Racing after ALIF back surgery
Wondering if anyone has returned to racing after L5S1 ALIF Fusion procedure? Obviously, after it’s fully healed, which is 6 months to a year. Im having one soon as that disc has worn out to point of bone on bone, but all other levels have the correct height and space. I plan on taking a full year off regardless if fused at the 6 months and only work on recovery and rebuilding my strength. Curious to know if anyone else has faced this issue before? Thanks.
Last edited by Djorgy20; 12.26.22 at 11:40 AM.
I think the SF 49rs football quarterback, Joe Montana, had two disc fusions and returned to the game after rehab.Originally Posted by Djorgy20
Although I didn't require fusion, I had L5S1 surgery in 1990 due to disc prolapse which had stuck to my right sciatic nerve. This was before keyhole techniques so involved muscle retraction, etc.
Post operatively, the game-changer for me was physiotherapy: Unlike standard immobilisation, my surgeon (who was actually a hand specialist) set up a physio program that was very intense and forward-thinking. It involved a high level of commitment from me as the exercises involved breaking down scar tissue to prevent limitation of movement.
I can only say it was very successful and I was back racing FF just 6 months later and continued to drive various cars subsequently, as well as skiing, motorcycling, etc.
I'm not sure if that helps at all, but spinal surgery isn't necessarily limiting. Good luck with it and stay focussed on the end game!
Thank you
thank you for the reply. I had a similar surgery as you did about 15 years ago. Avoided the fusion and still had the motion. Was back doing everything pretty quickly. Time finally caught up tk me as the disc continued to wear out and now no more space left, which is causing the nerve pain. They are going in through my stomach on this one so should be easier wound site recovery but more concerned about the loads on the fusion and how that works. You are absolutely correct that you have to fully commit to the physical therapy and rebuild. Glad to hear you have been charging strong after surgery. It’s helpful to hear that so thank you!
Blew out a lower disc several years ago. Most pain I’ve ever been in. Finally got the insurance to quit f’n around and got it fixed. Woke up with no pain but still had lack of feeling in part of my foot and azz. Rehab’d as instructed and then some. Was back racing my Superkart in a year with no complications. The key is rehab. It takes work and isn’t easy. If I can drive an unsuspended Superkart I’m sure you could drive a car again.
Haven't had surgery, but do recommend a custom foam/bead seat such as Bald Spot Sports. It might save you from further injury and provide comfort in your car.
https://baldspotsports.com/
“Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty.” -Peter Egan
What type of surgery
thank you for the response! Did you have a fusion? I would agree if you’re doing super kart I should be able to handle an open wheeler.
Thankfully not a fusion. They were able to clean it up. I think the comment on the seat is spot on. I’m more comfortable sitting in my kart than a chair. I plan on having a seat poured for my Supervee rather than just padding for precisely that reason. Merry Christmas and good luck with your procedure.
In early Nov 2015, I had lumbar decompress and fusion of L3/L4. Had only ONE PT appt 6 weeks later - discussed the issues with the therapist and decided to use my own methods.. which involved primarily playing lots of TENNIS. I raced in March 2016 (FV) with no issues .. other than reminant back pain.. which will continue for the rest of my life I'm sure.. but is WAY WAY less pain that I had prior to the surgery. Biggest problem I have now is lack of ability to STAND for extended periods of time (standing in line to VOTE.. or .. for ANYTHING. About 5 minutes is my limit without needing to sit down - but I can play tennis for 5 hours with no real issues(WITHOUT sitting down) .. and I can certainly drive a racecar (including entry/exit) with no significant issues. I say 'no issues'.. but keeping in mind that I'm no longer playing tennis like I did 20 years ago..(big surprise!). I play with an 'elderly group' (like ME - now 73), but am still one of the most active of the group.
As far as movement.. I can no longer bend over and place my PALMS on the floor.. can still touch fingers... but it does 'hurt' a bit
I would do it again in a heartbeat if needed. My pain at that time was ruining my life.
