I have spondylolisthesis - and need advice

TingleFoot

you'll get there, sarah!

good luck to you.

teteri66

I have a couple more thoughts for you, along the same principal of the towel. Try to be mindful at all times of how you sit and stand. Try to sit so your weight is distributed evenly between your "sit bones." I think of this as sitting "squarely." Same with standing. Be sure your feet are pointed straight forward and that the weight is distributed evenly -- you don't want to put more weight on one foot or the other...just as when sitting, do not put more weight on one buttock than the other. Do not cross your legs or ankles. Sit with both feet on the floor. Chances are quite good that you have been compensating for the sciatic pain...and it is important to be aware if you are favoring one side over the other.

Also, I just wanted to mention that I think almost every single spine patient continues to have some degree of "pain" after surgery. I am going in for my one year check-up tomorrow from my 3 level fusion. Since the 4th day I have been what I consider pain-free. But, if the weather is cold and damp, I have some aches. If I bend too many times in one day, my piriformis acts up, etc. and I expect this will probably continue for the rest of my life.

Perhaps some patients have the expectation of being completely free from pain after they heal from surgery...but I think that would be unrealistic.

TingleFoot

so, i'm just a little over 4 months now. and i'm happy to report that things are still improving. a week ago i was having some leg discomfort and numbness in the front...it scared me a little, but i rode it out. promised myself if it wasnt better in one week that i'd make a call. and sure enough it worked itself out. that's been happening to different degrees all along. two steps forward, one step back. but once i'm over that particular hump, i feel great.

been continuing my therapy at home. and been using the pool. i just use some floats in the deep end and gently bicycle kick for a half-hour at a time. it feels fantastic...the muscles around the area relax instantly.

driving still sucks. but again, it is improving. the towel trick is helping.

also, it's amazing how many people i've run into since my surgery who've had vertebrae fused! anywhere from 18 y/o to 60. he11, i even found out a cousin three states over had it done years ago!

anyhoo, hope all is well. i gotta keep on, keepin' on!

it's only 4 months, and i'm happy with my decision...but i'm still not ready to say [I]it[/I].