Light Physical therapy after fusion, how soon is too soon?

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laf761

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My surgery was Feb 5th..( 12 days ago) the physical therapist has been to my home 3 times already........The therapy has been mostly walking about the house w/ and without the cane......Also some leg exercises IN BED or ON THE BED......almost doing a "snow angel" with my feet only....one leg at a time in and out just about 5 inches or so......Flexing feet to the ceiling and down.....but she also aked me to bring my knee into my chest.....she said this is only using the hips....(Isolating the back...but makes me nervous)

Has anyone done these things so soon after surgery???She also has me doing
foot exercises while sitting in a chair....lifting my feet by arching my toes and lifting my knees...all while seated...Then heels on the floor lifting the toes????

Don't want to do too much too soon???

Any advice??

Thanks........
 
I would definitely place a call to your surgeon and ask about the leg to the chest thing -- that is a bit to soon in my opinion.
 
Hi! I think you will be fine as long as you are not bending or twisting as they say. Keeping your legs mobile is good and the stretching is good for your legs. Of course, if anything hurts, stop and tell them it hurts and modify the exercise.

I didnt really start PT until about 3 months after fusion.

As the previous poster said too, if you have any question about it, you can also call your doc and ask them too.

Take Care!

Jen
 
Hello LAF~

Again, differences in doctors!! Mine basically doesn't believe in PTs. Or maybe it is more that he leaves it up to the individual patient. He believes the best thing to do is listen to your body and do what you can and don't do what hurts! And walk, walk, walk.

But as I found out from experience, it is important to choose a PT carefully, almost as carefully as you chose the surgeon. Some PTs have more experience and training with spinal issues than do others.

That being said...did your surgeon recommend this particular PT at this particular time? I think everything as you've described it is OK. Some of it is designed to be sure you don't have nerve damage. As long as your back was firmly on a flat surface, the bed or the floor, stretching your knee toward your chest should have been OK. I assume nothing was forced and that you would have stopped if it had been uncomfortable.

You can pick up any book on back pain and see almost the same stretches and exercises. There is not a great deal of variety when it comes to exercises for the back. You just need to be sure to avoid any that involve twisting and bending from the waist. When you are months down the road and your fusion is healed, you will learn to bend from the hip socket forward, rather than bending at the waist.

Just remeraber, with any type of physical therapy, if something doesn't seem right, don't do it. Stop and question the PT. Always better off safe than sorry!!

I'm planning on starting therapy in a couple more weeks.

xx M:cool:M
 
I had PT at home the week after I got discharged, but it wasn't "real" PT. She walked me around, took me outside, went up and down the stairs, etc. I felt like she was just justifying a paycheck. I think the purpose really was just to make sure I was safe in my own home, able to get around without hurting myself and able to take care of myself. My "real" PT didn't start for 3 1/2 or 4 months.

I would be concerned about the knee to chest, too. Even though she says it's just hip movement, it still stretches the spine. I remeraber how hard it was to put on socks, because I couldn't reach my feet. That knee to chest was a movement I wouldn't and couldn't have done. I would also be concerned about the lifting of the foot. If I understand your decription right, it sounRAB like it would put stress on your back. That's what you don't want to do right now.

I would talk to her before she does any more and tell her that you're concerned about disturbing your fusion. If she blows you off, you need a different therapist. If she at least listens and addresses your concerns, then also talk to your doctor, just to be sure.

Take it easy!
Emily
 
What you are doing was part of my discharge instructions from the hospital physical therapy group. Including the leg to chest thing. I left that one out for awhile as it was a bit more than I was ready for right off.

If it hurts you.. ask them to leave that one out for now. I dont think you will get a fight over it.

The physical exercises is a must right after. it keeps your body from totally rebelling on you while your body stays in a restful state for healing. Make sure you get your walking in.. as it moves all those important muscle groups including your back.

I swear it gets better and better. Just takes time. By 12 weeks or so, you will be amazed at how far you will have come. Hang in there.:)
 
Thank you all so much......I will take it easy as you suggest...But as you all agreed keeping the muscle tone and WALKING is best...


You really have been very helpful...Met w/ therapist just now and she was fine w/ modifying as much as I seem to need to...

Many thanks...

Nap time..........

LAF
 
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