Therapy and recovery from post surgery deficits

[John Simpson]

Therapy

Based on your personal experience do you feel there is a relationship between the amounts of physical therapy a person undertakes post surgery and the level of recovery from deficits?

Do you think there would be a difference in your eventual level of deficit recovery?

Are all the hours in the gym worth it?

I had surgery in Dec 2007 and now spend 2 to 3 hours each day in the gym following all of the exercises my therapist has recommended. Is it worth it in the long term?

I was a skier, golfer, squash player etc pre tumour but had been reduced to shuffling after a block walking in pain pre surgery. Like many of the stories I have read here I have more deficits post surgery (i.e. the buzzing, numbness below the chest, inability to balance, pain)

What is your view? Are hours and hours in the gym worth it?

[paul55]

Hi John, welcome to the forum. To answer your question, yes. Physical therapy is a must in my opinion. I suffered much the same as you with the deficits you have, and the therapy especially helped with strength, balance, coordination and endurance. Although I didn't spend the amount of hours daily as you are(I don't know your age), but you do what your body can handle. It sounds like you can handle 3 hrs a day. I could only do 1 hour a day. You should start to see some improvement. Three hours in the gym I have to say is a long time. Especially as early post op as you are. Maybe reduce to two hours, and increase your walking. You will need to find a happy medium of what you can tolerate. You may not have the strength to ski, the balance to golf, or the coordination to play handball, that will take some time. Be patient.

Over time, what you are feeling will get better, I lost the numbness from my breast area to my waist after a few months. Now it is just the waist down I have the issue. My surgery was 8 months ago. It can take 2 years or more for you to heal. Everybody is different and there are no set times when people actually do heal. That's up to your body and how you take care of it.

Don't give up the therapy and get discouraged. Time is the biggest element here. Therapy will help you.

Keep in touch
Paul

[John Simpson]

Paul

Thank you for the reply.

It is a very interesting subject to me. I wonder if the level of recovery we all experience is in any way associated to the hours we put in at therapy or is it just time that is the main factor.

The only way to know for sure would be to do a test and control group but that will not be likely since there are so few of us out there.

My real curiosity is would there be a long term difference if I did half as much or twice as much as now. I read all the stories on this great web site looking for clues.

I have noticed that “pushing it” in the gym is not a great concept. I have never experienced spastic reactions before all of this (the big cramp))))) but now I now that is my spinal cord saying “ease up”

Thanks again, I appreciate the reply.

[Tmasgio]

Hi John,
When I had my tumor resection in April of '07 I really did not want to do anything as everything was so new. I then came to my senses and did alot of PT as well bicycling long distances. However, no matter how much I exercise my right knee is still hyper-reflexive and my back still spasms. I do not think this will get bet better but I do believe I have compensated. Meaning I am adapting to what I dont have compare to what I used to have.

I would suggest to be careful. No pain no gain is out in this recovery. Do what you can but dont push it to much as you will find that you may get disappointed as your body will not respond as you were once used too. I learned this the hard way thinking that I can do all the same things. I cannot but I am okay with that now. LIfe becomes a little slower but enjoyable never the less. I am assuming you have sensory damage like the most of us so the overdoing of muscles will result in spasticity and tone. I found strecthing to be the most beneficial and deep tissue massage. Keep up the good fight!

Tony

[john8888]

Tony

Thank you for the reply. That is good advice.

Are you on an outdoor bicycle? Or are you on a gym bicycle?

Did you have trouble with bicycle balance, toe clips and other things or were you steady from the beginning?

I have tried the gym bicycle and have trouble with feeling the seat (numb bum) and keeping my feet in the pedals (the left foot just falls out sometimes) as I am still numb. Too bad since I was also a former bike addict with at least a 40 minute ride each day. Walking is still a real dead leg pain after only 10 minutes

I can use the elliptical trainer at the gym (I guess that is because I can use my hands on the machine for balance))). I do 40 minutes a day on it.

I think working out on my outdoor road bicycle again would be a real joy. I will need to wait for the snow to disappear. Perhaps by then I will be strong enough to give it a go.


John

[Tmasgio]

John,
I remember that when I was in the hospital I had balance issues. I started to ride at about 4 months post op. I am an outdoor bicyclist. I first started on the eliptical machine and the stationary bike. Then I got brave and got the bike out. I too had trouble with my right foot feeling the pedal but I used the clip to keep it on the bike. As far as the numb butt I got used to the feeling and then I could balance better. You know doing things again is just a learning process. You have to retrain your brain because the input it is getting is different but with repetive movement you can raise your level of consciousness to ignore the feelings and it will become second nature. After awhile you wont think twice about it and just go do things without hesitation.

