Back Surgery

D

dz

Very Active Member
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1,046
I had back surgery two months ago. I had L-5 fused to S-1. My surgeon assured me by October I would be back to what I was before if not better. I have a back packing elk hunt at the end of October, starting to get nervous. Those out there that have had the back worked on how did it go for you?

DZ
 
I had surgery on my back back in 94, my pain I went through was not worth the risk for me to try anything like a back packing hunt, it took me close to a year to recover fully and it was worth it, surgery is better these days so I can't speak for you, but that is a good recovery. Good luck on your hunt.
 
Let's be blunt. No way should you have planned a backpacking elk hunt within 5 months of having a fusion surgery. Tiger Woods had a micro-discectomy over 6 months ago and one small stumble took his health away. The guy was in great shape before and he still struggles with his back. If I were you, I'd skip the backpack elk hunt. I wouldn't want to deal with long term issues from pushing it.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-05-14 AT 01:51PM (MST)[p]I would probably have to agree with the previous comment in that I'd probably be out hunting, but certainly not out backpacking on an elk hunt with all the weight and strain that entails on even a person who is in perfect shape. Tiger made one wrong move on that bunker shot, lost his balance and jumped down ion the trap further aggravating the issue. Then he played 7-8 more holes of twisting/turning to further screw himself up, possibly forever. I had a 2 handicap for a long period of time, ruptured a lower disc in 1986 by carrying too much weight for my small frame and have hardly played a round since then because my overall quality of life is more important than golf. That accident has limited what I can carry out in the field to under 50# and I make sure I'm careful so I can continue my yearly hunts by not pressing the issue. I'd suggest you do the same and take it easy, unless your Doc is a miracle worker.
 
My dad, who is also my hunting partner, has had 2 back fusion operations. I'm sure he is much older then you, but based on his experience, you honestly have no business doing a backpacking trip as soon as October. I think you are asking for major trouble IMO. Do yourself a favor and skip the backpacking this year.
 
Good Luck, I had back surgery late January Laminectomy L4-L5 and foraminotomy L5-S1. I got cleared to workout several months ago and have been hitting it hard every day since. I was in vary good shape before the surgery so i didnt lose to much during the off months, but I am now doing about 3-4 miles every other day with a 70 lbs pack. I feel it the next day but i'm back at it the day after. I alternate between weight lifting days and cardio (70 lbs pack
) days.

Again Good luck but be careful or you will mess you back up even worse.
 
Talk to your Doctor. I would saw going hunting a big yes, if you are careful. A back pack hunt a big no. You can make adjustments. Good luck.
 
Definitely talk to your doctor. I just had my second back operation in early April. This time around I had a micro-discectomy at the L4-L5 and L5-S1, along with some Stenosis
clean-up. I am feeling pretty darn good and will be ready for hunting. BUT, a fusion is a more serious procedure and takes more time to heal and get back to form. I would be real nervous
about a "Back Pack" hunt. You don't want to re-injure your back!
 
I had a discectomy on the exact vertibra's (spelled wrong I am sure) your talking about last year. I had the surgery over the first week of August, and went on a Uintas backpack goat hunt over 30 miles round trip 6 weeeks later. Felt awesome, and still feel awesome. Granted a fusion is a lot more invasive.

Good luck, my advice is to follow the doctors instructions to a "T".
 
Thanks for all the responses. knthartter your response gives me the encouragement that I was looking for. I am 48 and feel that I will recover fast. I talked to the Surgeon about the hunt prior to surgery and I told him I needed to be able to do 85 lb pack 20 miles a day. He asked me if I could do that now. I said with pain pills I can. He said then you will be able to do it without pain pills in October. I walked 10 miles on a fairly flat road on Friday night. I feel good just no strength yet. Also I have lost 35 lbs that I really needed to. The tag is hard to come by as it takes 4-5 years to get, so I will be going. It is in the Imnaha of Oregon (Eagle Cap Wilderness area). I planned to do it Solo as that has been my way for 32 years, but I have two friends that told me they were coming no matter what I said. Then off to some easy hunting on cow tags in Wyoming in December. :) I am dumb but not stupid. I will follow the doctor orders to the "T"

DZ
 
Anymore after surgery they get ya up and walking so quick. Hunting yes. But I suggest play it safe with a light pack. As stated above ask the doc what he suggest for a weight on the pack.
 
