Stationary Bikes, Elipticals, Recumbent Bikes-when allowed??

[golfnut]

I am almost 8 months post-op and doing well ( I think. ) I have been walking long distances and going to water aerobics several days a week. Our YMCA pool is going to be closed for a week so I thought I would check with Dr. Lenke's recommended physical therapist to see which would be the best: stationary bike, eliptical, or recumbent bike to replace my workouts in the water. She thought I should wait a year before using any of them. Dr. Lenke has said that it's fine and I even rode my moutain bike last week. After a squirrel ran across the street right in front of my bike, I decided to put it away until next summer. Anyway, my questions is . . . have those of you fused to the sacrum been allowed to use any of these before a year?

[loves to skate]

Karen,
I really can't remember. I'm guessing it was sometime around 10 months when I was cleared to go back to roller skating. I would think that the elliptical would be safe if you take it easy. It seems to me that I used a stationary bike as part of my PT at six months post-op.
Sally

[Shari]

Karen,
I don't often look at pictures. I don't know why??? A weird mental thing I guess I have to say I am very happy I looked at your correction. All I can say is Wow, and congratulations.

Regards,
Shari

[walkingmom]

Karen,

I am almost 4 mos. post-op and fused to L3, not the sacrum. However, like you, I have been walking long distances (> 4 mi/day). This week, I just rec'd permission from my surgeon to use the elliptical and ride a stationery bike with the reminder to keep my back straight. Before my surgery, I was a regular elliptical user. A couple of days ago, I used the elliptical for the first time. Of course I was at the lowest level and I really had to concentrate on keeping straight and not to lean in any way. It was great though to actually feel like I was doing a workout, even though it was only 15 minutes long!
Donna

[mabeckoff]

Karen,

I am almost 4 mos. post-op and fused to L3, not the sacrum. However, like you, I have been walking long distances (> 4 mi/day). This week, I just rec'd permission from my surgeon to use the elliptical and ride a stationery bike with the reminder to keep my back straight. Before my surgery, I was a regular elliptical user. A couple of days ago, I used the elliptical for the first time. Of course I was at the lowest level and I really had to concentrate on keeping straight and not to lean in any way. It was great though to actually feel like I was doing a workout, even though it was only 15 minutes long!
Donna

Good for you

Melissa

[golfnut]

Thanks, Shari. I am pleased with my "new back." I was extremely self conscious of my rib hump as people were always standing behind me as I was bent forward teeing off when playing golf.

Donna: I was looking forward to a good workout on the elliptical, but I guess I will wait.

[walkingmom]

Karen,

I don't blame you at all for waiting. I plan to only do the elliptical 3x a week if that much. The weather has been so nice that I have really enjoyed the outdoor walking instead. So even at the low level that I am doing, I am just trying to strengthen my quads a little more and I most definitely don't use the arms.
Donna

[JenniferG]

We had rain for a few days and I didn't get any walking done so I overdid it on the eliptical, resulting in pain down left buttock and the front of left thigh for a few days. An old, familiar, unpleasant pain I hadn't had in 2.5 years. An unpleasant reminder, as it was the first pain I'd since about 3 months post op.