I also had fusion of C1/C2 in late 2017 (have been able to schedule these surgeries after the RACE SEASON in most cases) due to sudden and significant PAIN from a previous injury .. MANY years before. The only real 'issues' I have from that is the inability to turn my head far enough at 'angled intersections' ... anything more than 90 degrees is just not going to happen. I try to avoid such intersections whenever possible. It's also TOUGHER to turn even 45 degrees.. but I can still manage 90..slowly... just no more.
Fortunately, driving race cars doesn't require much twisting in any area along the spine ( I built a nice tight SEAT 'surround').
Basically .. it would depend on your current AGE. The older you are, the longer it's going to take to recover.. but your life will almost always be 'better for it'. I would say that FULL recovery would be in the neighborhood of a year if you are over 60 (I was 65) .. younger than that, GO for it for sure.
I will ad that I have needed.. and received... lower back INJECTIONS about 4 times since that surgery .. but they have worked well - generally for more than a year each. Prior to my lumbar fusion, the back injections had become ineffective - leading to the fusion decision.
I will also add that 'full recovery' is that you have recovered as far as you're ever going to. However, you can be 'back up to racing' in much less if that's a truly important part of your life. The fusion healing takes "only" about 6-8 weeks. The pain will last longer, but I was able to 'tough it through' since the pain level was SO MUCH less than what led me to the surgery in the first place. .. I also NEVER asked the surgical doctor if I was OK to race
I have also had BOTH knees replaced and BOTH shoulders 'surgically repaired'. There is RISK in EVERY surgery.. that's why they have you SIGN THOSE FORMS telling you you COULD DIE! But mine have all been way better result than NOT having them. Of course.. I was a 'spring chicken' when I had mine.
Thank goodness for MEDICARE.
Steve
Steve, FV80
Racing since '73 - FV since '77
Thank you
Merry Christmas as well!
Thank you
In early Nov 2015, I had lumbar decompress and fusion of L3/L4. Had only ONE PT appt 6 weeks later - discussed the issues with the therapist and decided to use my own methods.. which involved primarily playing lots of TENNIS. I raced in March 2016 (FV) with no issues .. other than reminant back pain.. which will continue for the rest of my life I'm sure.. but is WAY WAY less pain that I had prior to the surgery. Biggest problem I have now is lack of ability to STAND for extended periods of time (standing in line to VOTE.. or .. for ANYTHING. About 5 minutes is my limit without needing to sit down - but I can play tennis for 5 hours with no real issues
As far as movement.. I can no longer bend over and place my PALMS on the floor.. can still touch fingers... but it does 'hurt' a bit
I would do it again in a heartbeat if needed. My pain at that time was ruining my life.
I also had fusion of C1/C2 in late 2017 (have been able to schedule these surgeries after the RACE SEASON in most cases) due to sudden and significant PAIN from a previous injury .. MANY years before. The only real 'issues' I have from that is the inability to turn my head far enough at 'angled intersections' ... anything more than 90 degrees is just not going to happen. I try to avoid such intersections whenever possible. It's also TOUGHER to turn even 45 degrees.. but I can still manage 90..slowly... just no more.
Fortunately, driving race cars doesn't require much twisting in any area along the spine ( I built a nice tight SEAT 'surround').
Basically .. it would depend on your current AGE. The older you are, the longer it's going to take to recover.. but your life will almost always be 'better for it'. I would say that FULL recovery would be in the neighborhood of a year if you are over 60 (I was 65) .. younger than that, GO for it for sure.
I will ad that I have needed.. and received... lower back INJECTIONS about 4 times since that surgery .. but they have worked well - generally for more than a year each. Prior to my lumbar fusion, the back injections had become ineffective - leading to the fusion decision.
