Re: Swimming the Crawl after Fusion to the Sacrum

[Guest guest]

i haven't been able to swim on my front since having the orginal surgery- i think its because i can't arch my back at all-

From: <linda.racine@...>Subject: [ ] Swimming the Crawl after Fusion to the Sacrum Received: Sunday, January 2, 2011, 7:03 PM

Hi....I just got an email from a friend who was fused to the sacrum a few years ago. She's complaining that she can no longer swim the crawl because she can't get her legs high enough in the water. Cam, I think you swim on a regular basis. Do you do the crawl? Did you ever have any issues about getting your legs high enough to kick? Would love to hear from others as well.Thanks for the insight.Regards,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I was more of a runner before revision, but swam on/off throughout my life.

After revision, I've been swimming laps 2-3 times/week.

My revision was end January 2010 and I'm now fused to the sacrum.

I have been swimming since I was given the ok (about 6wks post op) and I can do

everything I was able to do before. The only think I haven't tried yet is the

freestyle flip turn (which I know will be somewhat different than before), but

I plan on trying my new flip once I know I'm 100% fused.

S.

>

> Hi....

>

> I just got an email from a friend who was fused to the sacrum a few years ago.

She's complaining that she can no longer swim the crawl because she can't get

her legs high enough in the water. Cam, I think you swim on a regular basis.

Do you do the crawl? Did you ever have any issues about getting your legs high

enough to kick? Would love to hear from others as well.

>

> Thanks for the insight.

>

> Regards,

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Yes, I definitely swim the crawl, complete with rotary breathing.

I believe my body position is a tad less than ideal in the water, but not too

significantly. Here are my thoughts:

How high is your friend fused? I am to T4...so that permits me to flex a little,

up or down, to balance. If someone was fused higher I suppose it is possible

that could push the lower torso down too much, but I suspect that its more

likely that they might just need to understand more intuitively how their new

" hydrodynamic imperative " as changed, and learn to swim with their head a little

lower in the water. The other thing is if they are just starting back in the

water, or are fused very high, it is possible that they may have some work to do

in the range of motion up high (shoulders & arms) to permit them to achieve

decent streamline/alignment/water position.

Many people not fused at all, my husband included, have the same troubles...and

it really is usually correctable...it is just a bit more difficult with our

stiff bodies...but then it give us something to work on!

My suggestions if your pal wants to keep working on it are to start building

slowly. Consider the necessity of adequate propulsion from kicking (which is

very tiring and often the worst part of peoples crawl stroke). For me, I found

it very effective to swim the first year after revision with an aquajogger

around my waist. Now I know I looked a little silly, but it worked for me to

overcome the same feeling of sinking you friend describes. As my kick got

better/stronger/more effective I was finally able to do without the extra

flotation.

I also recommend taking a look at any number of swim websites that demonstrate

correct body position, but I particularly like the Total Immersion (.com)

program for the way it teaches adult swimmers how to improve their swimming.

Alternatively I would say to find a instructor who will do a few one-on-one swim

lessons to correct any stroke errors that are correctable.

Where there is a will there is a way! If you friend wants to contact my directly

feel free to give her my email address.

Take Care, Cam

[Guest guest]

The physical therapist that works with Dr. Bridwell has been very specific about swimming. She says "if you swim avoid hyperextending your hips with kicking (kicking back) i.e. kick deeper in the water or kick from your knees." I have tried both and can see where they put less stress on your back. Hope this helps.

D

-Original Message----- From: Izarah Star Sent: Jan 2, 2011 7:06 PM Subject: Re: [ ] Swimming the Crawl after Fusion to the Sacrum

i haven't been able to swim on my front since having the orginal surgery- i think its because i can't arch my back at all-

From: <linda.racine@...>Subject: [ ] Swimming the Crawl after Fusion to the Sacrum Received: Sunday, January 2, 2011, 7:03 PM

Hi....I just got an email from a friend who was fused to the sacrum a few years ago. She's complaining that she can no longer swim the crawl because she can't get her legs high enough in the water. Cam, I think you swim on a regular basis. Do you do the crawl? Did you ever have any issues about getting your legs high enough to kick? Would love to hear from others as well.Thanks for the insight.Regards,

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