Re: Swimming post-revision

[Guest guest]

Hi Annette,

I started back in the water first just doing work in the deep end with

a flotation belt by myself...walking, jogging or scissor kicking with

various arm movements. Then I went on Amazon and found some books that

had water exercises in them and used them for awhile. I did get my PT

(who usually doesn't work in the water) to come meet me at the pool one

day since years ago she had done a lot of aquatics and she showed me

some routines that I incorporated and still use today.

When I finally felt well enough to challenge myself again I started lap

swimming. DrRand had suggested that it would probably be easier to do

the back stroke, at least initially, and as I recall that was mostly

true. For almost the whole first year that I swam laps after surgery I

used the aquajogger flotation belt while I was swimming and I recommend

you try this if you are feeling at all awkward. (Of course other

patrons may look at you kind of funny, but I really didn't care!).

Swimming with the belt does a couple things. First...if you put it

snugly around your waist it gives you a very nice feeling of support

right in the lumbar area and it also holds you in a good and high

position in the water. Since I am fused fairly high, T4, and since this

permanant posture doesn't permit much flexing it made it so I could

strengthen the arms, shoulders and upper back without feeling like I

was drowning. I found the belt also made it easier to rotate in the

water...probably because more to of my body was out of the water and

thus there was less resistance.

As I gained strength and confidence that I would be able to swim fairly

well I decided that I needed more information on proper stroke

technique. Coincidently my husband had found a site dedicated to

working with tri-athletes to help improve their swimming form. The

method is called Total Immersion and as of today it has gone way beyond

it's initial purpose. Today it is a method that devotes itself to

helping everyone become a better swimmer. You may actually be able to

go to one of their workshops down the road as they are all over the

country. There are also books and DVD's. I really was not interested in

becomming a competitive swimmer....but I was very interested and

intrigued with the notion that part of forward momentum in the water is

created by the bodies rotation on the long axis (head to toe) and that

thinking about rolling the whole body instead of trying to lift the arm

and twist the head for a breath was the correct way to rotary breath!

It was like it was information written for us revisees! Now when I swim

I really just think about lifting my hip (and as you say, keeping the

abs sucked in toward your spine) and then a nice easy stroke.

Of course others have very good luck with a snorkel...but I always seem

to breath in water when I use one so I prefer to stick with rotary

breathing. I have never had any troubles with the breaststroke or

backstroke and just to challenge myself last year I added a few sets of

butterfly to my routine (although I use hand paddles for this).

Anyway...don't give up the ship. If you were not much of a swimmer

before surgery, or even if you were, it will more than likely be a

sport you can do for the rest of your life and it will have some

challenges for you. If you could do it all today you would get bored

with it and not have anything to look forward to. Just get a aqua

jogger and go for it!

I did try a specific aquatherapy program given by our local hospital

where the PT's took about 6 of us into the water together and would

work with each patient in succession....but I honestly didn't get much

out of this and it was very expensive. I like working a program on my

own I guess...but if you find the right person to work with no doubt

you could get much better results.

Hope this helps.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi, Annette.

I don't have as much helpful to say as Cam, but I too have been swimming since revision. I'm not doing so now, because I've had trouble with infected ingrown toenails, and I'm convinced that I can heal them more safely if I avoid it for the time being.

But my tips would be to use a snorkle at first, as I returned to swimming at about 10 weeks, and turning my body for rotary breathing was difficult and painful. Also, I found the water at my health club so cool that I could not get warm in the shape I was in at the time. So I was lucky enough to find a therapy pool (thanks to our friend ), and the warm water there was just perfect for the slow, relaxed swimming I needed to do. I did some elementary backstroke, as Cam mentioned, but I was most comfortable doing breast stroke with the snorkle. I could swim 30-40 minutes without ever coming up for air! I also did some easy moves in the deep end with a floatation device, chatting with Val and other fellow pool-users. It was a morale-boost as well as exercise. If only I hadn't developed the infections!

