PT after one level fusion - two month postop - Questions? - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

acdfouch · 04-25-2006, 08:02 PM

Thought I would pull this out of my thread for some more comments.

Dennis and mb100 have given me some great thoughts and ideas to take back to my PT and for me to maul over and I'm looking for some more.

Howdy all.

I've been progressing much better for those that have been following my thread.

I have just accepted that I am not one of those people that just wake up better and just trying to make the best of things.

Now, I have been doing PT for two weeks.

I had a ACDF(P) on Feb 27th. C5/6. Donor bone.

Now here's my PT (in order too) :

Moist heat 15 min

Rowing machine 5 min level 2

All strenghting exercises 2 sets 15 reps
Chest press 12.5 pounds
Pullback 12.5 pounds
Pulldown 12.5 pounds

Shoulder shrug 2 pounds
Bicep curl 3 pounds
Hands out to side - palms up - bring to shoulder level - 2 pounds
Arms down to side - bring them up to shoulder level while at side - 2 pounds
Grab pole - up to shoulder level with elbows as high as possible

Stretches
All stretches 15 sec hold 2 times

Look left
Look right
Head turned to shoulder right
Head turned to shoulder left
Same as above but hold wrist and turn to opposite side while pulling wrist
... And here the one I have not done since the first week
Look up
Look down

Overall...

Comments? Suggestions?

I would REALLY like to hear YES, I've done all that - no problem. Or - holy #@@#*#@)*$ why are they having you do that? I would do x/y/z etc etc..

Now - keep in mind my stats / surgery :

31 years
175 pounds
5'7
(so i could lose a little but im doing "ok-ish")
Eat very healthy but have a very sedentary life style (computer geek for living)
1 level ACDF(P) Feb 27th

I would love to hear comments and suggestions!

Thanks!

whackedback · 04-26-2006, 11:55 AM

Ouch -

How are you feeling after these PT sessions? I hope your therapist is evaluating you at regular intervals. If you don't feel you are being challeged enough tell them, but if they tell you that you should be conservative, do it. You can always start the heavy weights a few months later. It's not going to change much.

Also, have you looked into massage for deep tissue muscle release? If you can go through that, it will let you know how you are really doing.

wb

acdfouch · 04-27-2006, 06:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whackedback

Ouch -

How are you feeling after these PT sessions? I hope your therapist is evaluating you at regular intervals. If you don't feel you are being challeged enough tell them, but if they tell you that you should be conservative, do it. You can always start the heavy weights a few months later. It's not going to change much.

Also, have you looked into massage for deep tissue muscle release? If you can go through that, it will let you know how you are really doing.

wb

Generally speaking, I feel pretty beat up after the PT - its still new and I was doing nothing for about a month

And I'm in no rush at all to show off with the weights. I have no pride when I go there so its not a big deal at all!

And last, no, I haven't gotten any massage stuff yet.

I plan to do that in about a month or two .. or at least after my upcoming NS visit to see how the fusion is coming along.

sunshine221 · 04-27-2006, 07:57 AM

Ouch -

In my non-professional opinion your regimine sounds about right.

Off topic - or perhaps not -- you say you are 31 - what caused your problem in the first place (I know I could go back to old threads, but I'm busy at work (as a computer geek myself)). My doctor says my spinal stenosis was "caused" by wear and tear - I'm 48 and have been in the computer industry for 24 years, I was an engineer before that -- I've now adjusted my desk, chair, etc and I watch my posture -- but if sitting at a desk 8+ hours a day can cause these problems .............

acdfouch · 04-27-2006, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunshine221

Ouch -

In my non-professional opinion your regimine sounds about right.

Off topic - or perhaps not -- you say you are 31 - what caused your problem in the first place (I know I could go back to old threads, but I'm busy at work (as a computer geek myself)). My doctor says my spinal stenosis was "caused" by wear and tear - I'm 48 and have been in the computer industry for 24 years, I was an engineer before that -- I've now adjusted my desk, chair, etc and I watch my posture -- but if sitting at a desk 8+ hours a day can cause these problems .............

Bang - you got it.

Sounds like we are two of the same!

I'm a 110% computer geek - in work and outside.

I've been doing computers since I was about 4 apparently

I've seen the pictures.

I had the stereotypical days and nights - tons of soda, staying up all night... etc etc... the odd thing about me is that somehow I am a very personable person and can communicate in the "real world".

But I digress... I have ALWAYS had VERY VERY bad posture and never sat right / looked ahead at the screen. I had rounded shoulders and droopy head. 24x7!!

So... I too can not remember one particular instance that brought it all on for me... Just overuse.

I tell people that ask how that I am basically the equivalent of a super athlete when it comes to computers and my body now shows the wear and tear.

So - I, like you, are doing anything and EVERYTHING I can to change that. Getting up and walking around after long sessions (at least every hourish)... Walking 30 mins a day... Eating crazy healthy ... Posture... Everything and anything I can.

I'm going to do everything I can to stay as healthy as possible.

One little side note that I should include in my other thread but will make sense here too...

How many people that have cervical issues find that the rest of their posture sucks? I have found that as I have been improving it, my back is cracking ALL the time... It's just simply not used to it. Perhaps I'm not moving enough... Dunno. Gonna ask mr PT about that today as well. I've found a couple of recent back cracks (not out of choice but just happens.. I don't try to make it happen) I've had a few muscle pulls midback... Ouch!