Mission Space, Rides in general and Back Injury

[Coltsfan78]

I had multiple back surgeries last year, with the biggest of them being a lumbar spinal fusion with screws and rods and all that fun stuff at the end of September (2014). We are going to Disney the first week of November. I have lingering nerve damage in a foot and leg, but otherwise seem to have healed fairly well.

I know that I shouldn't ride anything too jerky/jarring, and that is my plan. I won't do Dinosaur or Test Track or Space Mountain. I'm on the fence about Tower of Terror and Rockin' Roller Coaster. I've ridden all these before so I know what to expect but never with a back injury to consider.

It's been years since I rode Mission Space. I can't remember it being jerky or rough, but I truly just don't remember. Does it just spin? Also, any other rides to possibly avoid? I haven't done the 7 Dwarfs Mine Train, so any info on that would be helpful too. I will consult with my surgeon before I go and trust me, no one wants to avoid a potential re-injury more than me, so I won't be stupid!!

Thanks!
Christina

 

[TwinPrincessMermaids]

Mission Space messes more with your internal Gs and head/equilibrium more than your spine, but I'm not at liberty to recommend it to someone with an injury...it still does some moving and shaking.... But from a ride perspective, I believe it's physically gentler than most, even if it is very intense from a G's standpoint...

RnRc should definitely be ruled out, it can be brutal. ToT could go either way, its just too unpredictable...

I would love to be able to recommend 7D but I can't do this either. It tends to catch very hard when going up the hill and has no head rest like EE to even out the jarring "catch". The ride itself is smooth but its the jarring uphill catch that will throw your neck potentially...

 

[SeilerBird]

I would skip any ride that is questionable at this point. No point in pushing your luck and ruining your vacation. There are plenty of easy rides and attractions to keep you busy at WDW.

 

[ChloesDaddy]

I would think the green (non-spinning) version wouldn't cause any problems. It's just tilting to create the gravity and acceleration effects. If in doubt though, check with your doctor.

 

[Accident]

I had multiple back surgeries last year, with the biggest of them being a lumbar spinal fusion with screws and rods and all that fun stuff at the end of September (2014). We are going to Disney the first week of November. I have lingering nerve damage in a foot and leg, but otherwise seem to have healed fairly well.

We had a friend with 7 herniated discs that hasn't had the same surgery yet. She loved splash mountain, star tours. She didnt' try the others and only was there for 1 day and we had a lot of disability delays to get a buggy and things. It was mainly to enjoy xmas time while I was there with our daughter.

I would think skipping TOT, space mountain, BTMR, dinosaur and maybe rapids is wise. Rock n roller coaster doesn't realyl jerk you around but it does loop and if you can't have your body weight on your shoulders skip it. EE most of the ride is backwords and I find it smooth with some really nice fast drops (tallest coaster in WDW). Mission space I wont' go near, not sure how the green version is that doesn't spin.

 

[hakepb]

I would think the green (non-spinning) version wouldn't cause any problems. It's just tilting to create the gravity and acceleration effects. If in doubt though, check with your doctor.

I'd stay green, too.
The added "G's" against the back were noticeable to my back.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Mission Space exerts a lot of Gs, but it's not particularly jarring or bumpy. That said, I would consult your doctor.

 

[kj2mom]

I remember saying 'that hurt my back' on 2 rides but I can only remember one of them, Primeval Whirl.

 

[larryz]

I had multiple back surgeries last year, with the biggest of them being a lumbar spinal fusion with screws and rods and all that fun stuff at the end of September (2014). We are going to Disney the first week of November. I have lingering nerve damage in a foot and leg, but otherwise seem to have healed fairly well.

Based on your description, there's no way I'd attempt Orange, and I'd be skeptical about trying Green.

 

[bumbershoot]

If in doubt though, check with your doctor.

That said, I would consult your doctor.

Honestly, it's only a learned opinion from a doctor if that doctor is a huge Disney fan, and KNOWS the rides well. Otherwise it's just a guess.


I find there to be nothing jarring about MS Green. And Orange isn't jarring, but that's the side that spins in order to make you feel G-forces, and there's a lot going on to try to stay focused on not looking away, etc.

 

[JoshuaShaw]

Honestly, it's only a learned opinion from a doctor if that doctor is a huge Disney fan, and KNOWS the rides well. Otherwise it's just a guess.

Doctors are human beings who are familiar with the concept of theme park rides and are qualified to give medical opinions. Either way, I'll take a medical guess from someone with a doctorate in medicine over 1,000 prolific message board members. I'm a bit of a crackpot, I know.

 

[Dr.Mickey]

Warning about Kali River: The worst jarring I have ever encountered on any ride at Disney was at the end of this ride when the raft behind us collided. I was turned to the side (not forward or backward) and the side impact lurched my back and knocked my 8yo far enough that his lap belt barely held him in his seat. Of course we were looking around when it hit and did not see it coming - just like everyone else in the raft. That sideways jolt would scare me away with back issues.

