Anyone Go To WDW After Spinal Fusion???

[melomouse]

Hi -

Turns out that after all, I WILL be taking DS - 14 1/2 on our "girls'" trip since the childcare arrangements feel thru for him. DS was prepared to be home since he had 12 vertebrae fused early July and his scoliosis was corrected. He's done great!

He knows no coasters of any kind and that rides are limited. I have spoken to the PA and have a call into the surgeon, who seems to be very confident about her work "holding up " well!

That said - and I am hoping I don't get flamed for being a bad mom and even bringing him...anyone with back problems have any input??? Obviously ToT, all coasters , KRR are out - Soarin' ok, PoC??.... I am going thru every attraction so I can prepare him beforehand.

Oh - and this is my Asperger's boy, too. One good thing is that his rigid thinking makes him VERY cautious and self-protective with his back - which is great in this case.He understands and wants to go since he can down a whole marinated steak now and thinks FDP, POR and a swim will be a thrill for him after pretty much being cooped up all summer.

 

[LindsayDunn228]

Soarin and POTC should be ok. Granted, I had my spinal fusion for scoliosis when I was 9, I'm 28 now

 

[Va-bear]

Turns out that after all, I WILL be taking DS - 14 1/2 on our "girls'" trip since the childcare arrangements feel thru for him. DS was prepared to be home since he had 12 vertebrae fused early July and his scoliosis was corrected. He's done great!

He knows no coasters of any kind and that rides are limited. I have spoken to the PA and have a call into the surgeon, who seems to be very confident about her work "holding up " well!

That said - and I am hoping I don't get flamed for being a bad mom and even bringing him...anyone with back problems have any input??? Obviously ToT, all coasters , KRR are out - Soarin' ok, PoC??.... I am going thru every attraction so I can prepare him beforehand.

POC and Soarin are both quite gentle - especially Soain (you might hit one bump on POC.) I think that since his surgery was so recent you will have to ask him after one very gentle ride how it feels - basically be extra-viligent, as you are being.

I dont think its bad to want to live your life with SOME normalcy!! I have had two back surgeries - w/ a third likely soon.... my fusion is almost 10 years old. I get SO frustrated by the things I cant do - so when I CAN do something I REALLY do it! I cant jog, lift weights, etc - all things I REALLY miss. But, I ride TONS of rides!! I ride coasters (unless they are known to have alot of "jerks", i.e. EE, ToT; I do fine with fast ones or ones that turn you upside down..) my neurosurgeon says its fine once you are well healed.

So maybe telling DS that he can do some more of the rides on the nextt trip will help him.... He can be checking things out on this trip. Honestly, wiht the surgery so recent my biggest concern is he will tire REALLY easily,,,that's my main problem after surgery - it really takes months and months to get back to where you were energy-wise. So, more trips to relax int he pool for him!!! Good luck and safe trip.

 

[Belle1962]

Sim rides may be out--Star Tours, Dinosaur, Body Wars. The motion of platform is "jostly" and bumpy. Maybe someone can ride it and "feel it" and decide if you think he will be ok.

 

[melomouse]

Thanks so much to those who shared.

Body Wars may be closed?? I have never done it, but the kids have..

Can't believe in all our trips have never done Dinosaur! Twice we were on FP and the ride broke down - and it's one of only 3 attractions in AK for DD and I - Kali and EE - OUT for DS and his back.

So Dinosaur is also jostly???Can you explain a bit more??

And how about the Norway boat ride??

 

[OKWMom]

So Dinosaur is also jostly???Can you explain a bit more??

And how about the Norway boat ride??

When we rode Dinosaur last year (for the first time), it felt like we would be bounced from the ride vehicle. Imagine riding in a Jeep driven over very rough terrain.

Maelstrom should be okay, but I'm not an expert with his condition. It has a small drop going backwards, but that drop isn't very rough IMO and is comparable to the drop in POTC and may be somewhat smaller.

 

[Cheshire Figment]

For Star Tours if you are going at a time when all six simulators are not in use you can ask (at the podium) for a "test ride". They will take you (and your party) to a simulator that is not in use and run it with the picture, sound and lights, but not the motion.

 

[eternaldisneyfan]

I had a major spinal fusion (anterior and posterior) in 2003 correcting a 125 degree curve to 35 degrees (admitted January 21, released July 14). I went to DL in February 2004 and rode PoC just fine. The jerky turning rides (Haunted Mansion) bothered me more then a drop. I also rode Soarin' and it was very gentle and extremely awesome! The ride is very smooth. I would avoid Kilimanjaro Safari that soon after a fusion. The Safari should be okay on a return trip (I rode it fine in 2006).

Good luck!


Christamae