Aren’t there some spine specialists on here?

How are you doing? @Gorilla George

 

Meh, good and bad.

I just had an update this morning with my Neurosurgeon and we went over the CT Scan from Friday.

The good is that everything has taken as it should as far as the rebuild goes. The bones in my spine have healed enough that even if I was to break the Ti Rods in my spine, the bones would still support my upper body.

The bad is the nerves and motor functions.

My spine had deteriorated to the point that after the rebuild, my spine is 4mm longer. And the nerve channel took a good bit of damage from the fragment in there.

Well, in addition to the nerve repairs, the nerves (both sides) had to be stretched to reach the new location (due to the extra 4mm). Because of all of that, my legs are numb to about halfway down my calves. And my legs feel like they are on fire all the time, and if anything touches them it is super painful...like I’m being stabbed with a bunch of needles.

The worst part is the motor function. I asked my Therapist why my walking is all fucked up. My spinal cord is intact, I know how to walk, and my legs are structurally fine, so why do I walk like a nearly-dead drunk person struggling to make each step.

Well, she said “I” know how to walk, but my legs don’t.

She gave an example of taking on a whole new sport. At first, you aren’t any good at it. And then with practice, you get better. That “getting better” is actually your nerves and brain learning and aligning on the most effective and efficient way to move in order to be good at that particular sport.

Apparently, with all the nerve damage, repairs, stretching, and relocating...I have lost that.

Which means I essentially have to “re-learn” or re-train my legs I guess would be more accurate, how to walk.

 

You should see me trying to get on the stationary bike and trying to get my feet in the pedals (and inside that loop thing that holds your feet in place).

Each foot is a 3-4 min struggle with my leg jerking and shaking, and basically not doing what I want it to do.

It’s like that with everything. My brain thinks it, and I know what to do, but getting my legs to actually do it is another story.

But since I don’t have to worry about work, I’m doing PT 5 days a week (they are closed on weekends). I’m booked every day, for the next month. Then when I get towards the end of that, I’ll book the next month.

Plus I have “homework” exercises that I do on weekends.

So the good news is that structurally, my spine is healing and is right on track. The bad news is that I have train my legs how to do everything (again).

But thanks for asking

 

Maybe just watch your foot... tell it to do something, see what it does.

Tell it to do something else.... see what it actually does.

Shoot the middle, learn what it'll do then.

Learn what language your legs speak now, and forget the past 30 years of how you've been communicating.

Simple.


Jeezus. I kid. It's totally fucked up.... but you're a stubborn ass mofo, so you'll be fine.

 

it'll be great when you're back to normal and laugh at this thread....until then, keep the good fight going

 

I have no doubts that I’ll be able to work my way through this. My brain knows what to do, my spinal cord is intact, and my legs are structurally ok.

But it is frustrating as hell, and I get very aggravated. Today the tech dude reached down to grab my foot and put it on the pedal, and I almost bit his head off. Needless to say, he won’t do that again.

But shit, I can reach down there with my hand and put it in place. But that accomplishes nothing.

This is different, and much more aggravating and frustrating than rehabing from any of my other surgeries.

Ive dealt with weakness, and pain and all the normal shit. I’ve never dealt with stuff just not working, and not doing what I tell it to do. It is a completely different ball game.

But I’ll win.

 

I feel like you're describing the same thing my stepfather describes when he talks about his parkinson's.

Good to hear physically you're ok though.. Hopefully the neuro isn't far behind..

I hate those pedal straps.

 

Keep on keepin on!

i am 3 years Post knee surgery and can finally do a couple of squats again.
You will get there faster.

 

Hang in there, you're on your way to recovery. I'm sure it's incredibly frustrating, but look how for you've come, in a short amount of time.

 

So, you have free time to watch good movies now in addition to the shitty ones you prioritize? You want suggestions?

 

As if he would listen. Velveeta and Sponge Bob.

 

F@ckin' Sponge Bob rules! Well, the original ones do, the newer ones are the meh at best.

 

The nurses would laugh when they would come in and id be watching Spongebob.

 

Broome at rehab

 

Funny that people posted today... was just thinking of you @Gorilla George yesterday and wondering how it was going with you !?

 

Ok, that shits funny.

 

In general, better. But my walking (and leg control in general) has regressed a good bit. But it happened one time before so I am not too worried. During therapy I got to where I could do the bicycle relatively ok...then the next week I couldn't work it. Stan said I was doing too much, and getting the nerve channels inflamed. When that happens, I "lose conductivity" for lack of a better description. So I think a few days of rest and I will be back to where I was.

But in the past couple of weeks I have been getting a lot of (new) pain in the spine section they rebuilt. Not muscular pain, a different kind of pain. It is hard to describe. It feels like a football sized robot is trying to break out of my lower back.

It may be normal. It may be that the nerves in my back are regenerating and now I can feel trauma that has actually been there the whole time (I just couldn't feel it before). But I have an MRI scheduled to make sure.

So overall, I am making progress. It's been a battle for sure, but I am coming out on top. Thanks for asking.