just had vertebrae fused

[LJC1861]

I had C6-7 fused using my hip bone with no titanium plate in 1996. Then in 2004 I had C4-6 fused using cadaver bone and this time with a titanium plate covering the entire area.

My surgeon recommended no coasters or bumpy rides of any kind for a full year following the second surgery. I had a Disney trip planned only a few months afterward. He also said that once I was fully healed that I would actually be at 110%, and that the plate provides an enormous amount of protection in the area.

That being said.....I will do almost every ride at WDW, with the exception of Space Mountain. That to me, still feels too jerky. I ride everything else, including EE.

Linda

 

[bagpiper]

I agree that Space Mountain is way to jerky. I rode everything before my surgery, and Space Mtn and Rock and Roll Rollercoaster were too much for my neck. Expedition Everest was actually very smooth and I did not feel a great of pain after riding it like the other coasters.

With that said, I will not attempt to ride them any longer, I have too many injuries to my back and neck to risk anymore.

I have heard of others that have had their surgeries undone with accidents or extreme motion. So the is a possibility that you can re injure yourself post surgery, just be careful !

 

[FancyO'Nancy]

Synthetic bone??? Is it one of those cool new synth discs? I would love to have been able to do that instead of cadaver bone. (I would never do my own hip bone, I've heard horror stories from that). Bummer that he had to have hardware taken out. I wonder if they used the wrong size?

It is true, watching the kids (whether your's or other's) is one of the best things about Disney! Best wishes about finding out what in the world is going on!

Yep, synthetic bone. I'm not sure if it was a synth disc since I have no idea what that is. They've never given us a solid answer as to why he is in so much pain. One day they say he could be rejecting the synthetic bone and then another day they say it could be nerve damage. I don't know what it is. All I know is that he is in constant pain and takes a lot of drugs everyday.

 

[Cinders Mum]

Am I ever glad that the search function has been restored, and I found this thread.
I had ACDF of c5-6 done in October (had to postpone our Oct trip because of this, but worth it) I had the synthetic disc and filler put in, with a mesh covering to encourage fusion. Whilst I am still in some amount of pain, it is better than before surgery. (c6-7 is distended due to swelling in the general area).

The common lists of the don't do rides are pretty much what I thought... no chance of doing the new Space mountain for me, or Dinosaur or Primeval hurl..... really doubtful I will do Big Thunder, but hey if I can speak to a CM and possibly snag a front car (much to my teenage daughter's disgust I am sure LOL) it might be possible. But then again there is a nagging doubt in the back of my mind, that really is it worth risking extreme pain for riding BTMR??!!

It would seem though that the bigger rides are actually easier than the less offensive ones, purely because they offer more restraints and protection.
It's a long time till October 2010, when we will try again.

Thanks to the previous posters, you have helped me loads with your advice to each other.

 

[Angela3272]

I had back surgery over 20 years ago & I am still unable to ride on roller coasters...or many other rides. I don't know what you were told, by your doctors, but I was told that my roller coaster riding days were over once I had the surgery. Sorry if I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear.

 

[cheerforchelsea]

DH has C3 C4 C5 C6 fused and has had for many years. He has done WDW since the fusions and says that Tower of Terror and Dinosaur are the only rides that he won't try to do again. With a rollercoaster he says that if he can "see" what is coming next that he is able to brace his neck so as not to jerk. His fusions were done at different times - some with cadaver bone and plates and some with only donor bone...Best of luck!!!!

 

[honeydiane1953]

I had back surgery over 20 years ago & I am still unable to ride on roller coasters...or many other rides. I don't know what you were told, by your doctors, but I was told that my roller coaster riding days were over once I had the surgery. Sorry if I didn't tell you what you wanted to hear.

I had back surgery 5+ yrs. ago can't remember lol. I had looow spinal fusion with instrumentation etc etc. I STILL baby my back. It is waay better than it was re pain BUT still not like it was when I was 30 something. I will always baby my back. Recovery was good. Ortho whom assisted Neuro said just after four weeks I was laying down bone just fine. Didn't know that meant I was growing bone quickly. I do not ride coasters and such. Also didn't ask either M.D. as common sense tells me no. No offense intended to anyone. I am a disabled nurse btw