Good Days and Bad Days

[golfnut]

Yes, sneezing is just awful!

[judyat60]

pt or not to pt…seems to be individual with the doctor from what I've read here. Some don't want any, ever, some want it quickly. I understand the benefits to both, the goal for both being to heal and build strength.

I am scheduled for surgery mid Oct with Dr. Boachie. His protocal is to begin pt 4-6 weeks out. My larger concern will be finding the right therapist, having gone to many who didn't know what they were doing on and off for years (the most recent in February who said she could correct the scoliosis.)
I will be reaching out to the north/mid Jersey folks for good recommendations for pt in November.

[djkinkead]

My surgeon obviously trusted the PTs at the hospital in which the surgery was performed, but outside of that, they don't seem to point to anyone else.

Yes, I know what you mean about PTs who really don't know what they are doing. I had hurt some muscles in my back before the surgery and went to a facility with about four different PTs...they all wanted to do something different and to be honest, I don't think any of them really helped that much.

If you chose PT's, it'd have to be a clinic/organization linked to fusion spinal surgery medical facility....

For now, the PA gave me some exercises (breathing) and telling me I need to start doing ALOT of walking.

[golfnut]

Dr. Lenke did not want me to see any physical therapists other than the one that works in his office. I got recommendations from her at 3 months & 6 months post-op for some minor arm exercises to do while laying on the bed. Now, at almost 9 months, I still am not taking any PT but feel like i'm doing fine by walking over an hour a day and taking water aerobics (besides the recommended exercises)-I started to type "bed exercises" but thought that might be misinterpretted! To quote Dr. Lenke: "Most physical therapists aren't familiar with the magnitude of this surgery and can do more harm than good." If you can get a PT who is familiar with the restrictions, it's probably beneficial. I plan to eventually get PT as my insurance completely covers the cost, even if it's close to a year post-op.

[JenniferG]

I am another whose surgeon didn't recommend pt. But he was BIG on walking. When I said at 6 weeks, that I was walking every day, he said, "Now walk twice a day."

I suspect a lack of properly trained pts in our area might have been behind his recommendation. I think if they're fully versed in what this surgery entails and have the specialist training, pt might be a good thing.