I will also add that 'full recovery' is that you have recovered as far as you're ever going to. However, you can be 'back up to racing' in much less if that's a truly important part of your life. The fusion healing takes "only" about 6-8 weeks. The pain will last longer, but I was able to 'tough it through' since the pain level was SO MUCH less than what led me to the surgery in the first place. .. I also NEVER asked the surgical doctor if I was OK to race
I have also had BOTH knees replaced and BOTH shoulders 'surgically repaired'. There is RISK in EVERY surgery.. that's why they have you SIGN THOSE FORMS telling you you COULD DIE! But mine have all been way better result than NOT having them. Of course.. I was a 'spring chicken' when I had mine
Thank goodness for MEDICARE.
Steve
thank you for taking the time to reply Steve! Much appreciated! I’m 45 so the comments I’ve gotten is in too “young” for a fusion (even though I know I’m not young ha). I do like the surgeon so far, they have done everything to try and rule things out and im now 4 months without much improvement, even with a couple rounds of injections, PT, chiro and cryo. I appreciate your perspective immensely, thank you!!
Excellent idea!
inwas wondering about this. Is a poured/moulded seat the best or is there a shock absorbing seat of some kind? I not aware of any so thought I’d ask. Thanks!!
1. I learned all the physiological aging musculo-skeletal changes and age caused restrictive normative expected changes years ago....and age has slowly stolen that information away from my memory with a few exceptions > one may retain up to 88% of their grip strength all their life if they'll work at keeping it. Also, the total rotational magnitude of how far one may rotate their head is going to decrease with time naturally........because our ligaments and tendons grow thicker with time.
2. There is a thread somewhere here at ApexSpeed that details all of what I went through and survived about 12 years ago from a shunt at Sebring on the short course. Bills over $250,000...(who knows how much these days....thank you back then to SCCA Insurance...about $250 out-of-pocket).....had a section of bone removed from vertebrae so it wouldn't later impinge on spinal cord....didn't walk for 3 months.....am 1 1/2 inches shorter after crushed vertebrae and had T 8-9-10-11 fused with titanium rods and screws. About a year later, after talking at a race to the Docs & guys at the mobile IndyCar hospital unit and the IndyCar Tech shed and consultation with (God Bless him) Dr. Terry Trammell later at OrthoIndy, I learned of BaldSpot Motor Sports and their EPP seat........BSS built me a $3,000 seat and it's the only way I knew I could dare get into a car again.....mine has a special section under/in-back of my spine made out of something else that's even more suited to impact.......EPP and the special stuff is referred to as multi-impact. Everyone said after such a seat was made, I could dare race again.......and we all said - with no laughter - that I couldn't crash again. I've had a few, if any can be called such, minor ones since and can still wiggle my toes.......in spite of the fact that I drive the same kind of car that Sam Schmidt once raced. An A+B poured polyurethane seat is hard hard hard...I was sitting in one during my shunt at Sebring.....a beat seat would be better.......but stupid me didn't get his foot off the pedal in time, which was the real source of my resulting injury. I did get my thumbs off the steering wheel in time so as to not rip my thumbs to pieces
The poured/molded seats provide support for your entire spine, pelvis, shoulders. That in itself helps keep you from moving around while belted in(and be sure you keep your belts tight). In addition, the foam is sacrificial energy absorbing media in case of an impact. I have heard of individuals molding "backsaver" pads into the pelvis area, but I don't know if that's a good idea. I would consult the folks at BSS. They can come out and mold you a seat and finish it for you.
“Racing makes heroin addiction look like a vague wish for something salty.” -Peter Egan
Wondering what "ALIF" stands for?
In 1993, I ruptured L5S1 which compressed the left sciatic nerve. Subsequent Microdiscectomy (orthoscopic) 6-weeks later...AND...11-months later (re-injured same injury!!!)
Recovery for each was 6-weeks to restricted, light-duty work and about 3-4 months to normal life (albeit, with lifting restrictions and a new mentality toward how I do EVERYTHING).
Was fully back to racing in 1995 and have never looked back (pun intended)
Glenn
I crushed C5 in an accident and now have 5-6-7 fused together (donor bone and plate). I never felt any pain during the process or at anytime since.
My question: Why do you suffer pain at your fusion points after it has healed?