Sharon

[ ] Re: Swimming post-revision

Hi Annette,I started back in the water first just doing work in the deep end with a flotation belt by myself...walking, jogging or scissor kicking with various arm movements. Then I went on Amazon and found some books that had water exercises in them and used them for awhile. I did get my PT (who usually doesn't work in the water) to come meet me at the pool one day since years ago she had done a lot of aquatics and she showed me some routines that I incorporated and still use today.When I finally felt well enough to challenge myself again I started lap swimming. DrRand had suggested that it would probably be easier to do the back stroke, at least initially, and as I recall that was mostly true. For almost the whole first year that I swam laps after surgery I used the aquajogger flotation belt while I was swimming and I recommend you try this if you are feeling at all awkward. (Of course other patrons may look at you kind of funny, but I really didn't care!).Swimming with the belt does a couple things. First...if you put it snugly around your waist it gives you a very nice feeling of support right in the lumbar area and it also holds you in a good and high position in the water. Since I am fused fairly high, T4, and since this permanant posture doesn't permit much flexing it made it so I could strengthen the arms, shoulders and upper back without feeling like I was drowning. I found the belt also made it easier to rotate in the water...probably because more to of my body was out of the water and thus there was less resistance.As I gained strength and confidence that I would be able to swim fairly well I decided that I needed more information on proper stroke technique. Coincidently my husband had found a site dedicated to working with tri-athletes to help improve their swimming form. The method is called Total Immersion and as of today it has gone way beyond it's initial purpose. Today it is a method that devotes itself to helping everyone become a better swimmer. You may actually be able to go to one of their workshops down the road as they are all over the country. There are also books and DVD's. I really was not interested in becomming a competitive swimmer....but I was very interested and intrigued with the notion that part of forward momentum in the water is created by the bodies rotation on the long axis (head to toe) and that thinking about rolling the whole body instead of trying to lift the arm and twist the head for a breath was the correct way to rotary breath! It was like it was information written for us revisees! Now when I swim I really just think about lifting my hip (and as you say, keeping the abs sucked in toward your spine) and then a nice easy stroke. Of course others have very good luck with a snorkel...but I always seem to breath in water when I use one so I prefer to stick with rotary breathing. I have never had any troubles with the breaststroke or backstroke and just to challenge myself last year I added a few sets of butterfly to my routine (although I use hand paddles for this).Anyway...don't give up the ship. If you were not much of a swimmer before surgery, or even if you were, it will more than likely be a sport you can do for the rest of your life and it will have some challenges for you. If you could do it all today you would get bored with it and not have anything to look forward to. Just get a aqua jogger and go for it!I did try a specific aquatherapy program given by our local hospital where the PT's took about 6 of us into the water together and would work with each patient in succession....but I honestly didn't get much out of this and it was very expensive. I like working a program on my own I guess...but if you find the right person to work with no doubt you could get much better results.Hope this helps.Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

>

> Hi, Annette.

>

I've been swimming with a snorkle and facemask. At first, I did the

crawl one lap before stopping. I slowly worked up some upper body

strength and endurance. I'm now at 24 laps (48 lengths), using

mostly the crawl, but when I tire, I am able to switch to the breast

stroke, and then back again when I'm ready.

I'm building up my confidence also. When I can do a bit more, I'll

try with goggles only and maybe even try something close to the Total

Immersion technique. (I'll take another strong look at their web

site before doing it.)

It may be a crutch, but its so nice to swim and get stronger while

not worrying about breathing.

By the way, I've noticed that if I turn the right side of my body

into the water a bit too much (or look too much straight down in the

pool), that's when the snorkle fills with water. If I pay attention

and don't turn that way, I pretty much avoid water in the snorkle.

> I don't have as much helpful to say as Cam, but I too have been

swimming since revision. I'm not doing so now, because I've had

trouble with infected ingrown toenails, and I'm convinced that I can

heal them more safely if I avoid it for the time being.

>

> But my tips would be to use a snorkle at first, as I returned to

swimming at about 10 weeks, and turning my body for rotary breathing

was difficult and painful. Also, I found the water at my health club

so cool that I could not get warm in the shape I was in at the time.

So I was lucky enough to find a therapy pool (thanks to our friend

), and the warm water there was just perfect for the slow,

relaxed swimming I needed to do. I did some elementary backstroke,

as Cam mentioned, but I was most comfortable doing breast stroke with

the snorkle. I could swim 30-40 minutes without ever coming up for

air! I also did some easy moves in the deep end with a floatation

device, chatting with Val and other fellow pool-users. It was a

morale-boost as well as exercise. If only I hadn't developed the

infections!

