Pushups Post-op: big pain, has anyone else had similar experiences?

**Ben** · 10-15-2009, 10:58 AM

Did ten pushups last night and I thought my incision was going to bust open. Big pain. When I do my ab workout laying on my back I have no pain at all. It has been nearly 4 months since my 2 level adr surgery. Has anyone else had similar experiences?

**New-disc** · 10-15-2009, 01:14 PM

Ben,

I sure like to stay in shape, but doing push ups?

Sounds like alot of stress on your rebuilt spine.

Personal risk

Walking and lifting no more than 5 lbs is my
risk %

Be good to your-self ---- if it hurts --- don't do it.

Todd

**Gilbert P** · 10-15-2009, 02:14 PM

Hi Ben

Push-Ups

I think if it hurts do not do it. I would only do core strength and moderate stretching, Please take it slow and easy.

Take Care

Gil

**trkdoc714** · 10-15-2009, 08:27 PM

Be careful Ben. I think push ups are a bad idea until you're sure the Mavericks have sufficient bone growth to support the lateral force of your body weight. What exercises does your physical therapist let you do? I'd stick with those for at least 6 months before I'd venture out of their guidance.

I'm looking for a new PT office. I'd like to find one that is equipped with big screen TVs, Lazyboys and beer coolers (actually Aetna stopped paying for PT since I couldn't prove a need for it.). Stenum sent me a letter to get them moving again.

It really sounds like you're doing great. I'm glad to hear (read) it!

Keep healing,

Bob

mark-Perth · 10-16-2009, 09:39 PM

hey Ben

Push up are a hard thing after major surgery.

I agree totally with Todd that you should limit yourself after having surgery like U had. I also have a several kg limit that I refuse to lift more than. It just isnt worth risking more spine surgery.

That being said I do alot of hydrotherapy exercises, swimming and walking to try rehabilitate as best as possible and started very soon after all my surgeries. I started in the pool at 2 weeks everytime as soon as the wound has healed properly.
After my ADR surgery I started rehab day 1 post-op and my physio pushed me to increase this slowly, even though it was extremely painful.
For the first few weeks it was just walking and core muscle exercises.
The reason for starting so quickly and vigourously after surgery was to ensure there were no adheasion problems.
This did include an exercise that is similar to a push-up but with the pelvis kept on the floor/bed. This exercise stretches the abdominal muscles seperating the layers avoiding adheasion problems. I was told to do this after all my surgeries, even the ADR removal and fusion surgery.

My physio deals primarily with post spine surgery rehab but every doc and physio recommends a different thing so you should always consult with them first as to what they recommend specifically for U!

I am happy to send U a copy of these exercises so U can take them to your physio and see if they will be of any help for U, just send me a PM if U want them.
I have noticed that alot of people are advised totally different to me so make sure it suits U before doing anything.

From my view doing a push up would require very very strong abdominal muscles to keep your body straight which may be why you are experiencing pain after.
Pain is often the best sign that you have done too much.
Pain at the wound as if it feels like its going to split open, months after surgery may be a sign that there is scar tissue build up there and the skin isnt moving sperately. Definately speak to the Physio about it.

hope U get back on track soon

Mark

**Justin** · 10-17-2009, 03:05 AM

Hey Ben,

You have received great advice in the posts above. Push-ups are really hard on one's lower back. Also, being only four months post-op is not that far out from surgery.

Throughout college and medical school I have lifted weights regularly in the gym, and one thing I have noticed is the poor / incorrect form that people use during push-ups. Poor form can be extremely taxing to even patients with the best of spines.

Life after spine surgery is good for most Spine Patients: they have successfully addressed pain generators and have placed the body in a position to heal itself. However, spine surgery does not come without continual "adjustments" and changes to the way we live post-op. Changing my active, adrenaline-junkie lifestyle at the age of 17 was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do. Personally, I realized that I needed to make lifestyle changes and approach activities differently, even basic activities like taking out the trash or how I get in/out of my car. Sorry for getting off of topic...I just wanted to stress that even the "littlest," day-to-day activities that most people don't even have to think about, should now be approached with your spine in mind.

Anyway...if you really want to do push-ups, do a modified push-up with your knees on the ground. This will take the extra stress of regular push-ups off of your lower back and will provide you with increased stability & better form.

Be well.

**Ben** · 10-20-2009, 07:52 PM

thanks for the great advice guys. I feel so good I forget what I have been through and I definitely do not want to do it again. I will continue to focus on the core strength and stretching. I don't have a pt person and have not since I got back....been flying solo. Thanks for keeping me out of trouble. Went for big hike in the woods over the weekend, uphill, downhill, over logs, uphill, uphill.....sore. Good sore though. Numbness in my feet is gone. Distraction is all but gone too. Pretty incredible stuff the adr surgeons do. Slow and easy for me!