Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

The $64,000 question....just ow does one wipe themselves after fusion to sacrum?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • The $64,000 question....just ow does one wipe themselves after fusion to sacrum?

    I can see the problem. Imagine it visually. I even understand why it's an issue with the inability to bend forward and lack of flexibility from behind and not having long arms like an orangutan.

    I have been practicing sitting very straight on the seat, using baby wipes and trying to reach behind. I've been successful but I don't know how much of my success is due to the fact I still have my L5 disc.

    I think I can safely assume there is no one who will do this for you, so......how is it done?

    Also in another thread I will be adding some questions the inability to straighten both legs at the same time. With ALL due respect for Dr. Gupta, he is WRONG that I can't straighten my legs due to the hip flexor/hamstring issues. I have never been able to straighten my legs at the same time since the day after my first surgery. The day before my surgery, I could.

    But! (or shall I say Butt?) How does a patient wipe themselves?
    Last edited by Chihuahua Mama; 12-17-2014, 10:01 PM.
    Susan
    XLIF/Posterior Surgery 6/16/08. Fused T10-L5 in CA by Dr. Michael Kropf (don't go there unless it's simple, I hear he's at Cedar's now). Very deformed, had revision w/5 PSO's, rods from T-3 to sacrum including iliac screws, all posterior, 5/23/16 with Dr. Purnendu Gupta of Chicago.


    Owner of Chachi the Chihuahua, So Cal born and bred, now a resident of 'Chicagoland' Illinois. Uh, dislike it here....thank God there was ONE excellent spine surgeon in this area.

  • #2
    I think if I'd known this might be a problem before my surgery, I might have had a re-think. But happily, it's not a problem. I'm fused T4 - Sacrum. I can only do it using my left hand though (but you only need one!) I have a left curve.
    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


    • #3
      How about wiping by reaching through the front but with a backwards wiping motion - that is, starting from the anus and moving back?
      1st surgery: Fused T1-L3 in 1987 with contoured Harrington Rods. Rods broke at top.
      2nd surgery: Re-done two weeks later; fused C7-L3. Left in chronic pain.
      3rd surgery: Hardware removal 1997, but still pain for 30 years.
      4th Surgery: Fused to the sacrum in 2016. Came out of surgery with left foot paralysis. (Drop Foot) Can't walk on my own.
      I'm blessed to have found my peace and reason to live not from a husband or kids (I have none) but from God and within myself.

      Comment


      • #4
        It took about 3 weeks to give up my 'bottom buddy' wiper. Standing up really improves my ability to reach!
        Peg
        61 yrs old
        75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
        T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
        Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!

        Comment


        • #5
          Peggy, standing makes it easier for me too!
          T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
          C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
          T2--T10 fusion 2/11
          C 4-5 fusion 11/14
          Right scapulectomy 6/15
          Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
          To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
          Broken neck 9/28/2018
          Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
          Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
          Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
          Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
          Osteotomy

          Comment


          • #6
            I am fused t4 to the sacrum and remember thinking before surgery that my arms were surely long enough that the tongs wouldn't be necessary. After surgery, i was paranoid about bending or twisting and the tongs with Wipes did the trick. Keep in mind that it will be temporary like so many other things. Throughout the first year or two, as you start putting away grabbers, the sock aide, the elevated toilet, extra seat cushions and pillows, you realize that life is getting back to normal as you regain some flexibility.
            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


            • #7
              You will not know for many months what you will be able to do after surgery. I had my second Fusion surgery in 2011. I am finding even now,three years later,
              that there will be things that I can do now that I could not do last year.

              Just take it one day at a time

              Melissa
              Melissa

              Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

              April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

              Comment


              • #8
                why don't the hospitals have info pamphlets written by
                patients FOR patients...because no matter what the surgeon
                tells you, it is from one patient to another that the real truth
                is told, as far as reality of functioning after surgery.

                just sounds like something that should have been created
                and produced by patients and paid for and distributed by
                the hospitals.

                jess.....& Sparky

                Comment


                • #9
                  It's temporary for some, but not for others. It depends on one's length of fusion, weight, age, residual curve(s), etc. If you're fused C2-Sacrum, you have a very high likelihood of not being able to wipe without an aid.

                  I've never asked before, but can anyone with a long fusion (i.e., T10 or higher to the sacrum) wipe from the back?

