I'll be having laminotomy/laminectomy on L4-L6 with rods and screws in a few days. For anyone else with similar surgery... how long was it before you could bend enough to touch your feet? Like to manicure your toenails? I know to be sure my nails are cut short before surgery, but how long will I have to wait until I can work on my toenails again? Another silly question... but I am getting such good answers on this message board. Thanks.
At six weeks my toe nails were making me nuts. I clipped them and I shouldn't have. At four months it still isn't easy. I was fused from L3-S1. You always have to worry about the next higher disk.
I had my surgery on 6-30, they said no bending twisting etc. for atleast 12 weeks. So I went and had a pedicure at about 6 weeks, I can do them now and have been for about 6 weeks or so, but I have broken some of those rules because I had no choice.. Good luck, I have a great doctor in Texas.. You'll do great.
Myspine
I had a pedicure after my february 2004 fusion and have been treating myself to them ever since. After all that recuperating, i deserve something nice! ha
Wow, I am shocked at how long it is taking everyone to bend and do their toe nails. I had a two-level fusion with screws and rods and I was doing everything at about 3 weeks. I was pretty much bending and touching my toes by then anyways. I am 8 weeks now and my back feels like I never had the surgery. I get the normal aches if I twist wrong and all but otherwise I am 100&. I was fused at L-5-S-1; L-4-L-5.
WOW AACKLES!!!! You bring new meaning to MIRACLES never cease. I'm stiff even when I pull my feet up to me. I'm getting better but just in the last couple days has there really been a big difference for me.
I guess living alone and having to do everything by myself really helped. I mean don't get me wrong I do get achy every once in awhile. Plus the fact that my doctor had me in physical therepy 2 weeks post op. I guess I am pretty lucky to have had such a good recovery. Now if I could just get rid of this darn foot pain I would be good. Best of luck to all of you. Angela
How long until I can touch my feet? 
Re: How long until I can touch my feet? 
