Re: Can you squat after surgery?

[Guest guest]

>

> Can you squat? I know that bending over using the back is out of the

> question but I would think you could still squat.

>

> Jolynn

>

I'm 6 months post op and recently have been able to squat but need to

hold onto something to get back up. I don't stay down for long, and

do feel it in these old knees! I know I'm still getting stronger, so

I'm hopeful this will continue to get better with time.

Hey, are you from Leominster, MA? I grew up in Gardner, and have lots

of family there still. I live in Atlanta now, but will always be a Red

Sox fan!

Dianne

[Guest guest]

Yes I can squat! It is basically the only way I can get down to the floor

right now. My legs hurt badly right now - but I bet they will get stronger.

Lorrie Snyder

Ellicott City, MD

Revision Surgery 11/8/05 - Dr. Boachie

Almost 5 months post revision.

[ ] Can you squat after surgery?

Can you squat? I know that bending over using the back is out of the

question but I would think you could still squat.

Jolynn

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

[Guest guest]

Me too! I can squat to pick up light

objects. I can also bend (somewhat) at the hips. I usually get down on all

fours, though, to pick up anything ‘heavy’ – like my cat.

Andy Stanton

Concord MA

Surgery 1/03 – Dr. Boachie

[ ] Can you squat after

surgery?

Can you squat? I know that bending over using the

back is out of the

question but I would think you could still squat.

Jolynn

scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision

candidates

[Guest guest]

I can squat, but I don't because it overloads the knees, and once

there it is not really a good idea to lean forward with an unsupported

torso. At this point I do not have that much stretch in me.

Perhaps the ability will return as I continue with the healing...I

just can't say for sure. This summer I do plan to garden, but I will

do it by getting on all fours and leaving one hand on the ground to

support my torso while working one handed. Anything else will have to

be my hubby's job.

In repsonse to your dialog with Sharon, what I notice/miss the most is

the ability to " tuck " the pelvis...mostly as a back stretching move,

but also in those small moves you make to settle into a seat or

wherever. It is a small move, one that may really escape the notice of

the surgeons...but even only being able to do that prior at L5...I

notice. Still and all for me it was a more than fair trde-off for

mobility and pain free time.

Have a nice day, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam,

Have you ever tried Pilates (modified for

people with spine problems)? It has helped me regain the ability to tuck the

pelvis – through strengthening the abdominal muscles above it.

Regards,

Andy

[ ] Re:

Can you squat after surgery?

I can squat, but I don't because it overloads the

knees, and once

there it is not really a good idea to lean forward

with an unsupported

torso. At this point I do not have that much

stretch in me.

Perhaps the ability will return as I continue with

the healing...I

just can't say for sure. This summer I do plan to

garden, but I will

do it by getting on all fours and leaving one hand

on the ground to

support my torso while working one handed. Anything

else will have to

be my hubby's job.

In repsonse to your dialog with Sharon, what I

notice/miss the most is

the ability to " tuck " the

pelvis...mostly as a back stretching move,

but also in those small moves you make to settle

into a seat or

wherever. It is a small move, one that may really

escape the notice of

the surgeons...but even only being able to do that

prior at L5...I

notice. Still and all for me it was a more than

fair trde-off for

mobility and pain free time.

Have a nice day, Cam

[Guest guest]

Yep I live in Leominster. We moved here forn Atlanta and I have tons

of family there.

> >

> > Can you squat? I know that bending over using the back is out of

the

> > question but I would think you could still squat.

> >

> > Jolynn

> >

> I'm 6 months post op and recently have been able to squat but need

to

> hold onto something to get back up. I don't stay down for long,

and

> do feel it in these old knees! I know I'm still getting stronger,

so

> I'm hopeful this will continue to get better with time.

> Hey, are you from Leominster, MA? I grew up in Gardner, and have

lots

> of family there still. I live in Atlanta now, but will always be

a Red

> Sox fan!

