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  • walking up and down hills-advice needed

    I am 6 weeks post-op today and doing well so far. We are having a taste of spring here in Illinois so my husband and I have been walking outside. Today, we walked a bike trail with a couple of hills. I am planning to meet one of my golfing buddies tomorrow and walk a few holes on the cartpath as she plays. Almost all of the holes have hills. I didn't think about the hills (not severe) until my parents questioned that it might be too soon for me. It didn't bother me today, although it's definitely harder than walking on level roads. I am doing so well, I sure don't want to do something stupid. I won't have time to call Dr. Lenke's office in the a.m. to ask since I never receive a call back until late afternoon. I'd appreciate any advice about cancelling tomorrow if the hills might put too much pressure on the surgery.
    Karen

    Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
    Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
    70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
    Rib Hump-GONE!
    Age-60 at the time of surgery
    Now 66
    Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
    Retired Kdgn. Teacher

    See photobucket link for:
    Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
    Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
    tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
    http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

  • #2
    This is still fresh in my mind since I heard it only yesterday, at my pre-op appt: Rose (the RN) said any and all walking is fine - including hills - as long as the surface of the land isn't irregular or slippery (falling hazzard).

    If you decide to go, have a nice time with your friend, and enjoy the weather! I live in northern IL, so I know what you mean (it has been a long winter!). . .and my sister-in-law in southern IL has me jealous with her weather report!
    Fused T-3 to L-3, Aug 25
    Hardware removal surgery, Nov 2, 2010
    Fused T-10 to L-2, osteotomy, Feb 22, 2011

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks so much for responding. I didn't think I'd heard or read not to walk hills, but I thought maybe I'd missed that.
      Karen
      Karen

      Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
      Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
      70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
      Rib Hump-GONE!
      Age-60 at the time of surgery
      Now 66
      Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
      Retired Kdgn. Teacher

      See photobucket link for:
      Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
      Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
      tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
      http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Karen,

        I was told early on to avoid a lot of stair climbing, but I think hills were okay as long as I took it easy. It can be uncomfortable at first because you naturally lean forward a bit when walking uphill. I used a cane for the first few months, which gave me support outside, but some people use walking sticks or even ski poles to help steady themselves. Glad you're doing so well.
        Chris
        A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
        Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
        Post-op curve: 12 degrees
        Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

        Comment


        • #5
          You should be fine, but don't overpush yourself. I remember at your point in recovery, even if I walked too far on level ground, I would get muscle spasms. I remember this feeling that the muscles back there were moving back and forth.

          Enjoy your walk!
          __________________________________________
          Debbe - 50 yrs old

          Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
          Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

          Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
          Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
          Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

          Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
          Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

          Comment


          • #6
            I have been walking outside for the last week, and we have some smaller hills around my neighborhood, and one large steep one. I haven't noticed any significant pain after walking up and down the smaller hills (though, I don't walk too fast yet lol) but one day I wasn't thinking about it and walked up the big steep hill and I did end up having more pain than usual that evening. My surgeon's rule of thumb is, if you hurt for more than 2 hours after doing your walk/exercise, you over did it.

            Hope you have fun with your friend! =)
            Rebecca
            Age: 28
            Dx w/ scoli @ age 12 S curves T-40* L-42*
            wore night bending brace as teenager
            Curves changed to 50's plus or minus
            herniated disc L2-3, Discectomy October 2007
            fusion L2-3 November 2008
            Revision L2-3 Fusion, Removal of hardware August 2009
            Curves measuring 52 T&L September 2010
            Fused T4-L4, all posterior December 27th 2010
            gained almost two inches in height

            Before and After Exterior
            Before and After X-rays
            My blog: http://herscoliosisjourney.blogspot.com/

            Comment


            • #7
              I don't know about walking hills, but I am so glad to hear how well you are doing. Enjoy the "spring-like" weather and your trip to the golf course.

              Today, it warmed up in Massachusetts and it felt great!

              Best wishes,
              Irene

              Comment


              • #8
                I thought of you Karen, the other day. We had a golf tournament on the Gold Coast and there was an American golfer, Stacey ....someone (sorry, I forget her surname) who had spinal fusion surgery, and she played extremely well. Much was made of her amazing game considering she was fused etc.

