Back Surgery and Neck Surgery
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Sun, 11/01/2009 - 20:40
Post Surgery Workouts
Ok, I had an L5/S1 fusion 12 days ago. I got my staples out about 4 days ago. My first return visit and Zray appointment is a week from tomorrow. In the meantime I amdoing what the Doctor ordered and that is walk, walk, walk.. Let me tell you I am so happy and proud of what I am capable of doing just 12 days after the procedure I went through. If you would of asked me 10 days ago if I thought I would be up and about like I have been the last 3 days I would of said your a NUTS!! So this takes me to my question.
Tomorrow I am going to the gym to walk laps on the track. Would it be horrible if I did ANY type of light weight workout that has nothing to do with the back or putting pressure on my spine? I am talking thing like seated curls with LIGHT weights, maybe some light band exercises that do not consist of me bending or twisting? Now please remember, I am not talking about squats or crazy things like that, I am saying "simple" exercises where I am not put in any type of position to put pressure on my lower back.
What do you all think?
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I'm not going to give you the response you'd like, but maybe someone else will. I think you would be taking a big risk to do anything more than what the doctor has cleared you for. You are still very early in the healing process and it would be a shame to do anything that would jeopardize what you've accomplished so far.
Would you have to use your arms for any of these exercises? Any movement of the arms or head will cause movement in the spine, albeit slight.
Just to be on the safe side, if I were you, I would want until after your appointment next week when you can speak with your surgeon.
spondylolisthesis at L4-5; stenosis at L3-4 and L4-5
radiculopathy for about 3 years
PLIF (L4-L5)in Jan '08 (PEEK cage, rods & Screws, BMP); continued radiculopathy....
Lami-foraminotomy L5-S1 Jan '09; continued radiculopathy;
Bulging discs L3-4 & L5-S1; crazy screwed-up S1 nerve
***** I have no medical training and am in no way connected with the medical profession, other than doing my part to keep them at full employment. My posts are based on personal experience and knowledge gained through the adventures of living. Take them for what they are worth....
agree with Gwennie. You've just been through a nasty surgery and, although you're doing extremely well, do you really want to go through it again? Don't push your luck. Take the time to rest and heal. You can be the he-man when the doc says it's okay.
Linda
Ruptured discs L3/4, L4/5, L5/S1 May 2007
One ESI in 2007 with lots of PT
Microdiscectomy and foraminotomy L5/S1 December 2007
Worsening of symptoms (back pain, sciatica, right leg weakness) June 2008
New MRI and Discogram show all three discs torn through the annulus, left to right, all three levels
2 ESIs unsuccessful in managing pain
PT, Duragesic pain patch and percocet for break-through
Was told nothing could be done for me because I had three levels and DDD
Given option of three-level fusion after being told nothing could be done
Surgery was November 19, 2008 fusing L3/4 to S1
Attempted PLIF (from both sides) on November 19th.
Rods and pins were placed, but scar tissues prohibited removal of the old discs.
On November 24th, I had ALIF (opened from top of pubic bone to the bottom of my left ribcage) and removed the torn discs, placed dowels with cadaver bone, and some of my own bone marrow mixed with BMP. I left the hospital on the 26th of November.
Currently suffering temporary (hopefully) nerve damage of both legs and total numbness of right foot. Strange tingling in both feet at 4.5 months out of surgery. Numbness still exists in right foot at almost 9 months out.
Weaned off Fentanyl patches and only take occasional percocet for pain.
Gwennie and Linda are giving you good advice. If this is something you still want to do, I would suggest just calling the doctor's staff in the morning before going to the gym. Explain what you want to do, and the nurse will either clear you for it or tell you it is best to wait until you see the doc. It would be so very easy to hurt yourself at this point, so please remember to follow doctor orders. You don't want to be still hanging around this website 3 years post op because things didn't heal like they were supposed to.
No smile is as beautiful as the one that struggles through the tears.
I agree with the others.
I only had microdiscectomy and was told no weights. I even asked at week 2 and they looked at me like I was crazy. I pressed them . . .and they explained that my core needed time to heel so please not to lift, especially over my head.
I would wait the extra week and then talk to dr.
Oh you gave me a flashback with this one! I couldn't wait to get back into the gym and when I found I could walk like crazy and felt better and better, the temptation was unbelievably strong to just do some light weights. STUPID!!! I wound up tearing some internal stitches and set myself back a bit. Even machines and light weights will engage muscles that have recently been insulted. Let your doc give you the thumbs up before you give the gym a whirl.
Glad to hear you feel so good!
"C"
"The way I see it, if you want the rainbow, you gotta put up with the rain. "
- Dolly Parton
Just walk
Awaiting 3 level Anterior Lumbar Fusion L3-S1.
Car accident at 15yrs old, percutaneous discetomy at 16yrs (L4-L5)
Reinjure in 2000 L3-S1 bulging and torn
Birth of son in 2008, reinjure L3-S1 to point of leg numbness, lots of pain, unable to lift child at times,
Meds- Cymbalta, Baclofen,Celebrex, Vicodin/or Percocet
The doc will pass you along to a PT a few weeks post-op. Do EXACTLY what he tells you that you can do or not do. Discs take 3 months to heal and nerves can take up to one year.
You can usually get back and do most of what you used to do as long as the tensions on the back are controlled (i.e. probably no double black diamond skiing etc). but you have just had major, major surgery and rushing a return to activity prior to professional clearance is just not prudent.
I have decided to take everyones advice and just WALK! I am 13 days post L5/S1 surgery and I made it 2 miles yesterday! I was so pumped that I could go that far! I have a Dr's appointment Monday and will ask him then about any type of light weight lifting. I hope he sets me up with a good PT..