I had a Micro-discectomy last year, end of May. Hunted a lot starting first of September. Getting out and hiking was the best PT I could have asked for. Granted, I didn't ever carry more than 50#, made my buddies carry all the hind quarters :)



2a0fcsk.gif
 
"I needed to be able to do 85 lb pack 20 miles a day."

Well, I wouldn't recommend anyone do that. Just because you can do, doesn't mean you should.

Back injuries vary, as do the surgeries to repair them. We heal at different rates as well. My wife had a cage built on her last one and bone from her hip installed (with synthetic bone). That is a pretty intrusive surgery. Some are only getting a disc shaved and recovery time will be much quicker.

Are you doing physical therapy? Have the physical therapists released you to do other exercises? My wife has had two fusions. She used to run, but she wasn't allowed to run for 6 months post the last surgery and the surgeon strongly discouraged it at all.

She now does CrossFit with a coach who knows his stuff. If you really want to build good all around core, upper body and leg strength, then get a good Olympic and power lifting coach and get to the weights. It will help develop excellent core strength and increases bone density. If you learn correct technique, you will avoid injury and you will find that a lot of the movements are functional movements that you will use daily to avoid further injury. October? Hunt. Don't pack much, if any weight.
 
85 Pound pack for 20 miles a day? Good chance that is why you needed surgery in the first place! Just kidding around.
To clarify because it seems some guys took my Tiger comments as comparing a micro-discectomy to fusion. Micro-discectomies are minor. Fusion is major. They get everyone up and moving after both. Difference is the fusion takes a lot longer to heal and strengthen. You have no strength because you have not healed yet. One stumble with 85 lbs on your back and you are seeing that surgeon again or you might want to try a different one next time. Or maybe you'll be just fine. Either way post pics.
 
I'm hoping for snow to pull out the elk on a sled. No wheels allowed in the wilderness. My buddies will be trying to watch out for me. Remember I said I was dumb. With that usually comes strength because I have done a lot in my life I should have not done. The injury was from a car wreck a few years ago. I never got it checked out at the time. As it turned out I had fractured the L5. It had turned 10 degrees and was pinching everything. They built the cage and used bone from my hip to make the bone graft. Now I have no back pain just nerve pain down one leg. I see the surgeon next week and should get released to start adding weight. I just want to be able to do what I did before. I have to hike 20 miles a day to find a dumb one that will stand there and let me shoot it. Just for fun here is the last one I shot in the Imnaha.
6699elk_imnaha.jpg

7297elk_imnaha1.jpg

I was solo and 6 miles in. Killed the bull just before dark. Packed out through the night. Lost 23 lbs in 26 hours. You can see the weight loss in my face from the first picture to the second one. I'm no Hercules but I do get after it. I do appreciate the concern and the stories of your back experiences. I hope to have many more years of hunting the back country as I do love it.

DZ
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-06-14 AT 07:33AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Aug-06-14 AT 07:24?AM (MST)

I had that identical surgery done 8 years ago come November. They only way I would even think about doing a backpack hunt so quickly after is if you have buddies that are going to carry your pack for you.

Now as for my recovery, I did really good, infact the Dr said it was one of the best he had seen but it was still 6 months before I even thought about lifting more then 20lbs. It is not something you want to mess with. If you do damage while healing you will be in worse shape then before.

I will add that my back is stronger then it had been before the surgery. I had one bad disk and the rest of my back is great.

The best way to recover and be in better shape is to take it easy, I would skip the hunt this year
 
As echoed above - be smart. I have had two discectomies and then finally fused at L5/S1. I would second that getting out and hiking on uneven ground is the best therapy ever - really stretches you out. But even 6 years later, I wouldn't risk that much weight on my back.

I have found ways to hunt with buddies and do more than my share of camp chores to help make up for it not carrying equal weight. And then when animal goes down take many small loads instead the big haul. Be safe - you want to do this again (the hunt, not the surgery).
 
The 85#s and 20 mi,when I was way younger and dumber.

Never had back surgery,but knees and I know folks who deal with back problems now. They used to be like me,and we're all paying these days...I'm 59. Probably only reason I haven't is I started taking it way easy on it.I hunted after knee surgery and before,but not like usual. Only a few miles and not a heavy pack.

If I had just had back surgery,I'd be wary of even swinging on a pack.

