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October 2, 2009 - 4:27pm
ajamieson
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Joined: 09/30/2009
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My fitness future?

Hi All,

I am a very athletic 44 yo woman. I was thrown from my horse and fractured L2-L5 and have spondo in the lumbar spine as well. I've always been very athletic - running, cycling, weight lifting (pretty heavy duty) and riding horses. I am wondering what my future holds in terms of exercise. I've been walking (slowly, it takes me about 16 minutes to walk a mile right now!) but when can I get back to my normal very active self? I was thrown on Monday night so I know it hasn't been long but this is the longest I've gone without intense physical activity.

Thank you.

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October 2, 2009 - 5:06pm
#1
ernurse
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Joined: 06/22/2008
Posts: 822
Points: 1674
Ajamieson

First of all, I am glad you did get into a specialist!

What does the specialist say about it? I know they don't have crystal balls, but he's the one looking at your xrays. I do think that part of anyone's recovery depends on motivation, and you seem extremely motivated. However, remember that you just were injured, don't overdo it right now, you do need to heal a little(unless your doc has OK'd walking a mile less than 1 week after fracturing 4 vertebrae!)

Your motivation is incredible, but I think one of the hard things to learn in a spine problem is patience. I would not give up on being active later. It seems like you have found ways to exercise even with pain(I think you posted you stopped running due to bad knees and so took up cycling, right?) Sometimes with spine issues you take 2 steps forward and 1 step back.

Listen to you body's pain signals and your doctor. Be honest with your doc about what you are doing and what he thinks you should be doing. Ask if he thinks a structured physical therapy program might be best initially(maybe even aqua therapy since your knees are bad) or if you need to take it slow so that you can have best recovery and be active later. Do remember that pain is the body's way of saying to slow down.

You really are an inspiration to spineys, your motivation is incredible!!! Please continue to post your recovery.

_____________

"If you ever need holding, call my name, I'll be there. If you ever need holding, no holding back, I'll see you through..." Jackson Browne, whose poetry in lyrics and music have seen me through so many years.

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