dockrocker

Been out of performance boating for a number of years, and am now wondering if it may be too late. Broke my L1 vertebrae this spring and had a decompressive lumbar laminectomy fusion to correct it - basically, most of aisle 5 from Ace hardware is in my back holding things together. Turns out the root cause of the bone weakness is a cancer called multiple myeloma, so I'm doing treatment for that right now.

The good news is that the cancer prognosis is excellent and I'm expected to make a full recovery. I am, hover, concerned that the back surgery may prevent me from getting another offshore. I've been kicking around the idea of an 18-24 hot rod boat to just dink around with but I'm now wondering if that is an option. Anyone boat after back surgery? If so, what is your experience?

Thx,

Dock

3pointstar

Hey guy glad to learn that you are on the mend. That had to be one heck of an ordeal. I'm in the orthopedic manufacturing side of the world. So I know exactly the hardware you are speaking about. I likewise have had some back issues. No where near what you experienced and don't really do the offshore stuff. Don't have the performance boat. However we do have
a chance to go on Lake Michigan once and a while and get bounced around. I would suggest that you speak with your orthopedic guy/gal and see what they have to say. The spine stuff is rather tricky and you don't want to penny wise and pound foolish. I know if it looks like we are going to hit a larger wave I try to stand and use the legs as shock absorbers.

All the best

3pointstar

Hook'em

+1. I'd see what your Dr. has to say about it.

I'm 14 months out from pro disk implant in my neck C6. I went with the prosthesis over a fusion at the direction of Doc Janssen in Denver. I'd be concerned about the disks surrounding the fusion as they are now under more load than before. I'd think you'd be way better off, if you get clearance, to be in a boat standing so you can use your legs. A sit down with less dead rise won't be nice to your back in anything but glass.

Doc said six weeks "full contact with my procedure. It was six months before I had the balls to run "hard" (as a Baja will). Even though it felt 100% as soon as I woke up. I went for a 60 mile Cig Top Gun ride at 70 right down the middle of LOTO with 65 other Cigs a couple of weeks ago. It's definitely been tested now.

Good luck man. Great to hear you're winning.

Pete35Fountain

I had L5S1 removed when I was 22, I'm 58 now. At that time they just removed the herniated disc and did nothing to fill the void. The theory was the vertebrae would fuze themselves. Recently the back has been acting up along with arthritis in both knees, the left requiring custom bracing to delay the replacement. Aleeve the day before, and the day of seems to be the bandaid. MRI is scheduled for Sept, which I expect will not be a good result, but with that said, been there already so it isn't gonna stop me. The throttles and bolster controls are at my left hand and some common sense...the sharp jabbing pain of nerves being jarred speaks volumes...time to slow down.
Best wishes for your return to a level of health that permits the fun factor. Be safe.

Saratoga Stamped

I am a spine surgeon, and perform this surgery daily
I have taken care of boating enthusiast, and boat racers from around the globe

Give me a call some time,,,,,
Doc Janssen
Center for Spine and Orthopedics
Denver
303 287 2800

Check out article in Speed on the Water

http://speedonthewater.com/in-the-ne...JlIGJhY2siXQ==

ba17a

doc janssen fixed my back after a race car accident I was back on dirt track in 3 months poker running in cig and now racing a 26 ft velocity not a great riding boat for your back don't let that stop the things you enjoy doing Billy Allen DM IA

3pointstar

I was hoping you were going to chime in -- I was at our summer place and could only play with my phone and couldn't do a good search for your screen name. All the best

3pointstar

Saratoga Stamped

Billy .....
You stopped smoking, .... lost 40#,.......... stopped drinking, ..............quit taking the Viagra,,,,,,,,,,all that is left is that new read race boat for you and your son,,,,,,

Good luck this season ,,,,,,

370ss500efi

13 years ago I crashed dirt bike into a tree, blew apart my T12. Paralyzed from waist down since.
I had a fusion from T9-L3, that's an impressive X-ray to see... I've been boating, riding atv's, snowmobiles, skiing since. My back hurts for sure but not enough to stop me from enjoying life. I would think you will be fine but everyone is different. Good luck and get back out there

Interceptor

Posterior Cervical laminectomy c3 through c7 plus two fusions. First year was tough, fine now.