Can I pull in my Abs while sitting post laminotomy ?

I am. Can you explain why the nerves healing is causing my legs to twitch and cramp ? That was happening before the surgery and now is continuing. They keep telling me that is to be expected, but it is very painful.

@annie1 I can't give you a specific answer, but I am sure that there must be inflammation at the surgical site, and it may take several weeks for that to subside as you heal. Twitches and cramps happen because the nerve is sending impulses to the muscles and that has been going on a long time for you. Squeezing the nerve has caused that to happen for awhile.

I had a similar situation when I broke my ankle a couple years ago. The injury had caused pressure and possible damage on a nerve going through the ankle and I could feel it pulsing right after it happened. Because of being in shock, it wasn't super painful yet, but felt like a twisted ankle. I used my hands and straightened my ankle to take the pressure off that nerve because I wanted to lessen stress on a stretched nerve.

When I was in a cast for several weeks and my ankle was swelling inside it, it was just pure torture because the swelling and inflammation increased the pain on an already angry nerve. The best thing I could do was lay on the couch and elevate my leg to take some of the circulation pressure off of it, use ice, and some pain medicine. It was a very long time before I could point my leg downward without increasing the pain because of circulation pressure from gravity. Often I felt like there was something extra under my foot on one side and it was just my perception of it because it wasn't really there, and that was an angry nerve. I have recovered, but my ankle still gives me some trouble and can swell a bit through the injured area perhaps because of a bit of nerve damage, and when that happens, I get a little bit of that same feeling that something extra is under one side of my foot.

It's been almost 4 years since the injury. I've also had pain related to tight scar tissue and I work on that which helps the joint move better. I use myofascial release on the scar tissue and the tight calf muscles that are putting pressure on the ligaments and tendons (sprained during the injury). I have walked a bit differently because of loss of strength, and that creates an imbalance between the weaker muscles on one side and the stronger ones that oppose them. Muscles do work in opposition with one side doing the work, and the other side, opposing that movement and providing a fine tuning to control the movement.

Healing and recovery is a lot of work. It takes time.... and usually more time that we think it should, but hang in there. I still have hope that I can regain the strength in my gimpy ankle now that I have figured out how to even out the imbalances. When you are further down the road of recovery, you may be able to work on scar tissue with myofascial release. Not now because your scars are still forming and healing, and the bone needs to be set and fused before you start pulling on them. I went through a period like that too with my cervical spine surgery when pain increased because of tightness of scar tissue and I just had to wait until about 5 months after my surgery to start myofascial release with my physical therapist.

One thing I have learned about pain is that stress increases that pain. Anything you can do to relax and not focus on pain, does help lessen the pain. Think of your pain now as "healing pain" rather than the "injury pain" that you had before. You have turned the corner and begun your healing. Right now you are taking "baby steps" and it all adds up slowly, but you will get there. BELIEVE that because that helps you get there. Don't let pain lock you up when HOPE can see the door that you want to walk through.

Jennifer

Thanks Jennifer. Wow your ankle story sounds harrowing! I think I spelled that wrong, but anyway, sounds terrible to be in a cast and have that inflammation. I have been wondering if this cramping and twitching will ever end even though it's only two weeks since my surgery. I don't sleep much because of it. I'm going to go to sleep now, hopefully. Thanks for your encouragement.

Hi Jennifer. Things are in a different phase in my healing that are difficult and I'm trying not to lose faith, although I consulted my senior surgeon, not the one who did the surgery, another older retired, well renowned surgeon. He was doing surgery for 45 yrs but now only consults. Anyway, I was doing well, maybe overdid it one or two days, walking a little only a couple of blocks farther. The next day I tried to get into a minivan and the driver put a step stool up for me to get in. When I stepped on it I felt a sharp pain in my left side, where I had been feeling tenderness already. After that I have been having sharp pain if I don't sit and stand extremely carefully and slowly. The Senior Surgeon examined me and said I have no nerve damage and the muscle is tight pulling me away from putting pressure on the swollen nerve as it tries to heal. Do you have any insight on this ? Thanks, Annie

@annie1 Did your surgeon mention scar tissue? Scar tissue tightens as it heals and you'll move into a phase where you feel it pull. You kind of need to live with it until it fully heals, and your bones are set. Getting in and out of a vehicle will have you bending your body and probably pull on it. I was uncomfortable between 2 months and 5 months when I could start stretching it. It was pretty annoying.

Have you tried some ice?
Jennifer

He didn't mention scar tissue. I am pretty restless I have to admit I didn't go out all day today but I did have to walk around my apartment I didn't have anyone to help me to cook anything so I managed to make something quick to eat. Yeah I was possibly going to go into my friend's car tomorrow for a very short while just to see the outside world. Do you think I shouldn't get in a car at all for a few days?

The muscle that is tight is pulling you away from putting pressure on your swollen nerve as it tries to heal.That is what he said.

If you’re referring to your abdomen muscles I’d say yes. These are my main core muscles supporting my bad back. I had same surgery in 1990. Jennifer is correct you should ask your doctor. Question about the personal trainer. Have you started PT post surgery and is your trainer knowledgeable as a PT in treating postop fusion patients? Lastly what were your postop orders from Doctor?