cervical fusion; can a person do EVERYTHING (s)he used to do?

[Deja Q]

Like going on roller coasters, get massages, etc?

Just curious. thx!

[bleedingheart]

1. but you might not be able to turn you head fully

that is why my neurosurgeon recommended PT over the fusion which I may need in a few more years...

[Ladyhawk]

4. Tried PT many times. It helps for awhile. :) n/t

[mcscajun]

2. Massages from trained therapists, yes.

From amateurs, no.

Roller coasters are probably OUT, sorry.

I got PT year before last for degeneration in the cervical spine; surgery is the very, very last thing I want, 'cause it would limit rotation.

[Ladyhawk]

3. I've been in a lot of pain from mine lately (four months out).

It was better before I took off the collar. I think I should have done it more gradually, but I didn't...stupid Ladyhawk. The muscles in my neck are SO fucked up. I desperately need a massage. :(

[mikebl]

5. fusion

Had my first cervical fusion in '89 and everything went fine. Was off for about 6 weeks and went back to work. i'm an ironworker so I had to be careful for a few months. problem came back again around last Sept. This time it was C5-C6, before it was C4-C5. I thought that i would lose a lot of my motion turning my neck sideways. So far it really not to bad, though I have lost a little of the turning of my neck. I can still turn my neck enough to check cars around me when I drive. Still have a little discomfort back there during the daybut the Doc said that being 15 yrs older, I just don't heal up like when I was 40.
good luck if you're thinking about surgery.