Hi, I'm new here

[lrpfeil]

I am 49 years old and had a long fusion (no instrumentation) at the AI DuPont Institute on April 1, 1974. My surgeon was Dr. G. Dean McEwen. I'm fused from T-4 to L-4. I basically have one unfused level below my fusion. I am extremely active (run, swim, bike, etc.) but I do have quite a bit of left side (butt) pain. I hope that some day I might be a candidate for an artificial disc at that one level that isn't fused, which is my problem area.

I live in Lancaster, PA.

Does anyone know a good doctor in that area? I am near Hershey, Baltimore, Philadelphia...I'd really love to find a PT familiar with people with long fusions. And I'd like to be seen by a doctor who could track my progress and not be totally oriented toward doing more fusing...

Also, does anyone know about any information about working out/exercises etc. for folks with long fusions? There are things we can't do due to our inflexible backs, of course, and I'm wondering if anyone has ever addressed this. How to strengthen your back when it doesn't bend. Most ab and back exercises involve bending (like crunches)

I notice this board is not too active!! But I'm happy to have found it!

Thanks!

[nzgirl]

Hi,
Welcome...
In terms of ab exercises, I do the leg lowering kind, rather than crunches. Look at some of the pilates 100 kinds, they should be suitable and challenging. For cardio I swim, walk, bike, cross train. When I'm being good that is!
Hope this helps.

[debbei]

Hi and Welcome!

I'm really no expert on the types of exercises to strengthen your back and abs; however, I have recently started to do some in PT. I was fused 10/15 of this past year from T3 to L3. My physical therapist is doing so many things with me to strengthen those muscles. Some of them are on my back with those big rubber band things. Others are on a exercise ball (on my hands and knees.) Also, there are many exercises I can do on the total gym that will strengthen my core. I was so surprised that all of these exercise options would work for my needs.

I'd recommend that once you find a doctor, you ask for PT so you can be guided through to learn. You're not kidding about some PT's not knowing about long fusions. The place I went prior to surgery said they never had a patient with that long a fusion, so I found another place to go. I am very happy where I am now, and was prescribed 8 weeks, 3x per week. I think you'll just have to ask around in your area for good PT's, and then interview them on their experience.

Good luck,

[lrpfeil]

Thanks!!! I'd LOVE to find a good doctor and/or PT in my area!!! Someone experienced with people "like me"!

[discombobulated]

Hi lrpfeil,

I don't have much to add to the suggestions you've gotten so far, but just wanted to pop in & say welcome aboard :) I hope you can find a solution to the pain & will one day be able to get that disc replacement if that's what might help.

I'm incredibly lucky in that my PTs know my history (fused from T3-ish right down, through all the lumbar spine, with bilateral anchoring into my pelvis). Mostly, I go as needed for work on my cervical spine (neck), but a good physio will definitely be able to help you figure out a plan to help you out with whichever areas are of concern. Even if you find a PT who is experienced with long fusions, it can be a good idea to take along your most recent x-rays just to give the PT a clearer look at exactly how you're set up, any areas to avoid working on, & any areas that might be prone to needing extra attention.

As for things like ab crunches - please ask your doctor/surgeon/physio about this before trying, but there are some ways to strengthen ab/core muscles without bending the spine "crunch-style". The one that come to mind from a discussion here quite some time ago is lying on your back (try your bed - not the floor!) or sitting comfortably, & pulling your legs in toward your abdominal area. This should be done not by bending the spine, but by flexing the hips. Again, though - please make sure you check any exercises that you read about anywhere with your doc or physio before attempting - everyone's body is so different, & being fused to different levels complicates things majorly. No use doing damage when you're trying to improve things!

Best of luck with finding answers to this - & again, welcome aboard :) You're right that these boards aren't the most active around, but so many of the members are just mines of wisdom & hard-earned experience. I'll look forward to reading more from you.

Best wishes.

[lrpfeil]

Thanks and don't worry. I don't "crunch" since I don't bend. I've been doing push ups lately and I really think they are strengthening my back. It's been feeling better. Maybe it's the positive vibes from coming here:)

I have been given the ab execises by a PT that involve "marching" with your legs while lying on your back with your knees up and bent.

Again, THANKS!!

It is SO nice to find other people "like me"!!!!