Core excersizes after spinal fusion

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clasact1956

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Any tips on what types of excersizes I can do to strengthen my core after my l4, l5 spinal fusion. I had the surgery 3 wks ago. I have to go for physical therapy but until I go back to work and find a physical therapy place, I thought I would get a jump start.

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Actually, at 3 weeks post op you shouldn't be doing ANY core strengthening exercises. Ask your surgeon, but at 6 weeks they may allow you to do some very mild core engagement exercises, but not full blown core strengthening until around 6 months post op. You don't want to risk your fusion by not following your surgeon's orders.

The best thing you can do right now is walk, walk, walk. This helps keep the blood flowing and helps you heal faster, as well as giving you some cardio exercise.

I went to PT 6 weeks post op from an L4/L5 fusion, and my PT had me do a lot of leg/arm strengthening exercises with a stepper. Also, we did light engagement of the core muscles centered on pilates principles.
 
Wants me to start in two weeks. Probably core toning. I am back to work this coming monday full time after being out only 3 wks. I am down to one vicadin alternating with two extra strength Tylenol throughout the day. I am still in some pain but really want to get off the meRAB b4 I go back to work.. Dont want to be sleeping at my desk, he he. I usually sit all day but my boss will work with me on doing other things and also getting up every hour to take a break and walk. My doc thinks I should go back part time but I need the money and going through a divorce. Dont worry.... I am progressing very well and not overdoing anything. If I cant make it through the whole day, I will go home.

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Sorry about the divorce. Seeing that work is important, why don't you take a comforter and small pillow to work. Find a corner or empty room and lay down for 15 minutes when you start getting sore or fatigued. If your boss is working with you it shouldn't be a problem.

I would lay down behind my desk until the achi-ness(new word!) would dissapate. While we had an empty room with desks, I would lay on top of the desks..easier to stand up for me.

This should tide you over during the day until you can get home. You will be absoluted exhausted the first week. Why not try - say 5 hours the first week, then 6 the next, then go full time. I actually started at 4 hours for two weeks, then 6, then full days. This was the set up my surgeon decided on for me. But I digress. If you go part time the first week, it will give you a chance to get back into the swing of things...plus if you start therapy, that will take alot out of you that you don't even realise, and you will time for a nap.;)
good luck and keep me posted....
 
Not a bad idea. My boss stated that I could use my PTO and work shorter
hours to start if I wanted. I guess I will see how it goes the first day. Part of me wants to work all day to take my mind off the impending divorce because he still lives with me and wont leave until the end so its too painful to be home living with someone I cant even talk to for the next 3 mos.

Thanks for all the info from all of you. I am amazed how quickly I am recovering. Today I only took one vicodin (hydrocodone). One tip I can give anyone who wants to listen. The sooner you get up and start walking even if its painful and you just cant muster the strength to do it, just do it because the sooner you will recover and the pain will disapate.

One other question, any experience mood swings from this drug and some depression? The last few days all I keep doing is crying. I havent cried since my mom died in 1998. Now I cant seem to stop.

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What core exercises should you be doing? NONE! Unless you are trying to ruin all the work that your surgeon just did? Remeraber the no BLT? They would add core exercises to that list.... Not until you have a therapist that teaches you the right way and how...and it probably won't be til 6/7 months. Starting now would be a ump start back to the doctor....

Do yourself a favor and just walk. Give your body a chance to heal.. walking is the best you can do, it helps the blood circulate and help heal the area..

good luck!
 
Reason I asked is that I went for a follow up with the doctors assistant (doc who did surgery is on vacation) yesterday and he gave me a physical therapy prescription form but there is no date on it as to when he wanted me to start. I think I should call and ask. Odd he would give it to me now if I needed wait, especially since I am to go back to see my surgeon beg of June. Glad I asked. My goodness.

Thanks for the info.

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going to PT and doing core exxercises are two different things. IF you were to start therapy now-I personally would wait- your therapist would work on gentle toning exercises and some gentle manipulation, but not thing like core strengthening.....

My surgeon sent me to water babies(therapy) first. Then I started PT after I was done with the water classes...and that wasw at 4 months![/ Best bet is to call...COLOR]
 
It may be a corabination of the divorce, surgery, and being exhaused. I would suggest something like Cyrabalta...it is a pain relieaver and an anti depresant. It wouldn't hurt for this time in your life.

Why not kick him out? Or wait til he is gone and have the locks changed....
 
They divorce papers states he can stay until Aug. I cant kick him out. He feels if he stays until Aug, he can still help out with the mortgage that I will now have to split with my brother (my brother owns half the house). Plus he doesnt know what he will be left with as far as monetary so he will stay until aug. Problem is, I am leaving him due alcohol related issues, which makes this even more heart breaking. I cant get over him if he is here everyday.

I think that you are right. Due to the surgery, getting out and walking more, being tired, getting off the meRAB effective yesterday and the divorce it has finally all hit me at once. I hope the emotional rolicoaster stops as I am going back to work on monday and would be so erabarrased if I cryed at the drop of a dime with my frienRAB all day However, since my husband is retired, getting back to work may help me more than I know.

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