Neck surgery...Can I ride anything?!

[MAGICX2]

I had cervical spine fusion for two ruptured disks in 2002 when I was 25. A recent MRI showed that I need another fusion plus need to have bone spurs removed from the vertebrae that were fused in 2002. I healed fairly quickly the first time. I was back to work in 5 weeks. But the Dr. has told me to expect a longer recovery period this time. We have a trip scheduled for May 12-19. It is for DS 5 and Mother's Day. Now I am pretty confident that I will be up to the trip and feeling fine to do the vacation. My question is can I ride anything? I am really upset that this will be our first trip since EE opens and I was really looking forward to riding it and I know it will be out of the question. But what about Soarin'? Is it jerky or fairly smooth?I know the big coasters (Space Mtn,Thunder Mtn,Splash Mtn, RRC) are out of the question but what can I do?

 

[~Marina~]

Well I suggest you keep off the bigger rides because think about it- busting ur neck or just having fun for like 2 minutes and you could get paralized if u ride a big coaster

 

[Cannot_Wait_4Disney]

Soarin isn't jerky. It's really smooth in fact. But the initial movement into viewing position is fairly rapid. If you are not prepared for it and are leaning forward when it happens, you could get jerked back. I didn't catch how soon after surgery you were going. I'd thoroughly discuss things with your doctor and maybe get a follow up right before going.

 

[MAGICX2]

It will be approx. 10-12 weeks after surgery when we go. After the first time in 2002 I had to fly to Houston for business 5 weeks after surgery and had no problems what so ever. I'm not totally stupid. I won't be riding anything big at all. I just wondered about Soarin'. THe most else will be the small rides in Fantasyland with my children.

 

[LJC1861]

At what level is your fusion? I have had the C5-6 and C6-7 done, 8 years apart. I now have a titanium plate over all 4 for further stability. After the first one it took a long time before I was up to riding any of the big rides and space mountain felt funny for years after. After the second one and the plate it was a much shorter recovery time. My surgery was in late August and by early December I was riding Test Track with no problems at all. I can't speak for the coasters as we did a quickie one day Epcot trip before flying home after a family vacation.

You should have no problem at all on Soarin' as it is not jerky in the least.

Linda

 

[~Marina~]

I guess idk much about those rides if someone ever puts me on one I think i'd faint. I faint from the little berry cups

 

[SueM in MN]

Here is a link to the DIsney website's Disability page, which has links to guides for each park. The guides don't give a lot of detail, but in the description for each attraction, they do list the warnings.
There is also an icon on the park maps (a little red triangle) that indicates which attractions have warnings.
Soarin" doesn't have a warning listed on the website right now (but it did a few months ago when I checked).

Spaceship Earth and Haunted Mansion are 2 attractions that are generally smooth and don't have warnings, but some people with neck or back problems report being uncomfortable during the time that the ride car is traveling backwards down a slope. Some find that having something (a wadded up sweatshirt works) behind their head helps; others have reported putting their hands behind the head to support the neck.

 

[Earstou]

I've had neck and skull surgery, but no fusion (am waiting to hear if I need it from my neurosurgeon). I went to WDW a year after my surgery, so things will be different for you going sooner.
I avoid roller coasters per doctor's orders. Riding Dinosaur was a mistake, I thought I was gonna break my neck with all the jerking! The simulator rides will probably be out of the question, too. Spaceship Earth has already been mentioned, it was painful because the ride vehicle tilts, and if you get stopped in that position, it's even worse. I do recommend supporting your head or neck somehow if you ride it. On Test Track, I just braced my head against the headrest, so it wasn't a problem for me, but I could see it possibly being a problem.
I just rode Soarin' last summer at DL, and didn't have any worries about it. It was very smooth.
Good luck and have fun!

 

[MAGICX2]

At what level is your fusion? I have had the C5-6 and C6-7 done, 8 years apart. I now have a titanium plate over all 4 for further stability. After the first one it took a long time before I was up to riding any of the big rides and space mountain felt funny for years after. After the second one and the plate it was a much shorter recovery time. My surgery was in late August and by early December I was riding Test Track with no problems at all. I can't speak for the coasters as we did a quickie one day Epcot trip before flying home after a family vacation.

You should have no problem at all on Soarin' as it is not jerky in the least.

Linda

My first surgery fused C5-6 same as yours and this surgery is C7-8 so we are in the same boat. The first time I rode a coaster after the surgery from 2002 was just this past Dec. I road RRC. I didn't have any trouble, but I had just been scared to death to try it prior to this. I hope my recovery is quick this time also. Glad you are doing well.

 

[mattsdragon]

Alright, I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert on this topic myself. . .unfortunately.

In May of 2004, after having unbearable neck pain, I went to a chiropractor. Fortunately, I went to a chiropractor who actually uses science, vice one that just lays you on a table and starts manipulating your spine. She had me get an MRI, which showed 2 severely herniated discs surrounding a rather large tumor growing on my spinal sheath. Fortunately, the tumor was benign, but it had been constricting my spinal cord to less than 50% it's proper dimension. So, I underwent my first surgery in June of '04 to have the tumor removed. Six weeks afterwards, with my still herniated discs, I went to Busch Gardens, Williamsburg and rode all the rides multiple times with only minor discomfort. Then in October I went to Disney, again, no problems with the neck, at least not from the rides. We went again in June 05, and I had surgery to fuse the spinal vertebrae in September, so I still had two severely herniated discs in my neck for over a year.

Here is my advice. . .alleve is your friend. As long as you monitor yourself, take 2 alleve in the morning before heading out, and taking one every 4-6 hours afterwards, you may feel a tiny bit of discomfort, but you'll be alright.

Have fun at the parks, I'll be there in 3 months myself.