Difficulty Walking at 11 Months

[gmw]

Thanks for the update, Karen. Do hope your PT proves to be very beneficial for you and that your SI joint issue is resolved soon.

Glenda

[lumbar3491]

Thanks, Glenda

I appreciate your support. It seems I will need to be very consistent in doing my PT exercises at home, something I have a hard time doing. Two days ago, I started back taking 75mg. of Voltaren to take the edge off the pain while I work on my mobility. Take the pain med is helping me get through the day better and has definitely lifted my sagging spirits. I'll keep you posted on progress.

Have a great day!

Karen

[Shari]

Hi Karen,

Now that you have mentioned your hip and ankle movements, you've got my full attention. I never thought to ask my Dr., I just thought it was part of my new reality. I feel like my "gait change" stems from my hips as well.

Please keep us informed.
Thank you very much,
Shari

[JenniferG]

Good luck with the PT Karen. You never know, fixing one thing may help or fix another. I'll be looking out for your updates.

[lumbar3491]

Thanks Shari and Jennifer

It was a surprise to me that the inflexibility in my hips might be at the root of my gait issue. I've been doing my stretches and hopefully in time I'll see a difference. Right now, however, my left leg feels weaker than my right, tires easily with the stretches, and has significant sciatic pain. I'll keep you up to date with my progress.

Have a great day!

Karen

[Shari]

Hi Karen,

One of my cousins had polio as a child. I remember him being in leg braces, and my Aunt stretching his legs everyday. May I ask how it affected you then, and if you think it has anything to do with your left leg weakness???

Just curious,
Shari

[lumbar3491]

Thanks Shari

Polio is definitely a consideration.

When I had polio in 1949, I was never in a brace. However, I recall my mother exercising my feet. Frankly, I cannot remember that my left leg was worse than my right. But I have always been very stiff and was a total failure at any exercises that required flexibility. So, lack of flexibility is nothing new.

I do wonder if the current weakness and pain I am having in my left leg is related to the polio as I was told several years ago that I am a candidate for post-polio syndrome. When I started PT last week, I told my therapist about the polio and she noted it down. If PT does not help strengthen my left leg and improve my walking gait, I'm going to pursue the post-polio angle.

Have a great day!

Karen

[mgs]

Please keep us all posted. Being one of the "August girls" [2009] - I feel a kinship w/you. This isn't easy, but we knew that going in. . .I hope the PT will work wonders.

[lumbar3491]

Update on Walking Gait Issue

Hi All,

Back again with a progress report. I have two more weeks of PT and saw my spine surgeon for my one-year checkup. Here's what is going on:

It seems my SI joint may be "out of whack." My surgeon gave me an A+ on the progress of my spine recovery (good bone development, for example). However, the x-rays did not show an issue with my SI joint. He is concerned, so I'm going for a CT scan of my SI joint on 9/15. Meanwhile, my PT therapist again assessed my SI area and tried out an SI stabilization belt during my therapy this past week. What a difference! Now I am wearing the Serola Sacroiliac Belt all day, and the stabilization in the SI area seems to be helping my gait as well.

I'll update this posting after I have the PT scan.

Have a great day!

Karen

[mbeckoff]

Hi All,

Back again with a progress report. I have two more weeks of PT and saw my spine surgeon for my one-year checkup. Here's what is going on:

It seems my SI joint may be "out of whack." My surgeon gave me an A+ on the progress of my spine recovery (good bone development, for example). However, the x-rays did not show an issue with my SI joint. He is concerned, so I'm going for a CT scan of my SI joint on 9/15. Meanwhile, my PT therapist again assessed my SI area and tried out an SI stabilization belt during my therapy this past week. What a difference! Now I am wearing the Serola Sacroiliac Belt all day, and the stabilization in the SI area seems to be helping my gait as well.

I'll update this posting after I have the PT scan.

Have a great day!

Karen

Good Luck with the Cat Scan
Melissa

[Shari]

Hi Karen,

I would love to know more about this belt, I guess I could look it up myself. But how do you feel in regards to how it's helping you???

Thanks,
Shari

[JenniferG]

Great news Karen!