At your young age, i would first check out all alternatives to fusion. That being said, i am the queen of fusion., Through many surgeries and for many reasons i am now fused from C4 thru L4. I am having surgery again on Thursday to fix 2 fractures in my lumbar spine and add L4-5 to the fusion mass. I do Ok with all the fusions. Some for scoliosis so bad that it was effecting my breathing, one biggie for a broken neck. I do go hiking about 4 times a week, also have major pituitary problems which is why right now i do not exercise more, but it is all possible. The only reason i gave up trail running is do to my right hip replacement of 2008. I'm not sure my spine surgeon would want me to any more, but everything else is ok with him .
Others will hopefully come on and tell you about alternatives to fusion . I have had poor bone density and never was a candidate.
Judy
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2007 ACDF 4-7
2008 hip , knee scope, hip replacement
2009 thoracic T-5 thru T-11fusion
2009 VATS T7-8, posterior only T11-12. removal of thoracic hard wear
2010 lung surgery
2010 T2-L2 kyphosis correction
2010 Kyphoplasty T-3, T-4
2011 Cervical osteotomy ,revision C4-T5
2011 Foot surgery
2011 Revision fusion T7 thru L4/laminectomy
2012 Hammertoe correction left foot
2012 Revision fusion T-12 thru L5
2012 Revision fusion L4-L5
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