Brian
thanks Brian, I appreciate the response. Maybe I didn’t explain well in my original post, but I haven’t had the operation yet so I’m curious what others have experienced after surgery. I’ve been down for 4 months with nerve pain in my leg and lost almost all disc space at l5s1 to where I can feel bone on bone. However, while waiting for insurance and the process in general I’ve had a little improvement. Yet I’m not near 100% and the disc space is still degenerating (basically trying to fuse itself). I’ve heard good and bad about this operation so asking around so I making the best decision I can make.
Personally, don't think I'm suffering pain in my fused joints. It's an accumulation of other things going on in the lower back area. The fusion fixed MOST of the pain, but not ALL - it fixed the major part which was spinal cord impingement. I still have pain from the joints below L3 .. at least in my case... I also have muscle pain in that area and am trying my best to NOT over stress those muscles too. I can 'feel it' pretty much EVERY DAY.. but the pain is still WAY WAY less than what drove me to the surgery back in '15.
Steve
PS.. I also have no idea what ALIF is :-).
Steve, FV80
Racing since '73 - FV since '77
A l i f
Anterior lumbar interbody fusion
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKpgLDslGoM
Dave Weitzenhof
Me too…
I need to resurrect this thread. In short I’ve been dealing with two prolapsed discs and pain since 2015. I’ve tried every therapy, injection, treatment, medication to no avail. The last two years have gotten exponentially worse to the point I’m very limited physically and only raced once in those two years. Mostly because working on the car was so painful.
I’m going in Thursday for arthroscopic decompression and Laminectomy. I’m 49 and fairly fit (although the last year my workouts have been limited). The thread above gives me a lot of hope and I’m confident about religiously doing rehab. My big question is more immediate: what are the first days like and when can I expect to get around a bit again? A couple days? A week? A month? None of the medical staff are very clear…
Eric,
Although I can't imagine what 'Arthroscopic' back surgery must be like, I had 'internal' lumbar laminectomy a few years back and been VERY happy with the results. It's hard to remember just how 'bad' it might have been the first few days after surgery, the change to me was AMAZING and it happened really quickly. Painwise, when I woke up, I was HAPPY .. due to LACK of pain. However, I was, of course, still 'under the influence' of DRUGS
SO.. to answer your question... assuming 'reasonably good' results - with no complications ... you should be walking comfortably in a few days and be reasonably FUNCTIONAL in 2 weeks. Any intense surgery is something you have to 'pay attention to', but usually, for an otherwise healthy guy, it's a good move. I was ~66? when I had mine. At 50, I would expect you to recover even more quickly than I did. I was back on the tennis court in about 5 weeks .. though still not quite as agile as I once was (but who is?). I'm still playing 3 - 4 times a week and quite active on the court - now at 73 and still going decently well - even though the surgery did little to ENHANCE my skills on the court, it did enable me to PLAY with minimal pain.. though somewhat supplemented via Ibuprofen :-).
As long as you don't end up with 'unexpected PROBLEMS' during the surgery or recovery, you should NOT REGRET it .. even a little bit.
Good luck,
Steve, FV80
Steve, FV80
Racing since '73 - FV since '77
Thanks Steve, that’s good to know and very encouraging.
Eric,Thanks Steve, that’s good to know and very encouraging.
See my previous comment here (message #15).
Both of my microdiscectomies were done arthroscopically via a 2" incision.
Surgeries were approx. 1.5 hours & I was up walking about 4-5 hours after...staying one night was my option.
Prior to surgery, I suffered 6 weeks of non-stop pain down the full length of my left sciatic nerve (intense muscle spasms from butt cheek to ankle).
Waking up, post-op, the bandaging felt like l was lying on a baseball...but was pure heaven because the spasms were gone.
6-weeks p.t. to re-stretch my leg muscles (especially the hamstrings) & some lifestyle adjustments...knock-on-wood, I've been good since summer '94 & was back in the Vee summer '95.
Prayers & best wishes for you.
Glenn
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