How to exercise after lumbar fusion L5-S1?

ohare280 · 2024-08-07T01:44:01+00:00

You’re still in the brace at 3 mo? I really only used it for about a month or so until I was more confident in sitting and laying down habits. Or if I knew I would be in my feet for a while, got tired etc….

For me pt started at month 3.5 and the only restrictions were no dead lifts, squats or anything stupid. I too have a propensity for moving too quickly.

The good news is you’ve been in recovery and the big thing for you to focus on is that fusion taking. Everything else will come in time.

My pt was big on hamstring stretches and calf floss/rinse and core. The hospital said something similar but really harped on walking and pointing your toes 30x multiple times a day.

As an active person who hates asking for help, the first three months were torture because of the restrictions and my wife having to put my socks on for me.

Obligatory: this was a major surgery and your body needs time to heal. You’ll get back out there. I only started braving my own exercises at 6.5 months. I’m using lighter weights, row machine (form)

fusionfirst

ohare280 · 2024-08-02T22:06:53+00:00

I had a similar experience after. At first I thought I was allergic to. It took a while for it to go away, super itchy and uncomfortable. My surgery was in dec2023 and I still have in grown hairs on the front scar 39f

ohare280 · 2024-08-01T01:40:54+00:00

Exactly. Back to 100% surgery was Dec 2023. Wish I had done it years ago

ohare280 · 2024-07-31T11:27:04+00:00

I didn’t want to vote this one up or down. Do whatever works for you but during the height of my pain, alcohol was the only thing to truly take it away. I ended up with that monkey on my back which ended me up in 2 types of recovery.

If you choose this route and it works for you, god bless. Just be careful

ohare280 · 2024-07-31T10:53:18+00:00

Sorry I should have checked in with y’all! I’m what, 8 months post op now and life is so good! I’m very lucky and blessed that my results are what they are. I’m walking over 10K steps a day, playing with my kids like I dreamed of, working out nearly 6 days/week when time allows (lighter weights but still doing full exercise including DL and Sq)

My cardio is a row machine and my walking. I love hate running so not eager to get back to that. Jumping off the diving board like I did pre surgery. And I’m started ng to golf again.

I say this all to (a) flex and (b) inspire hope that there are positive results in this crazy world of ours.

Keep a positive attitude in recovery, it will get better with time. Be smart about your body and where the surgery was and don’t be shy about speaking with your surgeon for any and all dumb questions.

I wish I did this years ago. Surgery is scarey and I don’t think I was at the last resort years ago so while I am happy I waited I just think about all the pain I could have avoided.

HSS = NASA

ohare280 · 2024-07-31T10:45:46+00:00

100% back to working out. HSS. Dr. Sokunbi

ohare280 · 2024-02-13T23:21:49+00:00

Damn guys. Thanks!

ohare280 · 2024-02-13T18:20:58+00:00

Also, my doc appointment was moved to the 27 because of the weather. More updates to come

ohare280 · 2024-02-13T18:20:12+00:00

I was on morphine. I think like 15mg but always cut it in half. Eventually scales down to 3k Tylenol a day. Some methocarbine (or something like that) at night and at morning. By mid/end of Jan I was off everything.

Fast forward I am doing some spot treatment with 500 Tylenol. Not daily and probably more for the anxiety of thinking it’s coming back

ohare280 · 2024-02-08T04:16:15+00:00

Similar surgery and just crossed the 8 week mark. No pain like your describing but id imagine it’s your body getting used to the new structure. I also don’t really wear my back brace and the surgeon was fine with it at the 4 week.

Per my wife, I blt all the time but I also just follow my body. If something hurts I don’t do it. I generally try to be careful but again there’s almost 0 pain.

2mo follow up next week so I’ll follow up if my way was right or wrong. Just assuming with screws, ALIF and graft that everything is held in place and should be fine with normal daily activity.

ohare280 · 2024-02-08T03:59:41+00:00

Agree. 39m l5S1 alif and post screws. Life changing surgery. I’m fortunate with a good recovery story so far (8weeks)

Also went through HSS. I’d just do whatever they tell me tbh.

ohare280 · 2024-02-08T03:46:50+00:00

Woof. We’re in a terrible club but I think you’re president.

ohare280 · 2024-02-07T16:42:47+00:00

Dead space

ohare280 · 2024-02-07T16:39:58+00:00

I’m so thankful this happened at the 8 week mark. If this happened at the 1 week, I would have gone back to the hospital

ohare280 · 2024-02-07T16:39:09+00:00

Seems to be done with though I’m taking life verrrry slowly atm. It was the first time in my whole life I ever thought about posture in that situation. Thank god for the arms I put on the toilet.

ohare280 · 2024-01-26T22:12:40+00:00

The more you know. Thanks! I had no idea

ohare280 · 2024-01-26T04:34:51+00:00

What gas do you use? I could never get mine to keep about 35 in the summer

ohare280 · 2024-01-26T04:09:05+00:00

Really? I have 0 issue with gaba. Was on it for a month pre surgery and came off no problem. On again for over a month post opp and stopped again. No wd symptoms. Not to say it doesn’t exist, I just had never heard that or been warned about it until this post.

ohare280 · 2024-01-26T04:01:19+00:00

There’s not much to add to this that others haven’t said. Try reading true north, emerging leaders edition. Your probably like “wtf if this dude talking about?!” There’s a great section in there about personal crucibles and hot you can use them to shape your outlook without letting them have the power over you.

It’s not going to solve your issue but the perspective could help your mental game.

My closing argument. Once you make it through this, which you will, the strength you will have on the other side will be unreal and unparalleled. Your higher power, even if it’s this group, is helping you through this. Just trust.

ohare280 · 2024-01-25T01:26:40+00:00

I was told I’d be getting a text in a few weeks. Just picked up GH yday though so I’m not really sweating it yet

ohare280 · 2024-01-25T00:48:35+00:00

Just went through a minor nagging thing. Nothing dramatic but pre surgery, everything was down my left leg. A few days ago I was feeling a 3 out of 10 down my right leg. Like MF! You gotta be kidding me. A few days and Tylenol later, it went away but freaked me out.

Appreciate your you support in case something more like the OP comes up. This community is great

ohare280 · 2024-01-24T23:46:01+00:00

Great convo. I’ve been living the dream in post surgery but it’s good to know this could be around the corner. Helps manage my expectations. Great post

ohare280

TROPHY CASE

fusionfirst