> Dianne

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Andy,

I have not done Pilates, although I am interested to learn more about

it...now that I am a bit further along in my healing. Mostly I work

the core in PT and swimming isometrically. I must say I can't imagine

how I can ever " tuck " my pelvis (unless the fusion at L5)fails since

it is now permanantly affixed to my spine. Perhaps you mean in a

different way?

Cam

[Guest guest]

Jolynn,

I had my revision surgeries December 13 & 20, and January 26. I can

squat and do quite frequently, but if I have much in my hands, getting

up can be tough. Last week I was leaving work and dropped something I

couldn't leave on the sidewalk. I stopped and stared at it for a

minute and no one was really around, so I squatted down to pick it up.

Once I got down there, I became aware of the satchel on my shoulder

and the very small amount of weight in it made me have a heck of a

time standing back up. I made it, but really regretted getting down

there. Granted, I am still in the very early stages of recovery. As

soon as I find a very light weight telescoping grabber to carry in my

satchel, I will buy it! For the record, Dr. Bridwell did clear me for

squatting at my six-week checkup, but said if I feel anything in my

low back, to avoid that activity.

kam

[Guest guest]

Andy, that's very interesting.

My abs are about the only muscles I have that don't hurt, and thanks to swimming and working out they are very strong. (I can't do sit-ups or crunches, but the Nautilus ab machine works well for me.) This is probably why I've been able to hold off flatback surgery for over 5 years since my diagnosis. One of my many apprehensions about revision surgery is that it may mess up those strong abs. But it sounds like you've done ok.

I have one of those Pilates machines, and tried to follow the video that came with it, but I found that an awful lot of the exercises seemed to require knee bending, and my knees just couldn't take it. I know that's not the same as taking a class, but what would be left if it were modified for spine AND knee problems?

Sharon

RE: [ ] Re: Can you squat after surgery?

Hi Cam,

Have you ever tried Pilates (modified for people with spine problems)? It has helped me regain the ability to tuck the pelvis – through strengthening the abdominal muscles above it.

Regards,Andy

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltbySent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:32 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Can you squat after surgery?

I can squat, but I don't because it overloads the knees, and once there it is not really a good idea to lean forward with an unsupported torso. At this point I do not have that much stretch in me.Perhaps the ability will return as I continue with the healing...I just can't say for sure. This summer I do plan to garden, but I will do it by getting on all fours and leaving one hand on the ground to support my torso while working one handed. Anything else will have to be my hubby's job.In repsonse to your dialog with Sharon, what I notice/miss the most is the ability to "tuck" the pelvis...mostly as a back stretching move, but also in those small moves you make to settle into a seat or wherever. It is a small move, one that may really escape the notice of the surgeons...but even only being able to do that prior at L5...I notice. Still and all for me it was a more than fair trde-off for mobility and pain free time.Have a nice day, Cam

[Guest guest]

---I can squat throwing something in a small trach can in the

bathroom. I don't like to do it because I am concerned about my knees

but sometimes it is necessary. I tried to take a tub bath over the

weekend..oh, you all would have gotten a good laugh out of it!! I was

smart enough to try it while everyone was home. I just wanted so, so

much to soak in the tub. I got in with the help of my husband....I

could not get comfortable,knees straight out and laying back was not

comfortable at all....I could not get out of the tub...my husband had

to take his socks, shoes and pants off and get in from behind me to

get me out!! My kids laughed their behinds off!! They said what if we

had to call 911 to get our naked Mom out of the tub!!!!I don't think

i'll try that anytime soon again!!!You just gotta laugh!! Showers

will continue to be the source of cleaning my body for sometime!!

<PA

In , " cammaltby " <cammaltby@...>

wrote:

>

> I can squat, but I don't because it overloads the knees, and once

> there it is not really a good idea to lean forward with an

unsupported

> torso. At this point I do not have that much stretch in me.

>

> Perhaps the ability will return as I continue with the healing...I

> just can't say for sure. This summer I do plan to garden, but I

will

> do it by getting on all fours and leaving one hand on the ground to

> support my torso while working one handed. Anything else will have

to

> be my hubby's job.

