Back Fusion Advice

[Ron I]

I'm scheduled for back surgery in December. Yes, I scheduled it for the winter so I could golf. Right now my back doesn't hurt or bother me when I swing the golf club. I have difficulty bending down.

Specifically, I am going to have my S1, L5 and L4 discs removed, a spacer inserted where the discs were and bone graft material inserted in and around the area and screws and rods are inserted to stabilize the back. The result will be that the S1, L2 and L4 will be fused together.

I am wondering if or how the surgery will affect my golf swing. If any of the members had back surgery or know of someone who had the surgery, I would appreciate hearing from you.

[COSTA103]

Hey Ron,
(thankfully) I've never had back surgery, so I'm not much help on that front.
Just wanted to wish you all the best and speedily back on the course.
Good Luck, man
dude abides

[Ron I]

Thanks Costa. I will have a follow up post about my surgery for anyone that will be interested.

[Alpineberlinette]

Ron, I had back issues for decades and was close to a surgery. At the end, strechting solved all my issues.
We are all bending forward all day long, sitting, driving in a car, even the typical position during sleeping. That causes on a long run, that the structure in front is short, vice versa the back is stretched much too long over the day. This unbalanced situation is the root cause for pressure on the disc and overloads the back muscles.
That is BTW the reason, to exercise the muscles in the back is counter productive, they work hard all day long already.

The only way to come out of the trap is to make the structure in front longer again.

The cobra in yoga is a good starting point.

Today I am absolutely pain free, simple 10 min strechting 3 times per week during watching TV did that wonder.

[Ron I]

Thanks Alpine. I am pretty active 71 year old. I have walked 18 holes of golf 2-3 times a week for the last 7 years. My sciatica has been a problem for over 2 years. It started on the right leg. The pain would travel down my right buttock, hamstring, knee and into my calf. It was quite painful and was cause by sitting too long. I could get up and walk it off. Anyway with PT, chiro, walking and yoga, I finally became pain free. Last Spring I cut down a couple of apple trees and the bending and twisting I did cleaning up caused sciatica pain to travel down both legs. I did my stretching but I had trouble walking without pain. So this past Summer I didn't walk when I played golf. The only encouraging part of my back problem is that my WIG golf swing did NOT cause any pain. Had trouble getting in and out of the cart and putting a tee in the ground.

[flysaab]

Ron, New guy on the forum, but I have been following Shawn's swing theories for years. I am 67, have had 4 back surgeries, the latest a fusion (L4-L5) in late Jan.
I got back to swinging a club after approx 6 months, began hitting a small bucket of 8 irons a few weeks later, and played 9 holes ( with a cart) a few weeks after that.
I now have L2 - L5 fused. I also have had both hips replaced.

I have moved to a more upright swing, with a limited turn, and am doing OK with it. Not exactly a WIG swing, but I can incorporate some elements and it works for me.
Lost some swing speed, but at least I can still play. I did my PT as instructed post op and continue with the stretches on a daily basis. I work out 3X a week and take
a long time to warm up before a range session or playing 9 holes.

My next goal is going 18, but I'm in no hurry. I would say take your time and follow what your doc tells you.

Good Luck and if you have any other questions, fire away.

[Ron I]

Thanks flysabb, for the information and encouragement. Six months before you started back playing is a bit discouraging for me. I was hoping maybe 3 or 4 months. Oh well, it is what it is.

[Justtex]

I hope you are good right now. I'm very sorry to hear such an experience. I also encountered a similar problem. I had something like kidney stones. I wasn't able to get up of the bed or to move a little. These days were the hardest in my life. A lot of pain and anxiety. My doc prescribed me to take different kratom types. Kratom, or is a traditional herb that’s native to Southeast Asia. It’s one of the most famous herbs that experts recommend for a variety of ailments, thanks to its immense medicinal properties. When you consume the herb, it induces the secretion of feel-good hormones within your body, supplying your muscles with sudden bursts of energy that positively impacts your workouts, while also increasing your sexual vitality. So that's helped me in pain relief. I think my experience will be useful for someone.