>

> Sharon

[Guest guest]

Hi , Is swimming typically recommended for Pre-Revision folks?? (just curious, I'm not planning on trying it at this point).. Seem's like it would be hard to exit the pool without an injury!! ??? Thanks, Ken. Blackledge <scottb2@...> wrote: >> Hi, Annette.> I've been swimming with a snorkle and facemask. At first, I did the crawl one lap before stopping. I slowly worked up some upper body strength and endurance. I'm now at 24 laps (48 lengths), using mostly the crawl, but when I tire, I am able to switch to the breast stroke, and then back again when I'm ready.I'm building up my confidence also. When I can do a bit more, I'll try with goggles only and maybe even try something close to the Total Immersion technique. (I'll take another strong look at their web site before doing it.)It may be a crutch, but its so nice to swim and get stronger while not worrying about breathing.By the way, I've noticed that if I turn the right side of my body into the water a bit too much (or look too much straight down in the pool), that's when the snorkle fills with water. If I pay attention and don't turn that way, I pretty much

avoid water in the snorkle.> I don't have as much helpful to say as Cam, but I too have been swimming since revision. I'm not doing so now, because I've had trouble with infected ingrown toenails, and I'm convinced that I can heal them more safely if I avoid it for the time being. > > But my tips would be to use a snorkle at first, as I returned to swimming at about 10 weeks, and turning my body for rotary breathing was difficult and painful. Also, I found the water at my health club so cool that I could not get warm in the shape I was in at the time. So I was lucky enough to find a therapy pool (thanks to our friend ), and the warm water there was just perfect for the slow, relaxed swimming I needed to do. I did some elementary backstroke, as Cam mentioned, but I was most comfortable doing breast stroke with the snorkle. I could swim 30-40 minutes without ever coming up for air! I

also did some easy moves in the deep end with a floatation device, chatting with Val and other fellow pool-users. It was a morale-boost as well as exercise. If only I hadn't developed the infections!> > Sharon

oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

[Guest guest]

Hi Ken,

Most of the pools I would be using have steps and a hand rail so its

really not hard to get in or out. I'll also give you the standard " ask

your doctor " to see if swimming is recommended, but I can't say I've

ever heard of swimming being bad for anyone. ( Racine, any input

here?) I'd think that anything that is easy on your body and helps

build your strength and general fitness is probably a winner.

>

> Hi ,

>

> Is swimming typically recommended for Pre-Revision folks?? (just

curious, I'm not planning on trying it at this point)..

>

> Seem's like it would be hard to exit the pool without an

injury!! ???

>

> Thanks, Ken.

[Guest guest]

Ken, I swam a lot pre-revision, and exited the pool using either the ladder or the stairs. It was how I got in shape for the big surgery, that and gentle weight-training and light bicycling, as walking was no good at all for me. Post revision I've enjoyed swimming with a snorkle. Wish I'd tried it years ago.

Sharon

Re: [ ] Re: Swimming post-revision

Hi ,

Is swimming typically recommended for Pre-Revision folks?? (just curious, I'm not planning on trying it at this point)..

Seem's like it would be hard to exit the pool without an injury!! ???

Thanks, Ken.

Blackledge <scottb2bigfoot> wrote:

>> Hi, Annette.> I've been swimming with a snorkle and facemask. At first, I did the crawl one lap before stopping. I slowly worked up some upper body strength and endurance. I'm now at 24 laps (48 lengths), using mostly the crawl, but when I tire, I am able to switch to the breast stroke, and then back again when I'm ready.I'm building up my confidence also. When I can do a bit more, I'll try with goggles only and maybe even try something close to the Total Immersion technique. (I'll take another strong look at their web site before doing it.)It may be a crutch, but its so nice to swim and get stronger while not worrying about breathing.By the way, I've noticed that if I turn the right side of my body into the water a bit too much (or look too much straight down in the pool), that's when the snorkle fills with water. If I pay attention and don't turn that way, I pretty much avoid water in the snorkle.> I don't have as much helpful to say as Cam, but I too have been swimming since revision. I'm not doing so now, because I've had trouble with infected ingrown toenails, and I'm convinced that I can heal them more safely if I avoid it for the time being. > > But my tips would be to use a snorkle at first, as I returned to swimming at about 10 weeks, and turning my body for rotary breathing was difficult and painful. Also, I found the water at my health club so cool that I could not get warm in the shape I was in at the time. So I was lucky enough to find a therapy pool (thanks to our friend ), and the warm water there was just perfect for the slow, relaxed swimming I needed to do. I did some elementary backstroke, as Cam mentioned, but I was most comfortable doing breast stroke with the snorkle. I could swim 30-40 minutes without ever coming up for air! I also did some easy moves in the deep end with a floatation device, chatting with Val and other fellow pool-users. It was a morale-boost as well as exercise. If only I hadn't developed the infections!> > Sharon

oneSearch: Finally, mobile search that gives answers, not web links.

