| Author | Message | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 962 Registered: 10-2006 |
So, a week ago yesterday I had a synovial cyst taken out of my spinal canal, which involved removing parts of the L-3 vertebra. I am now 1 week into a 2-week prohibition on lifting more than 1 lb; then it's 2 weeks of <2 lb. Then 5. Could someone please weigh an acoustic guitar so I have some idea when I can pick it up? (I would do it, but I don't know how much it weighs.....) Thanks! Peter | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 307 Registered: 7-2009 |
Hi Peter, Have any pic's you are willing to share? I am in my Masters program for Physical Therapy and will soon be in training as a Rolfer. Just my curiosity. If you are not interested in sharing, that's cool too. thanks, Nick Ps. My gibson L-4 came in at 2.8lbs | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 1366 Registered: 11-2004 |
Peter, Hope you're feeling better soon!! I don't have an acoustic that I can weigh for you, but how about having a seat and having somebody hand you the guitar, so that you don't have to pick it up? | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 984 Registered: 3-2004 |
That sounds awful! I hope you feel better very soon. | ||
| artswork99
Moderator Username: artswork99 Post Number: 1501 Registered: 7-2007 |
Well wishes for a speedy recovery. | ||
| sonicus
Senior Member Username: sonicus Post Number: 1859 Registered: 5-2009 |
Peter, I hope that you recover soon. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 963 Registered: 10-2006 |
Thanks, Nick - a few more weeks, it seems. About the best I could offer is to ask the Lovey & Charming Mrs. Cowboy to take a shot of the incision at this state. I'll see the Dr. Tues - want me to ask him for images from the operation? Toby, the L&C is more than willing to put it in my lap, but by the time she gets home, dinner et, etc, all I can think about is getting the corset off the incision & lying down! And no, no black lace; the corset actually more closely resembles a straight-jacket than any corset I've come across (just as well - that wouldn't be an image anybody needs!) I hurt like hell, but in different places than a week ago, and am improving hourly - whilest pre-op I was declining hourly. All will be good, but my callouses are getting lonely. Peter | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 308 Registered: 7-2009 |
Thanks, Peter. I would like to see any images. before/after, x-ray, standard. Spinal/neurologial issues are what I am most interested in due to my own spine issues. I wish you the best of recoveries, lots of patience, good pain meds, and best wishes to the L&C. Cowboys life is a hard one. I never should have got on my first bronc, but I'm glad I did. Rest up, buddy! Nick | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 965 Registered: 10-2006 |
I'll talk to him Tues & see what I can get. Will the Master's do you? I'm told Illinois is changing their licensure practice so PTs will need a PhD to practice; is Oregon going the same way, and if so, will you be done in time to be grandfathered with the MS? Peter | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 686 Registered: 9-2008 |
Better learn how to play Harmonica for that couple of weeks... Give your back a rest, it is not too long. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4878 Registered: 7-2004 |
Peter: Sorry to hear about your operation and best wishes for a speedy recovery. I'd send you weights on some different acoustics, but I am in NY with only my Martin and no scale until next Tuesday. Let me know if you still need weights then and I'll bring my postal scale home from work and get you some accurate measurements. Bill, tgo | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 966 Registered: 10-2006 |
Maybe you're right Mario; I have one on my bookcase that my son left when he moved out, maybe I'll see what happens. Thanks, Bill, I'd appreciate it; it'll be 6/8 before I can do 5#, so yeah, it'll still be pertinent. Peter | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 309 Registered: 7-2009 |
Peter, yeah we are going that way too. I am wrapping up my masters at Christmas and it may be in Kinesiology. The department is in an uproar about it and I am NOT spending the money for a Doctorate.Besides, I already have my LMT and will be going to Rolfing school after this program. I want to fix people, not just have them ride a bike, or instruct on stretching. Got to go to Organic Chem 3 now, so take care buddy, and get well soon! | ||
| wideload
Intermediate Member Username: wideload Post Number: 171 Registered: 6-2003 |
I simply can't believe that Bill is without a scale! Hehe! | ||
| alemberic
Intermediate Member Username: alemberic Post Number: 106 Registered: 6-2006 |
Best wishes for a full and rapid recovery, Peter. Try not to get too impatient, though--you need to heal up completely. Eric | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 967 Registered: 10-2006 |