The other concern with rides is the safety stop mechanisms. If a coaster has to stop at the safety brake run halfway through the ride, that is NOT going to be a pleasant stop. It doesn't happen much at all on most rides, but with Space Mountain it may be a little more of a frequent occurrence. I've seen it twice (but while I was in line).

Also, a word about doctors - the best answer from a liability standpoint is "follow the written warnings". I would be shocked if they say otherwise, whether they think you are safe or not. If the doctor was also a close friend AND a Disney fanatic, you might get a more lenient answer.

 

[ehtvince]

I say, go on what you're comfortable doing. I've had 5 seperate fusion surgeries in the past 9 years covering 7 levels in both my lumbar and cervical spine; All do to a car accident. My latest was this past April 28th. I will be back in Disney in 2 days for an 11 day trip and can't think of a ride that I won't be going on. When your fusion heals, it's solid. Your not going to hurt it, now the adjacent disc does carry that load, but I'm sure that's what your surgeon has already told you. Just don't let fear of future surgeries deter you from a good time. (Maybe this attitude would account for the follow up surgeries) good luck and have fun, you've earned it.

 

[jemlover]

DH had a lumbar fusion to two disc spaces about 17 years ago. He still gets occasional sciatica, so his back is not perfect. He avoids Dinosaur for obvious reasons and has trouble on Big Thunder because it's a rough ride. He has no issues with RNR, TOT or EE. They are all pretty smooth rides. He does experience a little pain when EE starts up the hill because there is a little jerk in the beginning. He just tries to keep his head and back pressed against the seat. He doesn't ride Space Mountain because there are a lot of twists and turns and it is dark so you can't anticipate what is going to happen. He also has trouble fitting in the cars because he is tall. He has done Star Tours and Mission Space Green with no ill effects. I really think it depends on the source of the back problem. DH had an accident at work and blew out his disc. He did not have a degenerative disc disease where other non-fused disc spaces may have issues.

 

[Coltsfan78]

I really appreciate all the thoughtful replies. This is a whole new experience for me. I feel pretty good in general (at least compared to this time last year!). I'm hoping to have an appointment with my neurosurgeon (a younger guy who has been really open with me in the past) to see if they will do an xray to see how fused I am at this point. Since it will be 13 months past the fusion, I think it should be pretty much healed, but as anyone who has been down this road knows, your back is just never the same.

My plan as of now is to definitely avoid Dinosaur, Space Mountain, Primeval Whirl, maybe Big Thunder Mountain or Star Tours. I'm definitely going to err on the side of caution.

 

[Jennasis]

Timely. I had my second discectomy this past December (L5-S1) and have been doing fantastic. Saw my ortho at the end of June and he and I both were thrilled with my recovery (100%!)...then a week and a half ago I think I reinjured the remaining disc at that level by sitting in a terribly uncomfortable chair for 30 min. I;m in a great deal of pain and trying a Medrol pack to see if it's just inflammation...but so far I'm skeptical. They won't do another discectomy on me, instead it would have to be a fusion and I'm so afraid it will mean the end of me riding my favorites at Disney (as well as ruin my career as a horse trainer). I see the ortho at the end of the month to evaluate. So I'm very interested to see how those who've had fusion are faring at WDW.

 

[tinkfan160]

I had a spinal fusion in 2005 to correct scoliosis and I still have a rod and 4 screws in my back. The first trip to Disney after was in 2007 to just MK and 2008 for all the parks. I consulted my doctor and she told me I could go on whatever I wanted (she actually told me she had done the same surgery on boys who went on to play football in high school). I went on everything (except Mission Space, because I just won't ride that) and I have never had any issues. However it really depends on what you feel comfortable doing and what your doctor feels is okay.

 

[Coltsfan78]

Timely. I had my second discectomy this past December (L5-S1) and have been doing fantastic. Saw my ortho at the end of June and he and I both were thrilled with my recovery (100%!)...then a week and a half ago I think I reinjured the remaining disc at that level by sitting in a terribly uncomfortable chair for 30 min. I;m in a great deal of pain and trying a Medrol pack to see if it's just inflammation...but so far I'm skeptical. They won't do another discectomy on me, instead it would have to be a fusion and I'm so afraid it will mean the end of me riding my favorites at Disney (as well as ruin my career as a horse trainer). I see the ortho at the end of the month to evaluate. So I'm very interested to see how those who've had fusion are faring at WDW.

I'm so sorry to hear about your current troubles. I've been down that road and it's just no fun at all. I reherniated the same level disc twice within a few weeks' time last year resulting in two microdiscectomies and then the fusion. Then I had to have a small revision to remove a set of screws and a bone fragment, but that was minor in comparison. So I know how frustrating it is. I hope the Medrol pack does the trick. I definitely took my share of them last year.

 

[DisneyDoc5]

Please give yourself more time to fully heal, then revisit in a few years and determine your capacity to ride. You are still in the healing phase. In addition, even though I understand the joy these attractions bring, the short duration of each ride isn't worth an injury to your spine and all the effort you have put forth to have these surgeries and recover. You wouldn't want to sabotage your progress. Wishing you a full recovery and health!