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May, 2025

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Skiing After Lumbar Fusion Surgery

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three6steeze
Posts: 484 - Karma: -3
What up NS, it's been a long fucking time. The rest of high school, undergrad, grad, a couple knee surgeries and a whole lot more have happened since I last posted around here, but I've got a question for you guys.

Have any of you ever had a lumbar fusion? If so how aggressively have you felt comfortable skiing afterwards?

I've been dealing with chronic leg/back pain since march of 2014, which has become progressively worse to the point where I don't get more than an hour of sleep a night without some pretty gnarly and potentially addicting pain meds. I've sought nearly every form of conservative treatment available (e.g. chiro, acupuncture, LOTS of physical therapy, etc.) and have had 5+ steroid injections, but am now at the point where the pain management doctor, sports med doctor, and three different neurosurgeons have all recommended that I have my L5-S1 fused (anterior approach, and hopefully without external brackets and screws). Anyways, the surgery is scheduled for next month, and i'm just curious if anyone out there has had this surgery, and if so how coming back from it was.

Surgeon says he thinks I can be on skis within 5-6 months, but my whole style of skiing has got to go. Basically no more airs, and tone down the aggressiveness overall. I'm still coming to terms with the idea of being completely done with dropping cliffs and hitting kickers, and frankly would really love to be able to nice big floaty 3 every now and again. Then again, I do love me some good old fashioned soulful pow turns.

What've you got for me, NS?
9 years ago
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bait
Posts: 1226 - Karma: 3,604
All the old dead OG neschoolers are coming back
9 years ago
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HAMNATION
Posts: 814 - Karma: 1,722
doctors are always conservative you can do whatever you want as long as it's clean hit the sweet spot on dem cliffs and make sure you grease dem 3's
9 years ago
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three6steeze
Posts: 484 - Karma: -3
baitAll the old dead OG neschoolers are coming back


Si wey. And we're bringing our tall tee's and afterbang back, too.

Bump for replies from people who might've had thier spines fucked with.
9 years ago
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three6steeze
Posts: 484 - Karma: -3
Alright, young bloods. One more bump.
9 years ago
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Aomame
Posts: 283 - Karma: 469
I think you're gonna have a hard time finding anybody else on here who needs a spinal fusion. Best I can tell you is that in school, I once cut open a cadaver that had a spinal fusion. Was trying to remove part of the spine when we came upon a piece of metal and I was like whaattttt and then realized what it was.
9 years ago
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JAHpow
Posts: 7282 - Karma: 17,194
Idk about the surgery and how soon you can ski after, but to make you feel better, Candide broke broke his back and now look how he skis. Best backcountry skier out there imo
9 years ago
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3459 - Karma: 11,912
an older guy at my work has had something that sounds like you're describing but it might not be the exact same. he had his spine fused back together after a car accident.

he's a snowboard instructor, so obviously he can still ride. he rides pretty well but sticks to groomers, will occasionally hit a box.

I would think that cruising groomers is better than no skiing at all or having to ski through bad chronic pain.
9 years ago
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arnie_grape
Posts: 3459 - Karma: 11,912
GORILLAWALLACEan older guy at my work has had something that sounds like you're describing but it might not be the exact same. he had his spine fused back together after a car accident.

he's a snowboard instructor, so obviously he can still ride. he rides pretty well but sticks to groomers, will occasionally hit a box.

I would think that cruising groomers is better than no skiing at all or having to ski through bad chronic pain.


also should mention that his surgery was in the early-mid 90s so things may have come along with that type of procedure.
9 years ago
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El_Barto.
Posts: 11661 - Karma: 24,358
Im kinda old and falling hurts even without back surgery. Skiing is actually more fun for me now. I know my limits and try to be perfect within them...I dont ever consider pushing it anymore. Trying to be technically perfect is a lot of fun. You'll be alright.
9 years ago
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YoungWookiee
Posts: 710 - Karma: 529
My friend had a bar put into his chest to expand it, He still snowboards. Just can't do nothing major in fear of a hard wipeout that could be painful or deadly
9 years ago
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ydane
Posts: 3 - Karma: 11
Hi, I was just fused T3 L3 (so basically almost my entire back) and I have been trying to find information on people skiing with fusion but unsuccessfully . It’s a long time after you posted but can you please give us an update? Have you skied and what were your limits post fusion?
7 years ago
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DirtYStylE
Posts: 3652 - Karma: 8,897
ydaneHi, I was just fused T3 L3 (so basically almost my entire back) and I have been trying to find information on people skiing with fusion but unsuccessfully . It’s a long time after you posted but can you please give us an update? Have you skied and what were your limits post fusion?


sorry to hear man, + vibes
7 years ago
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ydane
Posts: 3 - Karma: 11
.

**This post was edited on Apr 13th 2018 at 1:11:15pm
7 years ago
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ydane
Posts: 3 - Karma: 11
DirtYStylEsorry to hear man, + vibes

I’m a girl :)
7 years ago
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clorox
Posts: 1728 - Karma: 4,867
I fractured my L2 in 2015 but the only noticeable symptoms left are less feeling in the tops of my hands and the reflex in my right knee doesn't respond to the rubber mallet. I feel some discomfort when trying to sleep sometimes, and when skiing fast in rough terrain with rapid shocks, it starts to really hurt but honestly I've had no problem with park or dropping cliffs. I stay away from potentially addictive pain meds, but I have been microdosing weed edibles in the form of capsules before going to bed and it works wonders. Not for everyone but that's a decision for you to make. CBD may also be something to consider due to the non psychoactive effects.
7 years ago
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