If you screw it up,your screwed,IMHO.

5 yrs to draw a tag is nothing these days.
The rest of your life is,well, up to you.
 
This is a depressing thread to read as I'm layed up with a back injury right now. I hurt it about a month ago and it has gotten steadily worse. I saw the doc and then went to the chiropractor. The chiropractor adjusted my back a couple times and now the pain is excruciating and both feet are now numb. Im just waiting for an MRI but I am afraid this one won't be healing itself. I can't walk at all without crutches or a walker. This sucks and bad timing.
 
>This is a depressing thread to
>read as I'm layed up
>with a back injury right
>now. I hurt it about
>a month ago and it
>has gotten steadily worse. I
>saw the doc and then
>went to the chiropractor. The
>chiropractor adjusted my back a
>couple times and now the
>pain is excruciating and both
>feet are now numb. Im
>just waiting for an MRI
>but I am afraid this
>one won't be healing itself.
>I can't walk at all
>without crutches or a walker.
>This sucks and bad timing.
>


It's really too bad that you let a guy adjust you before xrays and an MRI were done. I've been going to a chiropractor once a month since I ruptured a disk in 1986 and they wouldn't touch me until all that was done to make exactly sure what was going on. I hope they can correct things for you without major surgery now! I'm praying for you man because I know how you're feeling, as when I ruptured that disk in my lower back I couldn't even fart without almost passing out.
 
Topgun you are right, in the back of my mind I was worried about him adjusting me without xrays but I figured he must know what he's doing.

My back was so out that I was completely tilted to the left and must have been a couple inches shorter. My back is straight now but I can't even stand or walk on my own without tipping over. I'm just hoping to get it fixed soon. I doubt I will make the archery elk hunt this year bit hopefully i will be back to normal for the muzzy deer hunt.
 
I've had three back surgeries since 2005. No fusions, two L4-5 discetomies and, an L3-4 done in March. Nine years ago at age 50, it was easier for the recovery. This time is much harder!

I have backpacked hunted for many years and backpacked most of my life. Just because you can do it, think twice before doing it, as there are many hunts to come in your life and pushing it for a single hunt and hurting yourself is not worth it.

Ed
 
>This is a depressing thread to
>read as I'm layed up
>with a back injury right
>now. I hurt it about
>a month ago and it
>has gotten steadily worse. I
>saw the doc and then
>went to the chiropractor. The
>chiropractor adjusted my back a
>couple times and now the
>pain is excruciating and both
>feet are now numb. Im
>just waiting for an MRI
>but I am afraid this
>one won't be healing itself.
>I can't walk at all
>without crutches or a walker.
>This sucks and bad timing.
>

Oh boy, I hope you did not further damage your back. It sounds like you will be getting some epidurals soon.
I know all to well what the pain feels like.
Good luck with it and play it safe.
 
>I had back surgery two months
>ago. I had L-5
>fused to S-1. My
>surgeon assured me by October
>I would be back to
>what I was before if
>not better. I have
>a back packing elk hunt
>at the end of October,
>starting to get nervous.
>Those out there that have
>had the back worked on
>how did it go for
>you?
>
>DZ

As long as your doc/physical therapist are aware of your plans things should be OK.

In had the same fusion on my back in April then had my neck fused in May a few years ago. Plenty of time for me to get in shape for a non pack in hunt.
 
>This is a depressing thread to
>read as I'm layed up
>with a back injury right
>now. I hurt it about
>a month ago and it
>has gotten steadily worse. I
>saw the doc and then
>went to the chiropractor. The
>chiropractor adjusted my back a
>couple times and now the
>pain is excruciating and both
>feet are now numb. Im
>just waiting for an MRI
>but I am afraid this
>one won't be healing itself.
>I can't walk at all
>without crutches or a walker.
>This sucks and bad timing.
>

This is because you made the mistake of going to a quack. apologies to any Chiropractors on the board. But I ahve seen so much damage done to people by these guys that think they can adjust and crack your back in to being better I would never advice anyone going to one.
 
