Why was I not given a back brace?

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Devon07

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Not real sure why im not in a brace.....I dont care to have one but after reading all f your stories here im wondering why.....I had a two level 360 and im getting around real good now....I had my surgery on Dec 1 as most of you know.....any idea as to why im not in a brace? Im 44yrs old...265lbs...My doc even says PT wont likely happen....what re your thoughts?

Devon
 
Probably because of your hardware. I had an Anterior L4 L5 S1 fusion, with a total of 6 screws. I'm betting you had the same from the front, but with bars in the back as well. You are probably pretty solidly "constructed" as it is... meaning your vertebra ain;t going nowhere .

Edit: for me, for example, those 6 screws (three per artificial disc) are all the held/holRAB me together. Recovery time is supposed to be faster, but I'm not convinced of that. Also, some of us have "soft" bones (myself included). Hardwood/softwood analogy. I'm 57, but a carpenter and have always been on good shape.. Nevertheless, there's a big difference between my procedure and yours, and yours would have been extremely more stable and "rock" solid by comparison. Doesn't mean that we who had less hardware will heal any less than another with the heavier metal. It's the matter of the brace, I think. I had a small chance that I'd be flipped, and I was glad I wasn't at the time. Everyone is different and the pain levels are different, It's the end result which maters... a rock hard, solid bone, Whatever achieves that end.
 
Your post was moved into its own separate thread. Please do not ask questions on other individuals thread. When you ask questions on others thread, your question may overtake, hi-jack, the orgininators thread. Therefore, always start your own thread for your questions or problems.

Thank you for your cooperaton.
Mod08
 
Devon, - not sure why you weren't given one. They sure give you a little more support. I'm surprised he does not want you doing PT. I will start pt probably n Feb or March. I would call him up and ask about a brace
 
I am walking around without my walker and today will do a mile walk around the park.....I only have a little trouble sitting and getting up from low positions like bed, chair etc....I am off all pain meRAB and feel just fine....my doc said I took the hardware very strong and didnt need the brace....my bone was nice and hard so he felt very comfortable to not give me a brace ...he said when 360s go how he likes them to go the brace is rare any more for him....so I guess Im good....he also said I was his A+ student and is very proud of my progress even though we had some trouble in surgery.He says when patients do without a brace they are less likely to need PT....but we will see.....he said a small chance but he doubts it with me.


Thanks.....Devon
 
Hi Devon! Glad to hear you're doing well! I haven't been able to get on here for a week or so (due to holiday stuff and taking care of my MIL with Alzheimer's) and wondered how you were doing.

Some doctors are big on braces, others aren't. Personally, I was very glad to have one because it was a constant reminder not to try to bend or twist. But your doctor is right about PT. The brace does tend to weaken your muscles. I was in mine for 5 months and it took a full month to wean out of it due to how much my muscles had atrophied. That was really hard!

There have been others on here who didn't have a brace and did just fine. I wouldn't worry about it. Just be careful not to overdo it now that you're feeling better.

I hope you had a wonderful Christmas in less pain!!!

Emily :wave:
 
Ricker, your post was moved into a thread of its own on the Back Problems Message Board and is entitled "New Here".

In the future, please start a thread for your own problems/questions.

Thank you for your cooperation.
Mod08
 
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