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Three spinal fusions. One failed surgery. One emergency operation. And a comeback that is still being written.
— Todd Cutick
Twenty-six years. Three fusions. One person who refused to quit.
Combat support role around nuclear-armed B-52s, exposed to jet fuel, jet exhaust, and solvents.
In the 1980s I served in a combat support role at Mather AFB. I worked around nuclear-armed B-52s and was routinely exposed to jet fuel, jet exhaust, and industrial solvents. The cervical spine problems I would live with for the next four decades trace back to that service.
Service-connected spinal injury leads to a C4-C7 anterior cervical fusion.
The damage from my service caught up with me. I underwent a C4-C7 anterior cervical fusion — the first chapter in a long relationship with spinal surgery. It gave me years of function, and I built a fitness life on top of it.
Progressive difficulty walking, balance loss, and proprioception issues.
About four years ago I started losing my gait and balance. An MRI revealed a major disc herniation at C3-C4, compressing my spinal cord. Two neurosurgeons said the only option was a new fusion stacked above the old one.
Surgery succeeds. I rebuild the ability to walk, run, and train.
The August 2023 C3-C4 fusion went well. I improved significantly — running, lifting, and exercising again. The comeback felt complete.
Same symptoms reappear about ten months later. Two months of PT bring no improvement.
About ten months ago the old symptoms returned: unstable gait, balance problems, and proprioception issues in my legs. I completed two months of physical therapy with no improvement.
Imaging shows the C3-C4 fusion failed; severe compression at T10-T11 confirmed by EMG.
Extensive imaging showed the C3-C4 fusion had failed and the discs were again severely compressing my cervical spine. Additional imaging revealed severe compression at T10-T11, and an EMG confirmed poor nerve conduction emanating from that level as well.
Posterior laminectomy and fusion from C2-C5. T10-T11 fusion deferred.
By early September 2026 I was nearly unable to walk or maintain my balance. The decision was made to perform an emergency posterior laminectomy and fusion from C2-C5. The T10-T11 fusion was deferred until I recover enough to assess urgency.
Surgery successful. Awaiting PT/OT/Rehab. Long-term prognosis still unknown.
The surgery was successful and I am healing well. I am now waiting to begin PT/OT/Rehab to get my legs working again. The long-term prognosis is still unknown — but the work has begun.
Real scans. Real footage. Real recovery. Media will be added as the journey continues.
Todd will add the actual X-rays, MRIs, CTs, walking videos, and OR photo to these slots.
You can overcome very serious medical problems and still get in shape — while honestly recognizing your limitations.
Three fusions and a failed surgery later, I am still standing. A label from an MRI does not write the rest of your story.
Training around limitations — not in spite of them — is the heart of lifelong fitness. The plan changes; the commitment does not.
Filming my walking struggles kept me honest. Public accountability turns recovery from a private grind into a shared mission.
Surgeons, PTs, OTs, family, community. Recovery is a team sport. Refusing help is the only real failure.
Progress, setback, progress. The comeback I built in 2023 is the proof I lean on now. Setbacks are chapters, not conclusions.
If you are facing your own medical comeback, I would like to hear from you.
Reach Out