>>This is a depressing thread to
>>read as I'm layed up
>>with a back injury right
>>now. I hurt it about
>>a month ago and it
>>has gotten steadily worse. I
>>saw the doc and then
>>went to the chiropractor. The
>>chiropractor adjusted my back a
>>couple times and now the
>>pain is excruciating and both
>>feet are now numb. Im
>>just waiting for an MRI
>>but I am afraid this
>>one won't be healing itself.
>>I can't walk at all
>>without crutches or a walker.
>>This sucks and bad timing.
>>
>
>This is because you made the
>mistake of going to a
>quack. apologies to any
>Chiropractors on the board.
>But I ahve seen so
>much damage done to people
>by these guys that think
>they can adjust and crack
>your back in to being
>better I would never advice
>anyone going to one.


Nice overgeneralization. Thats like saying all utards are idiots because you saw a few come up to wyoming and do dumb stuff.

It sounds like a MRI should have been taken and that doc goofed up.
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-14 AT 11:17AM (MST)[p]>>>This is a depressing thread to
>>>read as I'm layed up
>>>with a back injury right
>>>now. I hurt it about
>>>a month ago and it
>>>has gotten steadily worse. I
>>>saw the doc and then
>>>went to the chiropractor. The
>>>chiropractor adjusted my back a
>>>couple times and now the
>>>pain is excruciating and both
>>>feet are now numb. Im
>>>just waiting for an MRI
>>>but I am afraid this
>>>one won't be healing itself.
>>>I can't walk at all
>>>without crutches or a walker.
>>>This sucks and bad timing.
>>>
>>
>>This is because you made the
>>mistake of going to a
>>quack. apologies to any
>>Chiropractors on the board.
>>But I ahve seen so
>>much damage done to people
>>by these guys that think
>>they can adjust and crack
>>your back in to being
>>better I would never advice
>>anyone going to one.
>
>
>Nice overgeneralization. Thats like saying all
>utards are idiots because you
>saw a few come up
>to wyoming and do dumb
>stuff.
>
> It sounds like a MRI
>should have been taken and
>that doc goofed up.


Well said CF!!! In my particular case I wouldn't let anyone touch me until full xrays and an MRI were done. I had consultations with an Orthopedic Surgeon and the top Neurosurgeon in Kalamazoo. Both agree in my case the best treatment was regular chiropractic adjustment to align my spine and keep it there. I've been having that done once a month since 1986 and can immediately tell a positive difference every time I'm adjusted. The days when most Doctors hated Chiropractors is over and Chiropractic is now known to be a very positive thing for people with certain problems to eliminate going under the knife. Like all professions, there are good and bad ones and I'd have to say that if one did adjustments on our member before xrays and MRI were done that he may have graduated last in his class!
 
LAST EDITED ON Aug-08-14 AT 12:31PM (MST)[p]dz,
My father had a lumbar fusion at 3 levels, about 8 months ago. He is active and played golf 4-5 times a week, he followed his surgeon and therapy orders. The fusion didn't completly heal at one level and a screw broke. He had surgery again 3 weeks ago, new hardware. Another 6 months of NO golf.

I'm an Occupational therapist that specializes in UE rehab. I'm not a back rehab specialist, but I would not recommend hiking 20 miles with a pack heavier than 30 lbs and that is onlt if the fusion is good and you have good strength and conditioning. It is not worth the risk doing long heavy back packing, IMO.

Just like it wouldn't be wise to haul a horse trailer, full of horses and gear up steep mountins with an older half ton pickup truck, it is not wise to carry heavy loads for long periods of time on a back fusion. Good luck snd let us know how you do.
 
Dude: I feel for you.....and your passion to hunt...BUT....you should seriously consider what these guys are telling you....backpacking isn't worth a chance of injuring yourself further....unless your Tiger Woods and if you stopped doing what you do best today and have mega bucks in the bank.....take a break and or tone down your 2014 hunt.

Good luck and stay healthy.
Don't ask the question unless you can handle the answer. :)

))))------->
 
Once again thanks for all the responses. The question I asked was others that had backs worked on how was their experience. I didn't ask if everyone thought I should go or not. I will be going just not sure what I will be able to do. I do not want to tear myself up. But the passion is in my blood not my brains. Thanks again to all my MM friends.

DZ
 
lead a pack horse in, it would be thing to do carry your pack and your elk out. Be safe and not sorry. Next year you can be back it full bore.

"I have found if you go the extra mile it's Never crowded".
>[Font][Font color = "green"]Life member of
>the MM green signature club.[font/]
 
Hi All,

I am new to this site/forum and looking for some support on how I treat a 6 point red deer stag in Velvet.... I am comfortable cleaning skull, etc, Preserving the Velvet is the advice I really need.... ?