[Guest guest]

I was swimming every morning for a few months prior to surgery and it

helped me tremendously. During the last few weeks, my lower back

and/or hips would sometimes hurt afterwards. Dr. Boachie said the

swimming, in general, was a good pre-surgery exercise, but to modify

my stroke if it resulted in pain. I realize that sounds like very

obvious advice, but looking back, until he said that I just kept

swimming even though I had pain immediately afterwards. I could not

identify any particular movement or stroke that was triggering the

pain, so I just stopped doing it about 2 weeks prior to surgery and I

felt better. I think my disks were just so inflamed at that point

that I needed to give them a rest. I do some PT in the pool now

(love it) and I look very forward to the day I can get back to

swimming as my primary exercise. All in good time....

Ann Marie

> >

> > Hi ,

> >

> > Is swimming typically recommended for Pre-Revision folks??

(just

> curious, I'm not planning on trying it at this point)..

> >

> > Seem's like it would be hard to exit the pool without an

> injury!! ???

> >

> > Thanks, Ken.

>

[Guest guest]

Another pre-surgery swimmer here. I enrolled in a water aerobics class

at my local community college and enjoyed the hour of open swim before

the class. I have never been able to do the straight forward swimming,

but the side stroke worked very well for me (except for the strain of

holding up my head with all that hair -- one big reason I cut it!)

Between the cardio exercise of swimming and using the styrofoam weights

in the water aerobics class, I think this is one thing that really

helped me be in good shape for surgery. I went twice a week from

September to November and four days per week from January to March (I

had to skip 6 weeks after abdominal surgery)

I have enrolled in two classes for this fall so I can continue going

four days per week. I can't do all the exercises, but I can keep

moving in the water!

One nice thing about the pool I go to -- it has a handicapped ramp into

the pool and the hot tub has stair steps. Otherwise, I wouldn't be

able to use it until at least 6 months after surgery. I haven't been

cleared for my home hot tub yet, or driving my stick shift car.

I started a new job last week! I am teaching in a virtual high

school. That means that my students read their assignments on the

internet, and the computer immediately grades their homework (thank God

I am a math teacher!). When they have questions, they press a button

and a chat screen comes up on my computer. I can chat with up to five

students at a time. We can also email and they sometimes call on the

phone. I was a little worried about taking a job that requires so much

sitting, but I do stand up and pace and I brought some 3 pound weights

to work so I can try to get rid of some of this flab on my arms (since

there is not so much fat in there now!)

A couple of weeks ago, some of us got together and took our old surgeon

out to lunch. He was thrilled that we invited him and we let him

choose the restaurant. We had a delicious Indian buffet, and we sat

there for almost 4 hours talking. He said he had done around 450

Harrington rod procedures and felt bad that they didn't know how it was

going to affect us in the long term. He said he felt particularly bad

for people like me who had flatback immediately after surgery. He was

impressed with how well we are doing (we are all 3 patients of Dr

Bridwell, too) and we were impressed with how well he is doing. He has

got to be in his 90s. He said he had been in practice here since 1950

and he still does some orthopedic consulting.

We had a great time and some great food.

>

> Ken, I swam a lot pre-revision, and exited the pool using either the

ladder or the stairs. It was how I got in shape for the big surgery,

that and gentle weight-training and light bicycling, as walking was no

good at all for me. Post revision I've enjoyed swimming with a

snorkle. Wish I'd tried it years ago.

>

> Sharon

[Guest guest]

Suzanne,

What a nice opportunity that you and the others got to meet with your

old surgeon! I email my original surgeon once or twice a year and he

is really good about emailing me back right away. I even sent him

the digital xrays of my " before " pics to really show him the flatback

stuff that I had developed, in spite of the " curved " Luque rods. He

was very nice about writing me back and thanked me for keeping him up-

to-date on how things were going for me. When I get some

good " after " xrays, I plan on emailing those to him as well.

And congrats on your new job! It sounds like a really interesting

opportunity to be able to do everything online And congrats on

continuing with your swimming.

> >

> > Ken, I swam a lot pre-revision, and exited the pool using either

the

> ladder or the stairs. It was how I got in shape for the big

surgery,

> that and gentle weight-training and light bicycling, as walking was

no

> good at all for me. Post revision I've enjoyed swimming with a

> snorkle. Wish I'd tried it years ago.

> >

> > Sharon

>