Post-fusion surgery questions

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Mommev38

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Today I'm 3 weeks post op. I do see me doctor next Monday for x-rays and a check up but thought I'd get some opinions from all of you going through this too. I've been a little scared to ask this one, but do any of you feel the "hardware" in your back at times, esp when wearing your brace? Sometimes it feels like someone is making a fist and pushing it thru my back. Also, when laying on my left side at night I get total pain from my hip all the way down my leg and as soon as I turn a little it goes away. I'm so used to sleeping on that side because before the surgery I had pain on the other side.
And now an exercising question, I know we're suppose to walk, my house isn't very big, so I'm limited. Outside, roaRAB are snow-covered and slippery and I'm from WI and it won't stop snowing! I did go to the mall on Saturday and walked with my daughter who turned 18 to keep her out of the house while my other daughter decorated for a surprise party so that was good, but I don't get enough walking in and i'm worried about that and gaining weight-I was already trying to lose weight by going to Curves before all this came about. I do have a Gazelle Machine, and was wondering about using that as long as I don't make big strides. I'm this is one I have to check with me doctor too but have any of you done this? Any other suggestions? I can't get to the mall too much because of driving restrictions. Thanks for any advice, input, and suggestions!
 
I do not feel my hardware, and never have been able to feel it. But I wouldn't worry about it at this point. You still have some swelling, etc. so things don't feel like they will in the future.

Regarding your left side, it may be that your surgeon had you positioned on that side during surgery, or there was more work done from that side, or....There are many good reasons why this might be occurring. Again, three weeks is VERY early in your recovery.

I would caution you not to use your Gazelle machine at this point, even though I don't know for sure what that is. :confused: You want to avoid anything that results in a repetitive motion -- like a treadmill, etc. Walking is by far the best and safest exercise for you, now and into the near future. When you can't get to the mall, I would suggest just walking around your house, boring though it may be!

My best suggestion to you is PATIENCE. You have had a big surgery and it will take a long time to recover. Most likely that recovery will not just be on a straight, upward trajectory, either. You will have a few set-backs along the way. This is perfectly normal and should not surprise or disappoint you. Just think of the process as baby steps...try not to rush the process. Your body will do what it will do. You cannot rush the process.

Enjoy the snow and be glad that Spring is quite a ways away. By the time it arrives, you will be ready for it and able to enjoy it.
 
Thanks Pinenuts for the reply. Yes walking around the house is boring. My 13 yr. old son is home on winter break and just gave me a funny look when I was doing it, but I'm using my mp3 while walking now and that seems to help a bit.
 
I would stay off the gazelle.....OMG that could be bad!....The feeling youre dealing with can be swelling and stiffness.....you will have some new angles on the back....at times I feel like I can feel it too....its just new stuff going on.....but if you get on that gazelle you may end up seeing your hardware....poor thing.....just walk the carpet out of the house...walk walk walk.....it will be over before you know it. I understand you wanting to excersize some but sounRAB like your only option is indoor walking.

Devon
 
I would aviod the gazelle too. I still can't feel my hardware two 2 1/2 years later but thought I could the first month or so after surgery. I think part of it is in your head-you KNOW its there so you THINK you can feel it-I know I was that way. Its creepy. The only people I know who have felt the hardware were people with broken screws.
You are VERY early in your recovery. One step forward often means two steps back. Walking is great for "greasing the wheels" as my doctor said. The sooner the better to avoid scar tissue from building up, but it would be too easy to go overboard on the gazelle even if you were doing small movements.
No lifting over 8 pounRAB(I gallon of milk-if that!)
No bending
No twisting
Regular breaks horizontal!!I used to tell my family " I gotta get horizontal" when I was feeling bad. They know what I meant-lol. I had to REST-still do.
I do 90% of everything I did before surgery as long as I keep walking and resting-even this far out. I didn't go back to work for three months. I worked part time to get acclimated.
THe hardest thing for all of us is asking for help. I did move everything in the kitchen to my hieght so no heavy lifting from high shelves or bending to get pots out.
The best part of my recovery? My husband still does the laundry!LOL:p

Blessings-Take it easy!
Michelle :angel:
 
Thanks for the responses! I def. will just stick to the walking-no Gazelle! I was really hoping to hear from someone that they felt something in their back-I'm getting a bit worried about that. I'm picturing the x-ray showing that something has fallen apart and that's what I'm feeling-somebody please tell me that's my wild imagination working now! I guess I wait until my doc appt next Monday and hope and pray the x-ray shows everything is good and the doctor tells me I'm healing fine.
 
Let me put you at ease with feeling the hardware. What you are experiencing is simply the swelling of the tissues/muscles around the hardware and the swelling is putting pressure on the hardware. In a few months this will go away.

You may also feel pressure in your hardware when there is a severe temperature change especially when it goes cold suddenly outside.

I have also heard pops from time to time and have been told this is simply scar tissue that forms around the hardware and occassionally the scar tissue will break away or simply shift causing a popping sound.

I hope this helps and puts you at ease some as far as the hardware. It is fairly normal.

I agree with the poster that it is normal to have some tenderness and it is due to the amount of work on that side, or the hardware could be laying against a nerve, or it is simply due to swelling. Give it 12 weeks and you should be able to begin laying on the side for short perioRAB of time.

Good luck and remeraber healing is a daily process that takes alot of time when it comes to the spine.
 
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