                Enjoy your walk, take it easy and I am sure you will be just fine.
                Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                Comment


                • #9
                  So, did you go? Did you feel OK afterward? If you felt fine physically, I would guess that it felt really good emotionally. . .like you're getting closer to having your normal life back. Have I guessed correctly?
                  Fused T-3 to L-3, Aug 25
                  Hardware removal surgery, Nov 2, 2010
                  Fused T-10 to L-2, osteotomy, Feb 22, 2011

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thanks, everyone. I walked 4 holes yesterday at the golf course and did fine. My friend stopped and had lunch with me and then went back out. It was the second day in a row that I have lunch out. How nice! I love my house, but boy does staying in get old. I just got in from walking over a mile, but had some achiness today. I'm trying ice for the first time on my back. I hope our spring-like weather continues.
                    Jennifer: The golfer you saw is Stacy Lewis. She is the celebrity spokesperson for the Scoliosis Research Society. She was in the top 20 on the LPGA tour money list last year and I think maybe named "Rookie of the Year" a couple of years ago.
                    Karen

                    Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                    Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                    70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                    Rib Hump-GONE!
                    Age-60 at the time of surgery
                    Now 66
                    Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                    Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                    See photobucket link for:
                    Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                    Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                    tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                    http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by golfnut View Post
                      Thanks, everyone. I walked 4 holes yesterday at the golf course and did fine. My friend stopped and had lunch with me and then went back out. It was the second day in a row that I have lunch out. How nice! I love my house, but boy does staying in get old. I just got in from walking over a mile, but had some achiness today. I'm trying ice for the first time on my back. I hope our spring-like weather continues.
                      Jennifer: The golfer you saw is Stacy Lewis. She is the celebrity spokesperson for the Scoliosis Research Society. She was in the top 20 on the LPGA tour money list last year and I think maybe named "Rookie of the Year" a couple of years ago.
                      How long is her fusion? It's amazing what some of us are capable of after this surgery.
                      __________________________________________
                      Debbe - 50 yrs old

                      Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                      Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                      Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                      Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                      Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                      Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                      Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Stacy Lewis was diagnosed at age 11 and wore a back brace 7 1/2 years taking it off only to play golf. After getting a golf scholarship to U of Arkansas, she was told the brace didn't work and she would need surgery. I don't know how long the fusion is, but I remember that it didn't get into the lumbar which preserved her flexibility. I think she is 25 or 26 and is very successful as a LPGA pro and donates to Scoliosis Research.
                        Karen

                        Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                        Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                        70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                        Rib Hump-GONE!
                        Age-60 at the time of surgery
                        Now 66
                        Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                        Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                        See photobucket link for:
                        Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                        Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                        tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                        http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I'm glad you asked the walking up hills question Karen, I was wondering the same thing. I live in the mountains and nothing in my "neighborhood" is flat. Everyone's responses seem to indicate that hills are okay but to take it easy at first. I am so impressed at how well you're doing at 6 weeks - I wish I was 6 weeks out... congratulations on your progress!!
                          Cathy from CA
                          59 years old
                          70 degree curve before surgery
                          Original surgery March 2011, anterior and posterior
                          T3 - sacrum
                          UCSF, Dr. V. Deviren
                          Infection after two weeks,
                          Then four more weeks in the hospital and three more surgeries to clean out the infection

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Karen, I know this is a random question but. . .do you post on the STL P-D food forum as "golfnut"? Or are there 2 "golfnut"s in my cyber world?
                            Fused T-3 to L-3, Aug 25
                            Hardware removal surgery, Nov 2, 2010
                            Fused T-10 to L-2, osteotomy, Feb 22, 2011

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              There must be 2 of us. I read the STL P-D daily. I'll have to check it out.
                              Karen

                              Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                              Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                              70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                              Rib Hump-GONE!
                              Age-60 at the time of surgery
                              Now 66
                              Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                              Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                              See photobucket link for:
                              Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                              Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                              tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                              http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                              Comment

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