Spinal Stenosis and Exercise - Spinal Cord Disorders Message Board

Midge130 · 05-04-2003, 07:42 PM

Hi!
I have spinal stenosis which the doc thinks is caused by a bone spur(s) at C4-C5, we'll know for sure when I have my myelogram in June. Do any of you exercise with your spinal stenosis?? I lift weights, ride bike, and step aerobics. I only time it bothers me is when I lift weights using my shoulder muscles. I've called my docs office but haven't heard from him yet. So what do you all think?? Could I hurt myself any worse? I have been lifting for 16 months.
Thanks,
Midge

TCain · 05-06-2003, 07:01 PM

I have severe cervical stenosis, and I was told that another accident could paralysis me. (Any type of small injury, trip and fall etc). I guess it depends on how severe your stenosis is. I would also guess that if a simple accident could do this damage that you should not be lifting weights. I would keep calling my NS until I received a response. Wish I could be of more help.

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TCain

Memer · 05-07-2003, 06:03 AM

Midge,

Before my surgery, I was told not to do any aerobics and to be very careful, that a fall or car accident could paralyze me. One NS took the cord compression very seriously. He said it was amazing that I had no trouble walking with my condition. The other NS said basically the same thing but that there was no way to tell for sure what would happen with a fall or accident. I decided to be very careful with everything. I personally wouldn't have lifted weights after talking to the 2 surgeons. I was told that I could do light exercises, but I didn't even too that. (I'm a chicken.)

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[This message has been edited by Memer (edited 08-04-2003).]