Re: Back Problems Causing Slow Recovery!

[Guest guest]

Hi,

Like many others my back was a big mess preop because of the hip

hassles....... I have at least 4 different areas of vertebra very worn and

full of arthritis. Because of the fused hip I couldn't really do much to

exercise the lower part successfully so it was just deteriorating along with

the rest of my joints....... 18 months on it is all slowly easing.........

I have measured my progress in terms of how much painkiller I need each

night after doing anything much.......... I started with needing well over

30 mls of codine plus extras like a bit of valium to quieten the back enough

to sleep........these days I am finding I can do heaps more with just a

panadol or nothing........ Like I hauled a suitcase around railways

yesterday, flew for 3 hours in a plane, had at least an hour home in the car

and had no back pain when I lay down........... Now that is my version of a

miracle. Especially as the day before I had spent hours on concrete

pavements walking........ that needed 10 mls of codine........smile.

When talking to my surgeon on Tuesday his first question was how's the

back........ He could see that the hip was doing fabulously well........

Backs take a bit more to settle it seems, for first they have to readjust

to walking differently again....... most don't regain instant perfect

walking......... and age doesn't seem to let adjusting happen quite so fast

was when we were young things.......... so that is gradual. I think it helps

to deliberately set out to help the back - I did mine with swimming, others

do a range of land exercises.......

So the name of the game is patience.........and deliberate programs on the

back to help strengthen it......... My OS told me that there is little that

can be successfully done with backs that beats getting it fit and keeping it

that way..........My situations seems to suggest he is right..........

Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02

> Back problems can really effect your entire life. If your back hurts, it

> seems to seep into everything you do, even sleep. The Doctors here in

> America planned on fusing my spine, L4, buldging,

spondylolisthesis. The

> pain was so horrible, that i actually fainted once, while my daughters and

i

> were getting into the car to go to dinner. I would cry out at night

from the

> pain, as i could not move without a stabbing nightmare. Fusion was the

> answer. Finally, i went to a doctor in Houston who i found on the

internet.

> His credentials were awesome. He told me, it was not my spine, it was

my

> hips, and the torquing of the hips was causing the problem in my spine.

> I had both hips resurfaced.

[Guest guest]

Hi Edith,

Good to hear from you again. You've been an inspiration to so

many.

I think your comments about problem backs, and the need to keep

fit and keep it that way, are really important for all of us with

existing spinal problems. My hip is as good as new and my (operated)

knees are really good, too. However, I have to be careful about

posture and gait with regards my back. (3 slipped discs in 2000.)

For keeping my back fit I do exercises, including Pilates, and keep

my TA muscles strong to act as a girdle to provide back support. If I

have a short rest after being out all day, I keep shifting position

on the bed, turning over from side to side (like toasting bread!),

and that does seem to get the stiffness out. These are my

alternatives to swimming as I don't have access to a pool. I also

lift hand weights (when I don't have an RA flare-up in the hands and

wrists). When out walking I try to work on my posture, and really

need to remember when going *uphill* as that is when my back

protests! Of course, I'm always forgetting, and then my back reminds

me!

It sounds as if your checkup with your surgeon was very positive,

Edith, and you look as if you managed the travel very well. I'm very

happy for you.

Virginia (right Birmingham m-o-m on THR stem, 27/08/03, Journeaux)

I think it helps

> to deliberately set out to help the back - I did mine with

swimming, others

> do a range of land exercises.......

>

> So the name of the game is patience.........and deliberate programs

on the

> back to help strengthen it......... My OS told me that there is

little that

> can be successfully done with backs that beats getting it fit and

keeping it

> that way..........My situations seems to suggest he is

right..........

>

> Edith LBHR Dr. L Walter Syd Aust 8/02