Exercise and Rehab
Posted on: Tue, 08/12/2008 - 07:25
Swimming post op?

Hi, does anyone know when we are allowed to swim following microdiscectomy L5S1....I am going to Hawaii in 2 weeks, and would like to snorkel...but i need to practice swimming before i go (if i am allowed).

I am 10 weeks post op
Thanks Smile

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Formerfire
L5S1 herniation & sciatica
MicroDiscetomy May 2008


Posted on: Tue, 08/12/2008 - 09:15 #1
Swimming Post Op

The best source for that answer would be your doctor.

When I had my lumbar surgeries, I was told that after 6 weeks, I could use a kick board to swim with. (I had no fusion or hardware).
When I had my cervical surgeries, I was told that I shouldnt go swimming for at least 3 months and then only with a kickboard. Now, 10+ years post cervical surgeries, I still can not swim the normal stroke. I can not turn my head side to side, so instead, I swim with my face in the water and just start swimming away and then bounce out for some AIR!

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Ron DiLauro

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The information provided by members of Spine-Health should never be considered as formal medical advice. It is recommendations based on member's personal experiences only.
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Posted on: Thu, 08/14/2008 - 05:33 #2
Ask him!

Smile hi! you need to ask your doctor about that! you don't want to do anything to ruin a successful recovery! have fun in Hawaii! Jenny Smile

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Double laminectomy L4-L5, bulging discs, DDD, Bone spurs, nerve damage in left leg and hip, DJD, and that to familiar visitor,arthritis

Posted on: Sun, 08/17/2008 - 05:41 #3
Thanks guys! I rang the

Thanks guys! I rang the surgeon and he said I could have started swimming at 6 weeks. So i will get my very unfit butt down to the pool and see if i dont drown.

I am very nervous about going away cause 9hr flight, my nerve is still playing up......then i have a 4 day conference.

Might get some drugs just in case Sad but i dont want to do that/

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Formerfire
L5S1 herniation & sciatica
MicroDiscetomy May 2008

Posted on: Mon, 08/18/2008 - 17:18 #4
swimming

I was given the ok to swim @ 6 weeks but it did not feel comfortable until about 4 months. Now I'm almost 6 months post op and swimming 1/2 mile 3 x a week.
I am surprised your doc is letting you fly on a long flight. My surgeon STAMPED NO on that idea very quickly when i called and asked about flying to Europe@ 4 months. He said maybe at 6 months.
Have a great time in Hawaii. It is awesome!

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L5-S1 fusion with BMP fusion with placement of screws and no rods. 3/11/08

Posted on: Wed, 08/27/2008 - 10:16 #5
I swam today!

3 weeks out from MD at S1/L5 & L4/5.

PT approved 500 yds 3x this week, 3 x 1000yds next week and 3 x 1500yds the following week. Freestyle only, no flip turns.

It felt good, though I was a bit hesitate about rotating at first. Could have gone longer, but followed the plan.

I was consistently swimming 3500-4000 yds 4x a week prior to surgery, so I'm sure that makes a difference.

G

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It's a little like wrestling a gorilla......you don't quit when you're tired, you quit when the gorilla's tired.

Posted on: Mon, 08/18/2008 - 09:59 #6
swimming

Sticking out tongue I had my 360 L5-S1 surgery 14 weeks ago today. I do some home exercises in the pool (asked my PT for help) I do some straight leg raises to the front, side and back. These and some stretching help before the more difficult stuff. I walk in the low end frontwards, backwards and side to side ( about 5 xs with there and back being one time) I do this in the low end. Then I get a kick board and do long laps. As many as I can, some days 4-5 others 8-9. Then I get two pool noodles and put them across my chest/under my arms and just hang in the deep end. I has help my daily endurance for other things, and I get to be outside with my family. Maybe you should get a mask and snorkle at walmart and practice that type of swimming as you feel comfortable in your own pool.

I am still having quite a bit of nerve and back pain. But, I am able to get through it on most days, the lyrica helps. Just do what you can and be safe. Worried

I do have a great lounge chair...so afterwards I have a nice cold iced tea and read for a while! Wink

BTW I would ask for something to bring with you for pain just incase....you don't have to take it if your don't need it.

Anna Big Grin

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Injured at work 9/15/06, Physical therapy, steriod injections, microdiscetomy/laminectomy 2/23/07, back to work 3 weeks later, disc space collapsed, 5/12/08 L5-S1 anterior/posterior inerbody fusion with instrumentaion, anterior plate and revision lamenectomy, Physical therapy started on 7/2/08

Anna

Posted on: Sun, 09/14/2008 - 04:36 #7
Well i took all my meds with

Well i took all my meds with me ( i was loaded up) but the only thing i needed was one lyrica on the flight back. (And i am sure that actually didnt do anything, probably more in my mind).

I took my special back support which helped heaps.

Hee hee.....i actually didnt even ask the surgeon...just got my gp to give me some meds lol. (ooops).

But, i survived and had fun.
(I still slept on the floor in the hotel - crappy soft beds).

Thanks for all your help. I will now attempt to swim laps as i need to work off the steady cheeseburger diet that is prevalent in Hawaii Silly

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Formerfire
L5S1 herniation & sciatica
MicroDiscetomy May 2008