Formaldehyde seems the best option but the head is nearly 48 hours old and time is against me to source chemicals/materials to treat.

Much appreciated

Mark
 
>Once again thanks for all the
>responses. The question I
>asked was others that had
>backs worked on how was
>their experience. I didn't
>ask if everyone thought I
>should go or not.
>I will be going just
>not sure what I will
>be able to do.
>I do not want to
>tear myself up. But
>the passion is in my
>blood not my brains.
>Thanks again to all my
>MM friends.
>
>DZ

Yours was really a loaded question because it doesn't matter what others have experienced with back surgery. Each person is an individual with different problems and recuperative powers. At 48 years old I can't imagine that after major back surgery 2 months ago that you're willing to risk the rest of your life and I'm not talking your hunting career, but rather the quality of the rest of your entire life and what you might not be able to do just for one hunt that you say only takes a few years to draw the tag. I hope you change your mind and don't carry other than very minimal weight for your frame and either do as Gator mentioned or let others carry all the extra weight you'll need to do the hunt so you don't come back here in November with bad news for us!
 
As Gator said, rent a pack horse (or a couple of pack goats) and let them do your carrying for you.
 
>Hi All,
>
>I am new to this site/forum
>and looking for some support
>on how I treat a
>6 point red deer stag
>in Velvet.... I am comfortable
>cleaning skull, etc, Preserving the
>Velvet is the advice I
>really need.... ?
>
>Formaldehyde seems the best option but
>the head is nearly 48
>hours old and time is
>against me to source chemicals/materials
>to treat.
>
>Much appreciated
>
>Mark

Welcome to the site Mark! You would be best to at least start your own thread to ask for help, rather than come in on a thread like this. IMHO you probably should take it to a local taxidermist to let them treat it if it's already been 2 days since it was taken. I have no idea how quickly it needs to be treated, but a quick google search should tell you what you need to know, rather than waiting for answers on a website!
 
Well I thought it might be a good idea to report back on my hunt. I'm guessing others will go through what I have and will be looking for advice such as I did. A month and a half ago I didn't think I was going to be able to go at all. I had pneumonia for over 3 months and took four different kinds of Antibiotics. A month ago I turned the corner and hit the ground running. I felt like I could carry a hundred pounds. But listening to everyone I invited my two oldest sons and a friend to help me pack camp back in. Having a camp six and a half miles up in the wilderness really cut down on the miles I would travel each day. I went four days before the season opened and spent the time looking for a specific bull that would have been worthy of MM. Not finding him made me realize that I am a meat hunter first. I saw about 40 bulls with more than half being spikes. Two real good 6 point bulls were high up on a ridge 3 miles from camp. They were in a herd of over 100 animals. Each morning they were spread out over a half of a mile. That many eyes, ears, and noses had me really concerned to go at them in the morning. Each of the last two evenings they came down the same trail to feed out on an open hill side. I did not think there was a very good chance that I would have them all to myself. I decided I would shoot the first branch bull that gives me a good shot. My buddy showed up Tuesday night and I showed him the elk and told him my plan. We left camp two and a half hours before light. As it got light we had elk above us on the ridge. With a poor wind we decided to go around the ridge and see if we couldn't wait till afternoon to ambush them on the trail. About a half of a mile farther we had elk bugling out in front of us and cows calling below us. We started seeing elk out in front of us about 800 yards out. We kept moving till we spotted 2 branch bulls about 400 yards, I wanted 300 or less. Kept going till the main part of the herd started to move. With a 4 foot tree laying down for a perfect rest I made my way to it. Shot was about 250. The bigger bull was straight away so I took the smaller 5X5 that give me a quartering shot. My back did great. My heaviest pack only went about 65 pounds. I hiked about 50 miles in the six days. It was great to make it out there and enjoy what God has created for us.

DZ
6787don_cell_11_2_2014_065.jpg
 
Way to persevere and overcome! Looks just like my bull! Don't like that sweatshirt though! Go CSU Rams!:D congrats!
 
Congrats on your bull!
You were smart to play it safe after a short period from back surgery. Now you have a whole year to really heal and be in better shape for the next hunt.
 
Congrats on success, great report. Next year will be even better.

from the "Heartland of Wyoming"
 

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