>

> In repsonse to your dialog with Sharon, what I notice/miss the most

is

> the ability to " tuck " the pelvis...mostly as a back stretching

move,

> but also in those small moves you make to settle into a seat or

> wherever. It is a small move, one that may really escape the notice

of

> the surgeons...but even only being able to do that prior at L5...I

> notice. Still and all for me it was a more than fair trde-off for

> mobility and pain free time.

>

> Have a nice day, Cam

>

[Guest guest]

Pa, HAHAHAHA !! You had me in stitches laughing at that one..Well I won't try that either..I can see it now and the kids laughing and about calling 911..HAHA!! Well a week from today is the big day for me,I'm starting to get nervous now but then again I want it done and over with..The ladies arre having a big party at a restaurant for me tom. afternoon,that is so nice of them. Friday will be my last day and I don't return until sept. so I should be pretty much healed by then..I hope....Have a good day just had to tell you I got a chuckle out of the ..Vonnieheatherbenjaminnicholas <heatherbenjaminnicholas@...> wrote: ---I can squat throwing something in a small trach can in the bathroom. I don't like to do it because I am concerned about my knees but sometimes it is necessary. I tried

to take a tub bath over the weekend..oh, you all would have gotten a good laugh out of it!! I was smart enough to try it while everyone was home. I just wanted so, so much to soak in the tub. I got in with the help of my husband....I could not get comfortable,knees straight out and laying back was not comfortable at all....I could not get out of the tub...my husband had to take his socks, shoes and pants off and get in from behind me to get me out!! My kids laughed their behinds off!! They said what if we had to call 911 to get our naked Mom out of the tub!!!!I don't think i'll try that anytime soon again!!!You just gotta laugh!! Showers will continue to be the source of cleaning my body for sometime!! <PAIn , "cammaltby" <cammaltby@...> wrote:>> I can squat, but I don't because it overloads the knees, and once > there it is not really a good idea to lean

forward with an unsupported > torso. At this point I do not have that much stretch in me.> > Perhaps the ability will return as I continue with the healing...I > just can't say for sure. This summer I do plan to garden, but I will > do it by getting on all fours and leaving one hand on the ground to > support my torso while working one handed. Anything else will have to > be my hubby's job.> > In repsonse to your dialog with Sharon, what I notice/miss the most is > the ability to "tuck" the pelvis...mostly as a back stretching move, > but also in those small moves you make to settle into a seat or > wherever. It is a small move, one that may really escape the notice of > the surgeons...but even only being able to do that prior at L5...I > notice. Still and all for me it was a more than fair trde-off for > mobility and pain free time.> > Have

a nice day, Cam>

New Messenger with Voice. Call regular phones from your PC and save big.

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Sorry for the delay in replying to your email. My mother-in-law was just diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer and my husband and I have been in Pennsylvania (I live in MA) for the last few days...

That's fantastic that you've developed and maintained your abdominal muscles. That's the best thing you can do to support your spine, as you know. Congratulations - I know it's no small feat to do all that exrecising!

As for me, I had my first surgery in the 70s and it was typical for the time. I had my revision in 1/03 by Dr. Boachie. My fusion is very extensive - from the tip of my tailbone to between my shoulder blades. I can bend from my hips, but couldn't do much more than that until I started Pilates (modified for spinal problems). My abs are now strong and I know how to move so as not to hurt my back (ie I use my abs whenever possible). I can now twist a bit, arch a bit, and bed a bit, which has been very surprising!

I wouldn't recommend taking a Pilates mat class. They're usually taught by instructors inexperienced with working with people with spinal problems. If you can afford it, it's better to work privately or in a 'duo'.

Also, by far, Pilates (and other kinds of physical fitness) instructors don't have first-hand experience with spinal problems, so it's important either to find someone who does, or to use the modified exercises in my book that will be released in October, "Pilates for Fragile Backs: Recovering Strength After Surgery, Injury or Other Back Problems." If you want to send me your email address, I would be happy to send you some exercises from the book to try out. Any feedback you have would actually be very helpful to me!

