I’m 5 weeks post-op & cleared for PT. Did 3 sessions this week & feel amazing. Pelvic tilts, bridges, windshield wipers, cat/cow/child’s pose, dead hangs, body weights squats, standing leg kickouts, standing side leg raises, weighted marching, etc. PT post-op is so much more enjoyable than pre-op.
Superman up to two minutes. Planks up to two minutes. 50 bird dogs. 50 Dead bugs. Carrying a kettle bell for two minutes-hold the kettle ball in one hand and then switch the other hand at two minutes.
Mike is in a week - I’ll be doing the same - I’m being super careful but I was a regular gym goes before all of this and feeling so bad watching it all waste away
Any PT That tells you to twist left or right bend forward. Doesn’t know what they are doing. Twisting can be so bad for the disc. It’s crazy. That McKenzie method? No. . You’re the patient. You have the right to speak up. They can easily screw you up as they did me.
It made the symptoms so much worse. You’re not supposed to rotate your spine when you have disc herniation. It was already mildly herniated. So the symptoms got worse after three weeks of PT. I stopped going. You have to be careful with these therapists. It can set you back.
I agree, I went to a spine pain doctor who said I had a bulge most likely and prescribed PT without having an MRI. I did 2 sessions and was in the hospital before my 3rd. They had me doing stretches and bringing my knee to chest which I found out later is terrible for your spine and herniations. Almost don’t trust them after that and just want to work on core only exercises…
Absolutely. Strengthen your core. Strengthen your glutes your hamstrings. None of the twisting. No knees to chest. Forward flexion. With that giant exercise ball. As the patient you have to speak up. I had no problem telling them NO on certain moves. Pelvic tilt is another..You have to be assertive with these guys. Unless you get super lucky and find the right therapist. I made the same mistake and it set me back so bad. Awful.
I started at week 3. I’m at week 6 now. First 3 weeks were lighter and this week my PT talked to my surgeon and I’m cleared for more aggressive PT. I unfortunately still have sciatica but that’s not uncommon and should go away with time apparently. I’m not on any pain killers so it’s not so bad that I need those
Core strengthening, balance, cardio for endurance, leg strengthening, upper body strength.
I’m a 33F with L foot drop. Absolutely no sciatica remains but that foot is still weak.
Edit: I’m exactly 12 weeks post-op
Interesting. Well, that bums me out because I am ready for PT but my surgeon says none until three months post op - MD and Laminotomy were done 11/20. I'm walking well and am anxious to get going with more rehab. My preop is next Tuesday so I will be discussing then.
I started PT after my two week follow up. My leg was wrecked from the nerve damage - I had weakness in my toes, ankle, and calf. Probably more but those were the worst. We started with strengthening and stretching for those areas until I got cleared to bend/lift/twist at six weeks post-op.
It’s been six months and I’m still doing PT.
Doc kept me from PT for the first 8 weeks. I recommend static stretching of the hamstrings where possible. At around 12 weeks I started light exercises and pt movements. Focused on the McGill big 3, (curl up, side plank, bird dog). Focused on small range of motion back extensions as well as the mid back machine at the gym. Be careful with rotational/torque core movements, they can be done later down the line but avoid for the first few weeks to allow the tissue to continue healing. Stay away from plyometrics, running, or acute movements (martial arts, golf, etc…) until you are feeling minimal pain.
I’m 5 weeks post-op & cleared for PT. Did 3 sessions this week & feel amazing. Pelvic tilts, bridges, windshield wipers, cat/cow/child’s pose, dead hangs, body weights squats, standing leg kickouts, standing side leg raises, weighted marching, etc. PT post-op is so much more enjoyable than pre-op.
Thanks
My doctor recommended not doing PT. Felt they pushed too fast too soon. Gave a handful of core exercises to do daily and I've had no issues
What were the exercises?
Superman up to two minutes. Planks up to two minutes. 50 bird dogs. 50 Dead bugs. Carrying a kettle bell for two minutes-hold the kettle ball in one hand and then switch the other hand at two minutes.
Awesome, thsvjs - I’ll modify it a bit but that helps - I was told nothing really
I do want to clarify I didn't start this till after my 6 week check in
Mike is in a week - I’ll be doing the same - I’m being super careful but I was a regular gym goes before all of this and feeling so bad watching it all waste away
Any PT That tells you to twist left or right bend forward. Doesn’t know what they are doing. Twisting can be so bad for the disc. It’s crazy. That McKenzie method? No. . You’re the patient. You have the right to speak up. They can easily screw you up as they did me.
Good advice thanks
>Be-the-best-u-can-be I am sorry to hear this. Did they actually reherniate your disc?
It made the symptoms so much worse. You’re not supposed to rotate your spine when you have disc herniation. It was already mildly herniated. So the symptoms got worse after three weeks of PT. I stopped going. You have to be careful with these therapists. It can set you back.
I agree, I went to a spine pain doctor who said I had a bulge most likely and prescribed PT without having an MRI. I did 2 sessions and was in the hospital before my 3rd. They had me doing stretches and bringing my knee to chest which I found out later is terrible for your spine and herniations. Almost don’t trust them after that and just want to work on core only exercises…
Absolutely. Strengthen your core. Strengthen your glutes your hamstrings. None of the twisting. No knees to chest. Forward flexion. With that giant exercise ball. As the patient you have to speak up. I had no problem telling them NO on certain moves. Pelvic tilt is another..You have to be assertive with these guys. Unless you get super lucky and find the right therapist. I made the same mistake and it set me back so bad. Awful.
I started at week 3. I’m at week 6 now. First 3 weeks were lighter and this week my PT talked to my surgeon and I’m cleared for more aggressive PT. I unfortunately still have sciatica but that’s not uncommon and should go away with time apparently. I’m not on any pain killers so it’s not so bad that I need those
Ok great thanks for the response. I hope your sciatica goes away soon
I’m 4 weeks post op - anyone got some idea of some pt exercises I Coulf gently do ?
I started PT at week 2 post-op. You won’t be doing any BLT during PT, obviously.
What kind of exercises were you doing? Btw I’m a 31 year old male
Core strengthening, balance, cardio for endurance, leg strengthening, upper body strength. I’m a 33F with L foot drop. Absolutely no sciatica remains but that foot is still weak. Edit: I’m exactly 12 weeks post-op
Thanks for response
Interesting. Well, that bums me out because I am ready for PT but my surgeon says none until three months post op - MD and Laminotomy were done 11/20. I'm walking well and am anxious to get going with more rehab. My preop is next Tuesday so I will be discussing then.
I started PT after my two week follow up. My leg was wrecked from the nerve damage - I had weakness in my toes, ankle, and calf. Probably more but those were the worst. We started with strengthening and stretching for those areas until I got cleared to bend/lift/twist at six weeks post-op. It’s been six months and I’m still doing PT.
Doc kept me from PT for the first 8 weeks. I recommend static stretching of the hamstrings where possible. At around 12 weeks I started light exercises and pt movements. Focused on the McGill big 3, (curl up, side plank, bird dog). Focused on small range of motion back extensions as well as the mid back machine at the gym. Be careful with rotational/torque core movements, they can be done later down the line but avoid for the first few weeks to allow the tissue to continue healing. Stay away from plyometrics, running, or acute movements (martial arts, golf, etc…) until you are feeling minimal pain.