starting therapy on back after fusion help

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jackpate

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I am almost 4 months post-op . I am scared about hurting my back again . I did some work harding theraphy before i decide to have surgery and it made me worst.i was fused from l-3 to s1. Could someone help me i start on monday.i just do not want to mess anything up . I just know how they try to push you even when you tell them it hurts.;);););) thanks for any help.;););)
 
There's a wide range of beliefs about PT among surgeons. Some here have been in PT at only a few weeks post-op, some at a few months, and some not at all.

I started PT at about 4 1/2 months post-op. My therapist had extra training in orthopedics and was fantastic! She did deep tissue massage to break up scar tissue and taught me how to isolate and work my different core muscles. We worked on balance and gently strengthening. We did nothing that could in any way harm my fusion process. She taught me how to move and do basic daily things in ways that would protect my spine and troubleshot particular problems I was having, such as shifting myself in the car without pain.

Communication with your therapist will be key. You need to tell her if something is hurting other than the "good" hurt of muscles being used. If you're concerned about a particular exercise she/he wants you to do, speak up and let them explain why it is (or isn't) okay for you.

My PT was a huge help in my recovery. I hope yours will be, too!

Blessings,
Emily
 
Thanks blueatlas i hope it will help and believe i will let them know if something is hurting. I already am having therp. On my rt leg and foot because of weakness drop foot but after 6 weeks i can already raise my foot about 1 inch off of the floor i am very happy for that. They tell me at therp. That i am doing so good . Just having pain in my leg and foot and swelling at night
 
Did your surgeon order this therapy, or did it get cleared with your surgeon? Most spine surgeons don't want you doing much of anything for the first 6 months or so after a fusion except for walking. Also, you have had a 3-level fusion and I would think you should be taking it much easier than doing PT right now.

What type of PT will you be doing? How often?

I have been told in the past that it is especially important to not flex or twist the spine in any way for stretches and exercises after having back surgery. Most Pilates exercises that work the core muscles are good.

Another option to consider is to get a referral to a good physiatrist instead of going to PT. A physiatrist is a doctor who is trained in physical medicine and rehab, and they are much more knowledgeable than most physical therapists. However, they will usually give you exercises/stretches to do at home vs. having a location that you can do them at.
 
Hello Jackpate. Iam also 5 mo. post PLIF at the L5, S1, 2 roRAB and screws, and a cage. and bone fusion at the S1. My surgery was Jan. 16th. 2009 I started physical therapy a little over a month ago. I started with the general stretching, nothing strenious. Plus water therapy which is wonderful. I feel no pain what so ever in the pool. I do leg exercises in the pool, following the hot tub for about 10 min.. My pain level has gone from an 8 to a 4, Saw my back surgeon yesterday and he is very pleased with the bone fusion. Each week another exercise is added, like the treadmill. Its your back and you have a say so in the healing. Don't let them push you. If it hurts, stop. Good luck.
 
Thanks for answering . I will go 2 times aweek for 4 weeks working on core and strengthing back. My dr. Said to be very carefull take it slow.
 
The big thing to discuss with them is what is hurting and how much. If it's muscles that need to be exercised then they are likely to push you. If it's spinal pain they'll look at that differently - but only you can tell them if it's new pain, etc.
 
I'll have to agree with brenda, regarding the therapy. I had therapy four months after my surgery and we started slow and I had it for actually three months because I had residual sciatic pain but that was due to weak hip flexor muscles but by the time that was figured out I was at the end of my PT. My son set me up with a Sports Medicine Trainer and I've gained more range of motion and more strength with him within two months than I did in the three months time I did in PT! But you do have to listen to your body is what my surgeon and my trainer says, if it hurts don't do it try it another way or lower the weight. Make sure your taking your B-complex, calcium and soy to help your nerves and your fusion. Prayer for your quick :wave:recovery.
 
Thanks for the reply reRABmom. I am just a little afraid because i am having some leg pain already, and the work harding therp. Just made it worse . I did powerline construction before i got injuried last march 2008. I just do not want to go through the pain again . I know i will not beable to do my job again because we have to be able to pick up a100 pounRAB frequently.thanks for hearing me. Jack
 
Thanks so much my pain is about a 6 but on bad days it is 8 or 9 .thanks i will be smart about not letting them push me to hard it is my back not there's. Jack
 
Thanks spineaz i start today and i did some core and range of motion and i am having more pain in my back on lt. Side i useally have it on my rt side sop on monday i will let them know because we stop today because of pain. Jack
 
Hello everyone,

New to the Form, I'm 66 days post-op of L4-L5 Fusion w/ cage my right leg was going nurab and extreme lower back pain

Recover is a hard and listening to my body everyday something new, my employer and probably everyone else thinks I'm a Hypercontreact. My employer also wanted me back to work on 7-6-09. I felt great till the employment started i started out at 3 hours a day and now I'm at 7.5hrs daily.. I work at a desk witch is not bad.

Every since going back the pain in my right leg has returned and is very low and radiant like I know its always there.

I was walking and have lost close to forty pounRAB. while not at work my walking with in a months time went from a couple houses to several miles..

Once I returned to work the right shin pain returned, and has steadily got worse.. I stopped walking ! Both primary and Surgeon said I was doing to much.

Will the pain go or is it scar tissue build up? I have a xray appoint coming up but we all know they don't hold the answers.
 
Ray....I think the word you were looking for was hypochondriac :-) If you had MRI findings and exam findings that led to the fusion...then you aren't a hypochondriac. A hypochondriac is one who states medical problems or symptoms that don't exist even after exhaustive testing and treatment.

You should see the doctor for a check....when was the surgery? Could you have returned to activity too soon?

If symptoms continue you'd be the type of person really eligible for Social Security Disability. The older one is - with significant medical problems/symptoms, SSDI can be appropriate if you find you can no longer work.
 
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