Hi,
Just wondering what changes people made post op. Specifically at the office and in the car.
I work in an office and as we all know sitting is not terribly good for our backs. How did you alter your workplace. Ie raised desk, different seats etc....
Did anyone think about changing car to something easier to get in and out of like an suv? This maybe my man logic thinking of excuses to change car though 😉
One thing with this recovery is that we all have far too much time to think about things!
hi hugh
not sure really i had two discectomies which followed fusion all in the space of a few months,i think if you have got a job where you are sitting a lot think it's eight weeks when they suggest you go back because when i had first op my surgeon told me eight weeks as i have a job where im sitting mostly, i think the thing to do is get up once every 40 mins even if it's just to walk to the loo or just around the office and keep your back as straight as you can no slouching have chair up on level to desk so your not looking down too much.
hope this helps a little
good luck clare xx
New car sounds good lol, something that is easy to get in and out so a high car, and something that has adjustable seats and a soft ride so no sport models!
With the chair and posture it all really depends on why you had the disc problem in the first place and so you don't reproduce it?
Hi
Get a togu dynair for sitting on or a pelvic tilt cushion. Saved me and aided the revovery when i first started sitting for prolonged period.
As for the car, i found pressing the clutch a massive issue so swapped for an automatic
I've got 8 weeks off work to recover so just thinking ahead. My disc injury was caused by moving something heavy but I think there has been underlying weakness in my back for a while due to weak core muscles, poor posture and sitting at a desk all day. I can't avoid my desk job so just thinking about what I can do to minimise risk of re-herniation. At the least I'll get up every 30 mins to stretch my legs and go for a walk at lunch. Will be doing a lot more exercise once I've recovered as well to give myself the best chance.
Get a togu dynair for sitting on or a pelvic tilt cushion. Saved me and aided the revovery when i first started sitting for prolonged period.
As for the car, i found pressing the clutch a massive issue so swapped for an automatic
That togu dynair looks good. Similar to those wedge cushions I've heard about. Thanks for the tip.
Edit: there seems to be 2 types the round cushions and this wedge shaped one, not sure what the difference is
[DLMURL] http://www.togu.de/Gesundheit-Fitness/Dein-Ziel/Gesund-Sitzen/Dynair-Keil-Ballkissen-Premium-schwarz.html [/DLMURL]
We have done some of these things pre op. We have just changed our car for an automatic - not madly happy about this as I have never liked driving them. Still I will still be able to use gears instead and it is mainly for the clutch. Actually I have not driven it yet - partly because of pain but mainly because of drugs I am taking and my ability to fall asleep unexpectedly!!! The other factor was that our small car did not take a wheelchair well. I am hoping after the op that perhaps I will not need this but who knows.
We have also bought a pair of the memory foam wedge cushions which also help in the car. Strangely sitting is the one thing I can do without much pain (except in the car hence the cushions). All this started with problems standing, then this moved on to include walking and now I am very uncomfortable in bed. My disc problem is L3/4 so higher up and perhaps this is why sitting is currently the best for me. My other problem is spinal stenosis.
Angela
I've just ordered the togu wedge shaped cushion so will let you know how I get on.
Off to browse automatic suv's. Provided I get approval from the wife lol 🙂
My physio at hospital gave me quite a lot of advice. She said that if you had height adjustable seats to have them on high - of course not necessarily practical if you are very tall - I am only 5 ft 3 inches. This was because as far as possible you should avoid having two 90 degree angles at both knees and bottom of back. The back is obviously solved by having seat tilted slightly back and surprisingly the knees are much better with the height adjustor. Trouble with that was not many cars have adjustable seat height on the passenger side but we eventually found one. We are retired and not into SUV's!!!
My son who is in early 40's has quite a lot of back pain (something I never had until 18 months ago) and he swears by heated seats which he has switched on summer and winter alike but he doesn't now have problems in the car.
Angela
My physio at hospital gave me quite a lot of advice. She said that if you had height adjustable seats to have them on high - of course not necessarily practical if you are very tall - I am only 5 ft 3 inches. This was because as far as possible you should avoid having two 90 degree angles at both knees and bottom of back. The back is obviously solved by having seat tilted slightly back and surprisingly the knees are much better with the height adjustor. Trouble with that was not many cars have adjustable seat height on the passenger side but we eventually found one. We are retired and not into SUV's!!!
My son who is in early 40's has quite a lot of back pain (something I never had until 18 months ago) and he swears by heated seats which he has switched on summer and winter alike but he doesn't now have problems in the car.
Angela
Thanks Angela. I'm 6 ft 2 so I have the seats on the lowest setting just so I can get in! I'll speak with my physios in a couple of weeks to see what they advise for someone my size.
For those of you who have the togu cushion, how do you find it? Do you think it has helped?
Hi Subi,
I've found it has helped, more specifically with my posture as it forces you to sit correctly. My posture has always been bad. I think its meant to be similiar to sitting on a gym ball but a lot more practical. Initially I used it at the dinner table when I was early on in my recovery but now use it in the office.