Caught her in the AM today; got in ~40 minutes (my limit on sitting in one stretch right now). My fingers hurt - boy, does it feel good! Thanks for the good wishes, all. Peter | ||
| poor_nigel
Intermediate Member Username: poor_nigel Post Number: 163 Registered: 11-2009 |
Hey Peter. I really feel for you and do hope you get all your back troubles behind you. We're really lucky they've made such advancements in technology, so we do get worked on and healed up, so we can get back to doing the important things in our lives. Today will be my first day getting back to picking up a bass to play it in over a month. Thankfully, alluses come and go. Wishing you a full recovery and lots of great play time in the future. | ||
| garth4664
Intermediate Member Username: garth4664 Post Number: 141 Registered: 10-2008 |
On the bright side, in ten years time if the current trend continues you will be able to lift 500 lbs. Apology for the tasteless joke - hope you get better soon | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 970 Registered: 10-2006 |
Went to the Dr. today expecting him raise my limit from 1 to 2 lbs, but he didn't - he made it 5! I can pick up a guitar!!! Sorry, Nick, the Mrs. went weird over the image thing; I'll see what I can do later. Peter | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 310 Registered: 7-2009 |
No worries, Peter. I have lots of images and the cadaver lab. I am going there today! They always pull the most interesting ones out for us. Get better and play some guitar! Nick | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10198 Registered: 5-2002 |
Wow Peter; was this something sudden? Glad the surgery was a success and that you are on the mend. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 972 Registered: 10-2006 |
It came on late last year & was diagonosed ~3-4 weeks ago, Dave. It was not there on an MRI 2.5 years ago. Pain started ~July, thought it was a recurrence of something else. Another MRI last month showed it - it was ~pinkie-finger size - which didn't leave a lot of room for spinal cord. Should be out of the back brace in a few weeks, no restrictions within 6 months except, lifetime, no more heavy labor (done that, I'm fine with no more) & no high impact, a ala football or skydiving (did football - that was part of the problem - but that was 40 years ago, so no loss. Skydiving? Always wanted to, guess I won't. A lesson for you youngsters - whatever it is, do it NOW!) Peter | ||
| hammer
Junior Username: hammer Post Number: 47 Registered: 9-2009 |
Hope you're feeling better and will be following your progress. Scheduled to have a similar procedure done in the next two weeks. Only difference is that my problem is between T1 and C7 with the pinching occuring at the nerve that exits the SC between these two vertebra. They're supposed to remove two cysts and do some "bone shaving" since there's some arthritic process back there too. Biggest difficulty right now(besides the pain) is that its restricting me to playing with a pick since the pinching affects every finger other than my thumb and forefinger. I've always been a non-impact sports guy so mine isn't from football. I hope it's not a result of 10 lb basses hanging off my shoulder all these years. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 974 Registered: 10-2006 |
You won't regret it, Brian; it was so bad that any movement or pressure from waist to knees was excruciating, and it was progressing so rapidly that I'm pretty sure if hadn't done the surgery 2 weeks ago, I wouldn't be walking now. When I woke up post-op, I was in a world of hurt - but none of it was in the same places, and it's already almost gone. My biggest problem now is that I hate the back brace, and still have a few more weeks of it. Let us know how yours goes, and hang in there until. For now, I just back from work (yeah, back in the classroom 2 weeks to the day from the surgery) & started PT yesterday, so I need to go do my exercises (any excuse to lose the brace....) Peter | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 311 Registered: 7-2009 |
Brian. First thing, I am not a doctor! What I am is a strutural integration therapist working on my Masters/DR in Physical therapy. If I may offer some advice? Before the surgery, find a Rolfer or certified structural integration therapist and have a few sessions. I am not familiar with you or your condition, but it is worth doing and may alliviate your problems. just my 2 cents. This therapy has kept me moving for years with no/little pain. I have moderate/advanced degeneration in all my thoracic and cervical vertebrae, scoliosis of spine. I rode bronks for years worked as an arborist for 12 years, toured as a bassist for years and ride bikes/skibikes,quads,and parachute jumping. By all rights I should be a cripple or dead, but here I am still enjoying life and moving on to a new career at 42. Good luck and all the best! Sorry about the hijack, Peter. Nick | ||
| hammer