Thanks for writing!

Andy (Concord MA)

PS Modifies Pilates puts NO pressure on the knees.

My abs are about the only muscles I have that don't hurt, and thanks to swimming and working out they are very strong. (I can't do sit-ups or crunches, but the Nautilus ab machine works well for me.) This is probably why I've been able to hold off flatback surgery for over 5 years since my diagnosis. One of my many apprehensions about revision surgery is that it may mess up those strong abs. But it sounds like you've done ok.

I have one of those Pilates machines, and tried to follow the video that came with it, but I found that an awful lot of the exercises seemed to require knee bending, and my knees just couldn't take it. I know that's not the same as taking a class, but what would be left if it were modified for spine AND knee problems?

Sharon

RE: [ ] Re: Can you squat after surgery?

Hi Cam,

Have you ever tried Pilates (modified for people with spine problems)? It has helped me regain the ability to tuck the pelvis – through strengthening the abdominal muscles above it.

Regards,Andy

-----Original Message-----From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of cammaltbySent: Sunday, March 26, 2006 10:32 AM Subject: [ ] Re: Can you squat after surgery?

I can squat, but I don't because it overloads the knees, and once there it is not really a good idea to lean forward with an unsupported torso. At this point I do not have that much stretch in me.Perhaps the ability will return as I continue with the healing...I just can't say for sure. This summer I do plan to garden, but I will do it by getting on all fours and leaving one hand on the ground to support my torso while working one handed. Anything else will have to be my hubby's job.In repsonse to your dialog with Sharon, what I notice/miss the most is the ability to "tuck" the pelvis...mostly as a back stretching move, but also in those small moves you make to settle into a seat or wherever. It is a small move, one that may really escape the notice of the surgeons...but even only being able to do that prior at L5...I notice. Still and all for me it was a more than fair trde-off for mobility and pain free time.Have a nice day, Cam

[Guest guest]

Hi Cam,

Oh, maybe I misunderstood! I think of “tucking”

the pelvis as lifting it up slightly (when you’re lying down). Is that

what you mean too – or something different?

My fusion starts at the bottom tip of my

tailbone and extends up to between my shoulder blades.

Andy

[ ] Re:

Can you squat after surgery?

Hi

Andy,

I have not done Pilates, although I am interested

to learn more about

it...now that I am a bit further along in my

healing. Mostly I work

the core in PT and swimming isometrically. I

must say I can't imagine

how I can ever " tuck " my pelvis (unless

the fusion at L5)fails since

it is now permanantly affixed to my spine. Perhaps

you mean in a

different way?

Cam

[Guest guest]

Andy,

I thought we must be on a different page! I think of " tucking " the

pelvis as: when standing up, a tilting of the pelvis upwards,

essentially (in our cases especially) further flattening out the

lumbar spine. That is the way I have always heard it used from

aerobic instructors. And of course now that move is impossible for

me... now fused S1-T4..Cam

>

> Hi Cam,

>

> Oh, maybe I misunderstood! I think of " tucking " the pelvis as

lifting it up

> slightly (when you're lying down). Is that what you mean too - or

something

> different?

>

>

>

> My fusion starts at the bottom tip of my tailbone and extends up

to between

> my shoulder blades.

>

>

>

> Andy

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> [ ] Re: Can you squat after surgery?

>

>

>

> Hi Andy,

>

> I have not done Pilates, although I am interested to learn more

about

> it...now that I am a bit further along in my healing. Mostly I

work

> the core in PT and swimming isometrically. I must say I can't

imagine

> how I can ever " tuck " my pelvis (unless the fusion at L5)fails

since

> it is now permanantly affixed to my spine. Perhaps you mean in a

> different way?

>

> Cam

>

>

>

>

>

>

> scoliosis veterans * flatback sufferers * revision candidates

>

>

>

>

>