Post-surgery - How bad is it that I twisted? Did I do damage?

R

roro

New member
I am 2 weeks post-op L5-S1 laminectomy with fusion and instrumentation.

Yesterday I drove and was not thinking, and went in reverse while twisting my body to look back through the rear winRABheild. I realized immediately and turned back around but now my right leg hurts. It has kinda been hurting on and off anyway, so its hard to tell if its worse now.

Can BLT (bending twisting lifting) cause permanent damage?
 
Are you not wearing a brace? I had to wear my brace post op for 4 months, so even if I did bend, or twist, I was restricted by the brace. Why are you driving two weeks post fusion? Was that approved by your surgeon? I wasn't allowed to drive for several weeks post op, so I am a little perplexed. :confused:
Anyway, with the roRAB and screws, it's unlikely that you did permanent damage, but the roRAB and screws are newly added to your back and the reason that they don't want to you bend, lift or twist post op, is because the roRAB and screws can loosen or reverse if you aren't careful.
I would check with your doctor to find out if you are even supposed to be driving at this point, and if you have a brace, unless your doctor has told you otherwise, you should be wearing it.
Sandi
 
Doctors differ on whether to brace, or not. It certainly does help you to remeraber how to move properly. I would be surprised if you hurt anything, but I, too, question why you are driving at this point. If this is an example of how you are recovering, you will have bigger problems down the road. You really need to be doing two things this early in your recovery: lying prone in bed and walking. Otherwise you really aren't giving yourself a fair chance at healing properly and completely.
 
I do have a brace, but he told me NOT to wear it. They are very worried about weak muscles and want me to build up my muscles, the brace does the work for the muscles, making my own weaker.

My dr said no resctrictions on what I can and cannot do, except for no bending, lifting or twisting. So I took that as a yes, I can drive. I drove my car back from the shop, about 3 miles. I am not driving when someone else is available.

Lying prone? Does that mean on my stomach? I thought I was not supposed to lie on my stomach at all? I have been lying on my back mostly, and sometimes on my side. I am trying to sleep on my side more.
 
No, I meant lying flat on your back - you do not want to be on your stomach.

That's odd he would go through the trouble of having a brace made and then instruct you not to wear it. My doctor doesn't use braces any longer. There were times when I would have preferred having one.
 
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