Junior Username: hammer Post Number: 48 Registered: 9-2009 |
Thanks for the encouragement guys! I haven't been to a Rolfer, but did go the PT route first and then to a postural restoration specialist. I didn't get much relief from either intervention. Apparently the cysts are rather large. In addition, years ago I was diagnosed with spinal stenosis. The openings between two adjacent vertebra, that allow the nerve fibers to exit the spinal canal are just not large enough. So any inflammation back there leads to pain. My condition hasn't been helped given that I'm a Nordic ski coach and avid cyclist who has raced for years and both activities I've been told pace a lot of stress on T1/C7. After two nights of absolutely no sleep, they are trying me on prednisone to try to knock down some of the inflammation/nerve irritation which has been a lot worse since I got a steroid injection last week. Hopefully this will get me through til surgery. By the way, my doc loves the idea of postural restoration therapy and has encouraged me to go back following surgery to hopefully limit the probability of this occurring in the future. Nick, I’m not sure as to the differences between structural integration therapy and postural restoration, but…from what I’ve learned after a quick internet search for the former, both would probably lessen the probability of recurrence whether the problem is lumbar as is Peter’s or cervical-thoracic like mine. | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 313 Registered: 7-2009 |
Wow, Brian. That's some stuff to deal with. Best of luck with the surgery. The work I do is myofascial, tendonous attachment,muscle retraining, holisticly based. Seeing the body that works efficiently, works best. That and pain management are my primary goals. I do hope to be a Rolfer....someday. Nick | ||
| hammer
Member Username: hammer Post Number: 53 Registered: 9-2009 |
So after an iniital cancellation and a wait of another three weeks, I finally had my T1-C7 synovial cyst removal surgery last Friday. The good news is that because they were able to do it using minimally invasive techniques, recovery should not be that long and there are no limitations on activities (other than to not do anything that will rip out the stitches). I was able to play again, sitting down of course, two days after going under. No real problem with pain BUT...I still have weakness and numbness in my right fingers so while I can use a pick fairly effectively the fingers are still not working the way they are intended. When I contacted the neurosurgeon, all I got was information that the surgery went very well and there should be nothing impinging on the nerves that run down to those fingers anymore, in addition to a script for a corticosteriod which really hasn't helped. Has anyone who has had this type of spinal procedure experienced a delay in symptom relief or a need to go to a PT/OT because of muscle atrophy. I hate to be limited to using a pick for the rest of my life, but at this point, the strength and dexterity I once had in those fingers is just not there. | ||
| davehouck
Moderator Username: davehouck Post Number: 10241 Registered: 5-2002 |
Brian; I have no idea, but I do hope that it's nothing more than just a matter of time, healing, and exercise. Hoping for the best. | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1004 Registered: 10-2006 |
My movement was severely limited by pain for 6-7 months pre-op. Going on 2 months post-op I have had almost no real pain (just the back feeling "different", I guess I'd say), but my legs are a bit weak, & tire easily. I'm still doing PT twice a week, & will be for a while; hope time & exercise will do both of us. Peter | ||
| hammer
Member Username: hammer Post Number: 54 Registered: 9-2009 |
Peter: I experienced basically the same situation of 7-9 months of pain prior to anything really being done about it. In spite of the fact that I conduct health care related research in my professional life, I spent too much valuable time not listening to what my body was teling me, but rather, what the docs were saying (A word to the wise...no one knows your body like you do regardless of the number of professional degrees they have behind their name). I just hope that no permanent nerve damage was done and the PT (postural restoration) my neurosurgen has recommended does the trick. A week of being on prednisone has aleviated the pain, but the numbness continues. The silver lining to the cloud has been that, not being able to play much, I've finally had the time to purchase an Fx-1 and a power amp that's not 1970s vintage. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 708 Registered: 9-2008 |
If you watch a recovering Athlete you can see that even well trained bodies on young dudes can take some time to be back on shape again. PT can be hard due to all the pain and time our bodies need to take for recovery. That can frustrate and make us give up in the middle of that process. Please be patient and give yourself the time to heal. |
