4 week update

[JenM]

Naptown-

I was just wondering what the "golfer's bend" is because I have yet to do the dishwasher or washing machine or dryer. I hired help since I have a 3 and 5 year old and the help is doing my dishes and laundry. She leaves the end of August and I am trying to think about how I am going to bend so low to put clothes into the washer, then take them out and put them in the dryer. We can't bend like we used to I'm assuming??? I forgot to ask my doctor that. I am fused T3-L3. I was thinking we just have to lunge or squat. I am confused though. Just wondering how you all bend.

THanks.

[TexEx]

I still pretty much logroll out of bed too. Just the way I move now I guess.

Another issue I am having, wondering if others are too, is that I keep "pulling mucsles" in my side. I had pneumonia and originally thought is was from all the coughing. That has subsided but just yesterday, I started having pain in my left side again.

My sister (she is a Physical Therapist) thinks that it has to do with the fact that I am doing more movement and the muscles are not used to it and just get stretched differntly and irritated.

Anyone else having pulled muscles or muscle spasms in the ribcage area?

Otherwise things are great. Back on my walking pace, had to lengthen my walk to get in my 45 minutes the other day.

Melissa
T9-L5 Fusion
Surgery March 31
Pre op 60 Lumbar Curve
Post op 20 Lumbar Curve

[gmw]

Melissa - I experienced the feeling of pulled muscles in my rib cage. My dr had me alternating heat/cold and I took Flexiril. It actually went away pretty quickly. Sorry you had to go through having peunomia while recuperating. That must have been tough.

Glenda

[TexEx]

Glenda:

Thanks, it sounds like we had similar fusion. I will take my Robaxin and try the heat/cold. The pnuemonia was kind of a bumber, but did take my mind of my back.

Melissa

[jsully]

Jen M,
I am not sure what a golfers bend is. I am fused T2-L5 and somehow just bend @ the hips a little.

[LisaB]

When I had spondylolisthesis surgery 1 1/2 yrs ago and couldn't bend for 3 months, I had a little stool(one of those Rubbermaid little step stools) in front of the washer and dryer (front loaders) and sat on the stool to load and unload. It worked really well. Being short, I have stools all over the house anyway.

[jsully]

Good idea Lisa!

[JenniferG]

I think what is meant by the "golfers' bend" is bending at the hip on one leg, with the other straight out the back. Apparently it's easier on your body than squatting.

Jen, by the end of August, you're going to be much more mobile than you are now and it may not seem like such an impossibility. If, by mid August, you are still unable to load and unload the washer and dryer, perhaps your husband or one of the kids can do it for a little while, until you are able. I know some on here used grabbers, so that's an idea as well.

[Susie*Bee]

Jen M,
I am not sure what a golfers bend is. I am fused T2-L5 and somehow just bend @ the hips a little.

Jennifer described it, but I'll try too. When a golfer is retrieving the ball from the hole, he reaches to get it by keeping one leg in a (sort of) straight plane with his back, while his other leg is standing on the ground. It is much better for one's back. It is also something they teach you in physical therapy if they are going over "dos and don'ts" for backs. If you need to get something off a shelf near the floor-- or pick something off the floor, and you're not going to squat, then you should do that. Of course, you may look a little different sometimes.

[naptown78]

Naptown-

I was just wondering what the "golfer's bend" is because I have yet to do the dishwasher or washing machine or dryer. I hired help since I have a 3 and 5 year old and the help is doing my dishes and laundry. She leaves the end of August and I am trying to think about how I am going to bend so low to put clothes into the washer, then take them out and put them in the dryer. We can't bend like we used to I'm assuming??? I forgot to ask my doctor that. I am fused T3-L3. I was thinking we just have to lunge or squat. I am confused though. Just wondering how you all bend.

THanks.

I learned this from my physical therapist a couple of years ago. It is a way of bending over while holding one leg straight behind you like a golfer does. It keeps your back "balanced" in a straight line. I have also seen Susie Bee describe it in her posts so maybe it is a Hoosier thing!

[Confusedmom]

Hoosier thing -- yes. I know/do it too!

Evelyn

[Susie*Bee]

Aw, c'mon.... other people must do it too! I'm sure it's in the physical therapy books! And I'm sure it's something golfers all know saves their backs from undue stress. If you keep both legs planted on the ground and bend over, you are putting a lot of strain on the vertebrae that are bending. It lessens (or negates?) that strain if you keep your back straight by raising one leg in a straight plane with your back.

[TexEx]

I have heard of the golfers bend too, but then again, my father is a golfer. Therapist also have a move that is similar that they refer to as the stork or flamingo (I can't remember which, but picture the bird) bend, where you keep one leg straight and and bend at the hip, raising the other leg straight out.

Melissa

[Debra JGL]

Janet, I'm so glad to hear you're doing so well. It must be such a relief. You seem like you have a good plan with your medications. Have you had much help from your doctor on the best way to manage your meds. or have you been able to do this on your own (I'm thinking being a nurse is a plus)?? My doctors office just told me I would need to order any refills though my primary doc.. after the first month. I'm a little concerned I'm going to need to figure out the pain med. management on my own. I'm not one to take much medicine and will go without whenever possible (not always a good thing). It seems, though, that it really helps in recovery to take the meds. to find a good balance of pain relief to let the body heal, but feel enough pain to not do too much.

[jsully]

Debra,
I just have done this on my own. I let my body decide what it needs. I always take a pill in AM and PM. Then afternoon, if needed, like today!
Janet