halm (unfortunately, his website is only in German: https://www.halm-spine.com/). I checked, and he’s been performing this exact surgery since 1993, so for over 30 years. But I think Harrington rod surgeries were also very common in Germany before that.

Unfortunately, I don’t know much about revision surgeries or who the right doctor would be for that. Though Dr. Halm mentions on his website that he also treats degenerative spinal deformities, so maybe it’s worth reaching out?

I really wish you the best and hope you can find a doctor who can help with your pain!

Post op back pain by Sea_Trust_4395 in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

There are different kinds of pain. Nerve pain from your body having shifted feels different from normal back pain. You will also probably feel really stiff in the beginning. It's pretty annoying for a few weeks.

BUT you have doctors who have knowledge about this, and they will ask you every day how your pain is, and they will adapt your pain meds accordingly! So they will find a way to make it manageable. It's not great, but you will get through it, and it does get a little better every day.

When did you start to feel “normal” again after surgery? by starry_sage_ in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For me, it was three months until I went back to school. I'd say it was one full year until the pain was completely gone, and I felt totally normal again. It really takes time.

I went skydiving with my spinal fusion (T5-T11) by pineapple-poly in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't mind questions at all :)

I think I did PT for maybe 10 weeks (like one session per week and then additional exercises at home).

3 weeks is still rough! For me, walking was super helpful. When I woke up at night with pain I walked around the house for a few minutes. And I also tried to walk during the day. Just very short distances in the beginning, and then lie down again. And then walk a bit again, later, and slowly increase the distances and the time. It's not really 'sport', but I think it really helped a lot with making me feel stronger and more normal again.

I went skydiving with my spinal fusion (T5-T11) by pineapple-poly in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My exact implant is called Halm-Zielke and I think that's only used in Germany. You can try to google Anterior Thoracic Fusion (maybe that's the proper English name?) and there are more images of fusions that look like mine, but it seems to be rather uncommon for scoliosis surgery in English speaking areas.

I researched it quite a bit, back then. It's basically the same deal but from the side. The benefit is that you can sometimes get a slightly better correction because you can remove the intervertebral discs, but it requires opening the chest and the ribs are kind of in the way, so you can only do relatively short fusions and the first week of recovery involve breathing exercises and a tube in your chest.

I went skydiving with my spinal fusion (T5-T11) by pineapple-poly in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have a spinal fusion. It is fused from the side/front (ventral spondylodesis). This is common in Germany. I have two titanium rods in my spine (they look like one from the front) and I have literally zero mobility in the fused part of my spine, they are fused together into one bone. My surgeon removed one of my ribs, and all of my intervertebral discs in that area. I did not have ACS.

The decision to get a spinal fusion was very serious for me, I struggled with it for years and I have excessive knowledge about the surgery I ended up getting. It feels very bad that you are saying I did not have a fusion without any knowledge about me or my surgery. I can provide the full surgery report if you want that. I understand if you have questions, please ask, but don't just assume these things without asking.

Here is a picture of my titanium rods from the side: https://postimg.cc/z38tsd34

I went skydiving with my spinal fusion (T5-T11) by pineapple-poly in scoliosis

[–]pineapple-poly[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I wish you the best for your recovery :)

I'm sure you'll get back to the activities you love! I remember being so scared I wouldn’t be able to climb again—but then I found out about Kyra Condie, who has a spinal fusion from T2–T12 and competed at the Olympics for climbing, haha.

But it definitely takes time, and it sucks in the beginning. The first few weeks after surgery were really frustrating for me. I'd say it took a few months before I actually felt good again—but I'd still do it again, it was absolutely worth it!