C2-3 Fusion Surgery

[Bio]

I had my post-op follow up appointment today. My surgeon had some x-rays taken. He was very happy and said there wasn't much swelling at all. Again, he told me I'm not like many of the other patients. He gave me the go ahead to start training next week, BUT take it easy at first and build back up to where I was. He doesn't want me to have my head pressed hard into a bench or piece of equipment. I told him for now, I can do a lot with cables!

@comedycentral My training hasn't had deads or squats in it for years. The difference for me is that I have Ankylosing Spondylitis and it's painful. So, I'm not the best person to do a straight comparison of surgeries and training ability. I'm not trying to conquer any mountains anymore, I'm just trying to stay in shape but well above the average joe. I will say that there are so many exercises I can do with an adjustable bench along with DB's, cables, etc. and still go hard and leave some of the 20 somethings in my gym wishing they hadn't trained with me!!

@cage99 I'm fused at those levels and a two level lumbar fusion isn't as quick a recovery. Any movement you make activates that area. I needed some down time on that one. Again, it's hard to say where the surgery pain ended and the pain from AS began. The two together was tough. But once you're recovered, you'll be good to go!

 

[cage99]

Dont want to derail bio’s thread but how do you and @Bio train now and what can and can’t you do training wise. I have herniations in l5 s1 and no longer back squat or dead. I have good day and weeks then annoying ones. As we speak I have pain at the top of my right butt cheek that is so annoying. Very restrictive and causes constant pulls in lower back when bending and doing daily stuff

For me deadlifts were a no go for a LONG time. I did A LOT of core work and slowly started bringing back rack pulls into my workouts. I can deadlift now but I’m not doing anything remotely heavy there. I’m talking 225lbx10 at most. Anything more and I’ll be screwed for a period of time.

Also, I cannot leg press anymore. This will cripple me for weeks! I can hack squat though all day without issue. I can squat still be no heavier than 315x10. I use the Kabuki Transformer Bar for all my squats. I rarely feel any discomfort in my low back using this barbell.

I used to not be able to do barbell shrugs either. I can now, but use light weights. I can use heavy dumbbells though without any issues. I attribute me being able to do some of movements by spending a lot of time building my core. Started with just body weight exercises and slowly moved up to weighted versions.

It’s really trial and error and finding what works for you. Took a few years to hone in on what worked for me.

Cage

 

[Bio]

Dont want to derail bio’s thread but how do you and @Bio train now and what can and can’t you do training wise. I have herniations in l5 s1 and no longer back squat or dead. I have good day and weeks then annoying ones. As we speak I have pain at the top of my right butt cheek that is so annoying. Very restrictive and causes constant pulls in lower back when bending and doing daily stuff

If the herniation at L5-s1 is the cause of that pain and keeping you from squatting or doing deads, I would go ahead and fuse it. It's so far down on the spine, you won't notice any restriction in movement. If you do, then it's just a matter of your flexibility.