My boyfriend's surgeon and pm doctor have never prescribed PT since his surgeries and I don't understand why since I am sure it would help him since he doesn't exercise. He doesn't think he could do PT anyway since he is still in alot of pain. My question is isn't PT standard at some point after fusion? I know his surgeon doesn't really believe in going to a PT but he says that my boyfriend should do some exercising that he likes.

Lynne

I won't be albe to go either and this was a big concern, everyone assured me that walking would probably be enough, and ofcourse swimming.

My surgeon does not believe in PT really either after a fusion. He says that walking along with pool walking is the main thing that I should be concentrating on exercise wise. He said in probably a year he will bring me in for 1/2 hour with him on exercise equipment and he will go thru proper techniques for a eliptical and stationary bike.

Wow, I don't know what I'd do without my therapist. I'd make it okay, but she's been such a God-send. She's taught me how to isolate particular muscle groups and how to move differently to maximize my strength while minimizing the stress on my back. She asks me everytime I go in what particular things have come up for me as I slowly become more active. Then she tells me how to manage those things. For instance, moving myself in the seat of the car without my brace for the first time last week was horribly painful. She told me three muscle groups to tighten next time I was in the car without the brace. I thought it might help a little, but wow, it totally eliminated the pain in that movement! She's basically giving me an education for living the rest of my life with less stress and pain. My first fusion wasn't as big a deal, I guess because I still had movement in some segments. This total fusion thing is sooo different. I'm still figuring out how this is gonna work and what I can and can't do. I'm really grateful for my therapist. (I'm not being critical of any doctors who don't order it. It really isn't always necessary. But just saying how tremendously helpful it's been for me.)

Emily :wave:

I do agree that a therapist can be very helpful. Personally, my doctor showed me how to log roll and we often discuss whatever causes me pain but from reading these boards I think he is the exception to the rule. My appts usually range from 1/2 to 1 hour.

The sad thing about seeing him is that he is never on time!

The number one reason i won't be going is i have no insurance that will cover it. However I feel if need be, I can pay cash for a few visits and learn some stuff to do at home for myself. One day at a time.