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I had back surgery in Feb 2004 for spinal stenosis, spondy 1 and this included a 3 level fusion at l3, l4, l5. Recuperation was slow and painful and I did not begin PT for 4 months. I have had about 14 PT's and have regressed to alot of leg pain, not to mention sore muscles. I am 64 years old, female, healthy but b/c of back condition was "out of shape". Well in PT i am doing about 20 exercises along with the treadmill (forwards and backwards up to 5 minutes each) 3 lb leg lifts 30 times each, squats on the total gym (30) pelvic tilts, just the whole bit! I am at PT about 1 1/2 hours 2 times a week. This includes 20 minutes of heat. I also do PT in my swimming pool. The leg lifts have caused my bursitis of the hip to inflame. I have had to have injections for that. Do you think this amount of PT is too much?

Hi there:

This sounds alot of PT to me but then I am no expert. I hope that they started you out slowly it sounds like maybe it was to much to fast, just my humble opinion. I will be thinking of you, keep in touch let us know how you are doing. Maybe you should be asking you Dr. if these are the right things for you.

Take care:

Janice

You need to speak up to your PT. They have no idea if anything is hurting you if you don't say so. I have great PT's they tell me that if anything HURTS, then NOT to do it. They have adjusted my exercises many times & also elimnated some when they are told that they hurt me. Remember, you are paying them, not the other way around. That does sound like an awful regimen that they have you doing.

Let them know that this is too much for you and is causing increased pain. They have no idea what is going on if you don't speak out, and they will just keep increasing while you keep getting worse. Tell them about the bursitis, so they can adjust the type of exercises and amount you are doing.

Good luck.

Carol

:wave: hi ya it sounds like to much to fast,its not suppose to hurt you,and yes just tell them,i did ,theyll back off a bit or shorten it a bit,pls take care of yourself,they cant feel your pain :angel:

I agree with what others have said. There is a thread on here somewhere called "Choosing the Right PT." You may find it helpful. Good luck!

Standingman

Aloha efudala,

Wow, I must echo everyone else, Too Much! I also had an L3 – S1 fusion in Feb. I started PT in late March and I was only doing 1 hour of pool therapy 3 times a week. My first land based PT was on June 7th, and my routine was supposed to be Monday and Friday on land and Wednesday in the pool. That was the plan anyway, but on Friday June 11th, the second time on land, I was roughed up by my PT and was set back over one month, he actually tried some adjustments on me :nono: . I didn’t know any better and I didn’t speak up until it was too late. Again, like the others have suggested, you really have to let your PT know if you are experiencing any discomfort or pain, you are definitely out of the “No pain No gain” arena, if you feel pain, it is time to back off. I am just now reaching my recovery point that I was at prior to being roughed up, and now my hip pops, I have some occasional pops in my back and I now have some nerve pain in my right leg and foot, all of which I didn’t have before June 11th. Instead of 1½ hours twice a week, ask if you can do 45 minutes 3 times a week. 1½ hours, in my opinion is too much. Good Luck!

Carl

Same here with my PT after Fusion Surgery! Too much to Fast! I called my Neruo.......told him what they had me doing & for how long!! He asked ......You gave them the list of things that I wanted you to do ? I said Yes! He said Bail out.......They are going to hurt you!! All I want is Lots of walking.......Don't go back to them!!
That was the ticket for me.......I healed just fine!

:wave:

Please please please tell them to SLLOOOWWWW DOWN! :nono: Too much, too fast... you are headed for trouble! They do not know your pain tolerance and the only way for them to understand is if you speak you mind! If you push yourself you are bound to hurt yourself! Good Luck, and please take care of yourself!

~M~ :angel:

Thank you all so much for your suggestions and opinions. Makes me feel like someone cares! After five months of trying to get better and sometimes feeling like its up a step and back two!. I failed to mention i have rods and screws too. Everytime I overdo it takes me several days to recover. I am seeing the PT on Tuesday and will tell him that things need to be slower. I have been trying to be brave and not baby myself because after all this time of asking family to do things for you, I am anxious to get back to normal. But what is normal? I had pain for 30 some years and finally made the decision to have surgery after my quality of life was getting so bad. I have been off work (secretary) and plan on returning on August 9. Thanks again for your help here and support! I feel the luv!

Hang in there! I'm now 56! & going strong! It ain't the age.......it's the care!!
Got up at 5 :oo a.m. went to work......mowed the lawn.....Cleaned house......went back to work......trimed some trees in the yard....did dishes.......laundry.....
You want positive results?? Get em!

Larry

Hello,
I agree with the others you have to be real careful in choosing your PTs, for they can do more harm than good..After my fusion, my PT wanted me to lift a hundred pound dummy..I was and still am on a 20 pound lifting restriction..They became rather angry that I wouldn't lift it..You only have one back don't let anyone tell you what is good for you, for you know the limitations of your back, no one else does..Best way to find a good one is asking your doctor, and asking nurses and staff whom they would choose...Good Luck.,..StarAngel :angel: