Question on Working out Post Surgery - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Diesel88ma · 03-31-2005, 06:13 PM

Hi All-

I'm a newbie here. I'm on day 14 - post surgery for discectomy with fusion c6/7. Feeling good - pain gone immediately, just graduated from my hard collar to my softt collar and I start PT in 2 weeks. I 32, and have been an avid bodybuilder since 18. I've been out of the gym 2 months - lost weight and some muscle mass - and generally depressed a bit about the whole thing.

My question: Has anyone here successfully started working-out/lifting weights or excercising at a moderate to high level of intensity since having this problem? I hear that the discs surrounding the fusion will be weaker and I;d have to modify my workouts. I ask only because there is very littl einformation out there regarding it.

Also - I've read that the discs surrounding the fusion generally give away on there own down the road....any thoughts on that?

All yur information is appreciated.

_Diesel

AKGIRL · 03-31-2005, 06:37 PM

I too was really active prior to surgery...(a posterior 5 level laminectomy w/o fusion)..I had worked out 4-5 time / week..and also couldnt wait to get on with things post surgery. I started walking (which at first was really difficult for me...as funny as that sounds) Also began PT right away...about 4 x's /week. I ran into a little trouble after 4 or 5 weeks..the post op swelling did not go away causing a lot of complications (which I wont go into) I stubbornly continued..thinking I could power through...until I was miserable with spasms etc. My NS finally told me to STOP everything and just let my neck heal. It was the best advice...and I was in so much pain that I wisely listened. My advice....go for walks, start PT butand tell the PT you have a tendency to push really hard. Please try not to over due it..You will be better in the long run. I am 15 months out and still fighting daily spasms...Try not to be depressed...I know that is easier said than done...but try and concentrate on other successes...I try and be grateful and remember that while I cannot do everything I could do before surgery, I am not paralyzed...which was a possibility for me. Hang in there...you will continue to feel better even a year from now!

mel1977 · 03-31-2005, 06:53 PM

this is a question for your dr. Are you on any lifting restrictions? Any movement restrictions?
I am healing from a lumbar fusion and from the low back stand point when a disc goes bad, there are chances it can get worse down the road, ESPECIALLY if you don't take care of it (I had a micro in 2002 and in 2004 had DDD in two discs; that doesn't get better-so i had the fusion). I have a herniation in my cspine as well, and was given the fancy name of spondylosis which is a fancy term for arthritis or degeneration. This will not get better. I am using my options right now before surgery is an option. I am scared TO DEATH to let someone cut into my neck-though I have no problem with any other part of my body, go figure. I gained 15 pounds from birth control (I hope) and after four months of healing am just now able to do low impact aerobics ( I understand it is different for backs and neck with this, just using as an example). I would hate to think of losing the weight only to gain it back after a neck surgery. SO, even though I got off track, I wish you all the best and just be sure to clear everything with your surgeon. Even PT doesn't necessarily know (they go off what the dr orders, though cervical therapy I think is a little different). Ah, who am I kidding. I need to learn from all of yOU!
Oh, were the surgeries worth it? My dr told me cervical surgeries do better than lumbar. I am afraid of the front incision AND losing ROM (not that I have a whole lot right now anyway!)

Diesel88ma · 04-07-2005, 09:33 PM

Come on folks - there must be someone out here who's excercised post surgery and has some feedback on it. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

wimpette · 04-12-2005, 09:00 AM

Diesel,
Have been there and done that!!! - now recovering from a second procedure. In all seriousness, I was told I could go hiking four weeks after a two level ACDF. I felt great post op but realised, after the first hour on a rocky trail that this was definitely more than I should be doing. Unfortunately many surgeons feel that if you have no complaints and feel better you can get back to your usual routine. Your body will tell you otherwise, it may take up to a year to fully heal.

You will get back to working out but might always have some restrictions. I would suggest talk to your surgeon about physical therapy with someone who specialises in sports medicine. The therapist can follow your progress and help you gradually build up your strength again. He/she can also control what you do and how much weight you are using.

Walking is great post op exercise, I was doing four miles a day within two weeks of my first procedure. This time I can still walk but no jogging (over 3.6 mph) and no steep inclines. It's frustrating but well worth the few months to be able to eventually resume full activity without complications.

Hope this helps.
W