Hey Mate - I've had the alternative - Ceramic Disc replacement (C6/7) and I was kiting 3 months after that. The surgeon did give me the option for a fusion and seemed to indicate that it would be business as usual. He knows I kite. Not sure about lower down maybe best to check with the doc.

ers said..
I'm curious to know if anyone has been able to successfully resume kitesurfing after spinal fusion surgery? I've got a L4/5 disc prolapse, have had a discectomy already and may require fusion surgery and so am hoping to learn from other people experience. Thanks

mate i feel your pain, 1st get some solid advice prior, quentin malone at ord st and gabriel lee, both gave me honest proffesional advice, after being told i needed a fusion they advised against it, 4 years on with managing my work balance im better than ive been for a long while, jason potts from gero physio is worth chatting to, he helped me get on the correct exercise regime ( jason has had a lower fusion) so knows how we feel, do your research, the impala interspinouse implant has had huge success without fusions, chiro trev on seabreeze is also worth having a meeting with to discuss, good luck with everything,

swamp fox said..
Hi ERS


I had Spinal Fusion Surgery March 2012 L2-L3-L4 & L5 . I had bone on bone ( Degenerative Disc Disease ) . Fusion done by Orthopedic Back Surgeon ( screws and rods ) . Resumed kiting August 2012 after checking with Surgeon . Kite with seat harness no jumps Dr's orders

Don't listen to doctors

And shagging I've heard helps

Hey mate
I went down Cauncey's path for 4 years and tried everything possible to manage it and avoid surgery. Everyone's situation is different.
It ended up progressively getting worse to a point I couldn't work or play. Sometimes when bad I couldn't walk.
I did a lot of research and ended up biting the bullet and going with a complete disc replacement in L5 S1. I think back surgery has come a long way in 10 years and success rates are heaps higher.
Although I still have problems from time to time I do not take medication very often and quality of life is heaps better. I gave up my trade (quite physical trade). I can surf no problem. I can kite but do have a bit of a confidence thing doing anything extreme so get bored quite easily. So I tend to surf more. My surgeon didn't say no to kiting. He said take it in small steps and dont push it. I read a study done in the US analyzing a group of athletic people after disc replacement surgery and most of them got back into the activity they were doing pre surgery. One guy was a professional weight lifter and he managed to get back into it (cant understand why you would, but he did)
Life is good. definitely do your research. Be careful what you take from the internet on forums with people talking about there surgery. (bad back forums) I dont think the success stories sit around writing on forums, they are out enjoying life.
Hope this helps
Good luck

Also had the surgery and took up kiting soon after with excellent results. For me a seat harness is terrible. No support where you need it and the tendency to fold you in two (backwards) in a powered crash.