The biggest thing for me was letting go of the past. I used to play softball 3 nights a week and was into just about anything that I could be if it involved a good workout. I know I cannot do everything but I can do about 75% of those things. Just yesterday I was finishing putting my new doors in at my house. I am numb but I have trained myself how to feel with what I have and use it to my advantage. Talk to your PT and get suggestions. Work on balance exercises the most and alot of repetitive exercises. Also remember to strengthen your core. This is what will give your balance back the quickest. A strong core is essential in whatever you do.. So situps or even the leg lifts will help.

Good Luck John!

[john8888]

Tony

Wow!

You were on an outdoor bike at 4 months – now that is a great big new goal for me.

Thank you.

One more question. Did you ever figure out how to run or jog?

Regards
John

[Matthew Sweeney]

Hi John:

There are many benefits to your time in the gym. I am 46 and two and half years post surgery. I was very active before surgery and I am a big believer in exercise. I average two hours in the gym five times a week in addition to other activities (Pilate's, walking, coaching, stretching). The benefits are two fold, physical and emotional. I continue to get minor improvements even now well beyond two years out. I was a huge outdoor enthusiast before surgery (hiking, biking, downhill skiing, cross country, kayaking). I have been working hard but I do have many limitations that I know are with me for the long haul.

Like you, I can do the cardio machines. It's not pleasant but I can get a good cardio workout. Like you my gait is limited and so my time in the gym is even more important because my life has become far more sedentary. So doing weight bearing activity and getting movement occurs largely for me in the gym. I really believe that in order to maximize recovery for those of us "partial spinal chord injuries/trauma" you need to hammer the neural pathways and continually challenge them to the extent possible. So I do believe your work is worthwhile.

I will say that there is the risk of overdoing it. I check in with my PT on a regular basis and have him review my regimen, even bringing him along to my Pilate's training and to the gym to observe first hand. It is important when doing repetitive exercises that you maintain proper bio mechanics so as not to create bad alignment or uneven wear patterns for joints. It is easy when compensating for lack of function to get out of balance. I am a stickler for form because I am 46 and want to remain active well into the golden years.

One thing that does not change post surgery is that working out has to be enjoyable or you will not sustain it over long periods. This becomes a bit more challenging because of limitations in what you can do. If your regimen is so severe that you dread it, it will be hard to maintain long term.

I am so grateful that I can still enjoy physical exertion. I always feel better after working out and is a huge part of how I have dealt with the emotional fallout of my disability. I hope you are able to find what works for you and stick with it. Best of luck and feel free to contact me if you have any specific questions.

Matt

[Tmasgio]

John,
Yes, I can run and jog. I was never a big fan of the running or jogging as it always put way to much pressure on my knees and feet. I was lucky in alot of ways post surgery. I had a normal gait at 2 months. My legs are not fatigued or heavy feeling. I have some pain but not in my legs rather it is in my back muscles. This is why I strenghten my core as it assist with not putting extra strain on the back. I am stiff though or at least it feels that way but I try to ignore it as much as possible and just go about my exercise regiment.

The good thing about all of this is that I convinced my wife I need a new bike. So It is ordered and my new one arrives in 3 weeks. Also, my friends who are in the military are moving back in March so I will have some more riding buddies.

John, I hope you get back on that bike as well but there is other alternatives. Try getting a Trike. If you are an avid bicyclist then you know it is about the freedom a bike gives you and not exactly what you ride. Even though it helps.

Oh, one other Note. It was Matt and Joel that gave me the inspiration to work hard at Therapy. This is a great group of determined people that you will find so helpful and supportive.

[john8888]

Matt and Tony

Thank you

As a sports nut I needed some goals and role models. Now I have them

Your advice is brilliant.

In 2 months when the snow is gone, I will treat my self to a new bike. (I own 2 bikes already but I will need a new one since I am now in training))))

I also now am getting a better picture of the answer to my initial question. “is there a relationship between the eventual level of deficit recovery and amount of therapy?

I like Matt’s view that “in order to maximize recovery for those of us "partial spinal chord injuries/trauma" you need to hammer the neural pathways and continually challenge them to the extent possible”

Tony’s approach of “strengthen my core” will be my mantra as I wait for spring. I must admit I have been ducking the core exercises as they are not my favourites but that will now change. If I can get to the level of even a slow jog again I am willing to work on core a lot to get there.

I had no concept that anyone on this forum had achieved “running” again.

Thank you both. I have role models now. I am off to the gym.

Regards
John