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Major spinal surgery

(18 Posts)
celebgran Wed 20-Dec-17 23:27:17

I was sent home after 2 days but it was too early I could do stairs for about week? We've gone other extreme now!

misswoosie Wed 20-Dec-17 23:08:19

celebgran- yes! Simple walking is really good for core muscle strength as is, as you say, pilates. Once upon a time people used to be "prescribed" corsets for back problems. Funny how things change. In the 80's people were kept on bed rest for about 2 weeks following a hip replacement and probably spent about 6 weeks on an acute hospital ward. Can you imagine that now? That bed would have had about 8 different hip replacement patients through it in that length of time nowadays.

celebgran Wed 20-Dec-17 19:19:21

Agree miswoosie yes had 4 lots of back physio was v good gave me confidence to use gymn equipment as physiotherapist was brilliant did Pilates and relaxation too she kept on about core muscles too. I must carry on with that.
Also go acquacsie once a week.
Thanks ladies ever so helpful read your comments.

misswoosie Wed 20-Dec-17 13:14:40

Sorry, meant to say that most surgeons are way too optomistic about recovery times after surgery as they're not really concerned or involved with rehabilitation apart from the periodic out patient appt's and they tend to view "success" from a purely surgical persepctive rather than looking at levels of disability and aspects of quality of life ie pain.

misswoosie Wed 20-Dec-17 13:09:45

are you having any physio treatment or do you do any "core" muscle strengthening exercises. Keeping your abdominal muscles strong can make a huge difference to back problems.

Nandalot Tue 19-Dec-17 20:15:52

Pleased it went well, celebgran. Take it easy and be patient!

midgey Tue 19-Dec-17 19:48:52

Sounds like you are at the frustration stage! You are miles better than you were but not better yet. This is the moment to be careful and realistic and in too much of a hurry. Be nice to yourself.

celebgran Tue 19-Dec-17 19:34:43

Thanks miepl if does me 25 years won't grumble will be 88

Thanks other ladies.

Gosh I was so relieved not to be paralysed or incontinet as if went wrong could have been?

I have improved so much stopped morphine now and can do lot more, just got be patient

Auntieflo Tue 19-Dec-17 18:51:49

Well done to you Celebgran. We are impatient with ourselves, because when younger, tended to heal much more quickly. But, slow and steady wins the race, so good luck to you on your journey.

Fennel Tue 19-Dec-17 17:52:41

That sounds serious, Celebgran. TG I don't have any experience of such a thing, but wish you well.
Except when I was having physio after my hip op. there was a young woman there who was still lying on her back after having a broken spine, and was learning to raise her legs.

Miep1 Tue 19-Dec-17 17:41:18

I had bolts and screws in my spine about 25 years ago, when they were first on offer (in France, the UK weren't upon to speed) and it worked well. Now it's wearing out a bit, but so am I!

celebgran Tue 19-Dec-17 15:24:55

I do agree grannyqueenie my surgeon did say could be 6 months but I was t warned about leg pain that god that has gone I still walk in funny way kind of wooden? However am now walking without stick manage stairs but difficult am getting there!
Having arthritic knees doesn't help!

celebgran Tue 19-Dec-17 15:22:29

Oh thanks ladies that's very reassuring
I did a lot yesterday and back aching quite bit today maybe I am Trying do too much to quickly?

grannyqueenie Tue 19-Dec-17 15:22:03

In my, admittedly limited experience, i.e. straightforward and routine surgery x 2 I found the orthopaedic docs were hopelessly unrealistic about how long full recovery would take. This can be very dispiriting, don’t give up, the truth is recovery will take as long as it takes for YOU, we’re all different. Good luck!

LadyGracie Tue 19-Dec-17 14:29:22

I had titanium bolts and screws fitted in my lower back about 9 years ago, my relief from pain was almost immediate but getting back to full fitness did take up to 9 months or so, now I’m able to do everything I could before my back problems started.

Charleygirl Tue 19-Dec-17 11:06:57

It takes around a year as you have had a spinal fusion and a decompression. It is the fusion which takes the longest.

Good luck.

celebgran Tue 19-Dec-17 09:55:22

Quite important should have said I had 2 titanium bolts inserted and decompression to release nerve

celebgran Tue 19-Dec-17 09:53:52

Hi all some of you know I had major operation on spine in august, 7th
It's been very slow recovery. Thank god am off morphine now and starting get more active,

Still get back twinges as soon as walk very far to stand long,
Be interested to hear anyone's experiences.
Am seeing surgeon end jan,
Saw him in September as had lot leg pain and numbness
Thank god that's better now,
I can walk short distances just trying without stick

He said can be six months for full recovery even longer got be patient been 4 months,