Fused L3/L4 spinal segments

by Mandy Davis
(Lincoln, England)

Hi Sarah

In 1997 I had my L3/L4 vertebrae fused together at the age of only 20 years old. I am now 39 and live with daily chronic pain, spasms and stiffness. Alongside this I have Fibromyalgia. I practiced yoga for many years until one time my muscles spasmed in my lower spine and I couldn't walk until the spasms eased off. Since then I come back to yoga but find afterwards I have awful pain in my thoracic spine and sacriolic area. This pain gets so bad I end up curling up in the childs pose in the middle of the night as this relives it. I have been assuming that the discs above and below my fusion are now degenerating, but wondered why this could be and what exercise I should be doing, as yoga has definately mobilised me but is causing so much pain. A chiropractor did say she thought my mobility was too great in the lumbar region considering it is fused so I am confused about what I should and shouldn't be doing. Can you give some general advice on what clients should be doing post operative fusion please.
Many thanks
Mandy

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Feb 15, 2014
 Still stuck
by: Mandy

Hi Sarah

Thankyou for replying to me. I do those exercises you have directed me to, as this has been over many years. So it is still tricky.
I did do yoga for years and feel this has made me worse now as I also have a frozen shoulder and impingement. I know you advocate yoga but obviously this isn't for me then.
I do exercise dvds and do lower impact versions and exercises such as boxing style along with weights for strength training. I think maybe this is only way for me.
Feb 15, 2014
 Sarah
by: Anonymous

Hi Mandy,
With a lumbar fusion at L3-4 you tend to get 'over-movement' above and below. For this reason, you have to be careful what yoga you are doing, as some yoga pushes you too far. You need to be careful with your back, but you ABSOLUTELY must keep moving and strong.
You could not do better than starting carefully with my appeasing exercises, see back pain exercises

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