                  --Linda
                  Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                  Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                  Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
                    It's temporary for some, but not for others. It depends on one's length of fusion, weight, age, residual curve(s), etc. If you're fused C2-Sacrum, you have a very high likelihood of not being able to wipe without an aid.

                    I've never asked before, but can anyone with a long fusion (i.e., T10 or higher to the sacrum) wipe from the back?

                    --Linda
                    I am fused T6 to S1 and wipe from the back, just like I did before the fusion. I don't need to do any special tricks. I tried to use that bottom buddy for a few times after the surgery not because I needed it, but because I was afraid that I will twist. It was such a gross hussle and I threw it away quickly.
                    I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                    45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                    A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Linda,

                      I am fused T8-sacrum and can wipe from the back without any aids. I think a lot depends on shoulder flexibility.

                      I agree with Melissa that there a lot of things and movements I can do now, at almost 3 years post revision, that I couldn't do at the 2 year mark. The tightness in my back muscles also continues to improve over time.
                      Gayle, age 50
                      Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
                      Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
                      Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1


                      mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
                      2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
                      2017 curves stable/skeletely mature

                      also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I agree that a lot depends on shoulder flexibility, but arm's length is important too. Some people have shorter arms and if you take into consideration that our torsos grow a few inches after the surgery, people with shorter arms might have problems wiping.

                        Chihuahua mama, I don't think this is something you should worry about because you are already fused to L5 and I am guessing you will not gain much height after your revision. If you can wipe yourself now, I think that you will be able to do it after you are fused to sacrum. Good luck!
                        I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
                        45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
                        A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          I've had the same question. My surgery is in 13 days (gulp). I've told myself that I will have to figure it out When the time comes, but I am concerned about it too.

                          Here is another question...for women who still have their periods, what do you do? Do you just have to use pads? I'm nervous about how I will have to handle this. What about cramps? Are they better,worse,the same? I do know that many women get a period right after surgery in the hospital...I'm not looking forward to that. I am just so annoyed to have to deal with this on top of everything else!
                          T4-Sacrum fusion, with pelvic fixation in January 2015, Dr. Lonner in NYC
                          10 osteotomies, rotation from 25 to 2
                          Diagnosed at age 11 with double curve, 36 and 45 degrees, Braced for 2.5 years
                          At time of surgery, curves were 45 and 65 degrees
                          Chronic back pain, worsening, since age 11
                          Tried every pain management procedure, acupuncture, chiropractor, physical therapy ever created
                          Mom of 2 cuties!

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by ksmom0611 View Post
                            I've had the same question. My surgery is in 13 days (gulp). I've told myself that I will have to figure it out When the time comes, but I am concerned about it too.

                            Here is another question...for women who still have their periods, what do you do? Do you just have to use pads? I'm nervous about how I will have to handle this. What about cramps? Are they better,worse,the same? I do know that many women get a period right after surgery in the hospital...I'm not looking forward to that. I am just so annoyed to have to deal with this on top of everything else!
                            Hi... There's a very high likelihood that the surgery will bring on your period. I got mine within the first day postop. You'll need to wear pads, as even if you could navigate a tampon, there's no safe way to ensure it gets changed regularly. I almost never had cramps so can't answer that question.

                            --Linda
                            Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
                            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
                            Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Best thing ever to help clean without wiping

                              I swear by this, purchase a portable hose that can be attached to the water line into the toilet bowl. It comes with a hook to the tank (all removable) easy to install.

                              Do your business, use the water spray to rinse off all stuff into the toilet. Then take TP to pad dry or slightly clean. It can be done for both ends efficiently. No need for help or long clumpsy tongs with tp wrapped around.

                              I have had this for my toilet and one at our rental apartment. Wished I had one with me during my 2 months off in St Louis to do shoulder replacement.

                              It is just so simple and no brainer. BASICALLI a BIDET without all the gadgets.

                              Hope it helps,

                              gardenia
                              Gardenia
                              Baja California, Mexico & El Centro, Ca
                              pre-surgery 75° and 89° - post ?
                              Dr. Bridwell Nov 27, 2012 @Barnes Jewish @62yrs
                              T11 to Sacrum Dural leak at L2 & L3 ccmail4g@gmail.com

                              Comment

                              Working...
                              X