walking with a stick

from JoeUser Forums

I had to see the neurologist yesterday about my back.

He's referring me to the neurosurgery department at Barnes Jewish hospital in St Louis..thinks that the time has come or is coming for me to get operated on.  I have a herniated disk at L2 and osteoarthritis in L1 and L2.  Rather than do a diskectomy, he thinks I should have a spinal fusion done instead....have the disk taken out, then use either cadaveric bone or some taken from my pelvis to fuse L1 and L2 together.  This is just the neurologist's opinion though, the surgeon might say something totally different.

In the meantime, he suggested that I consider using a cane to walk with on days that my back really bothers me, or if I know I'm going to be walking for a while (like when I'm shopping etc). 

Surprisingly, I'm for it. I thought about it, and realized that I'll probably be able to go for longer and be in less pain afterwards if I have a little assistance.  There was a time when I would have rejected the notion straight away, I wouldn't even have entertained the possibility.  Now, however...if walking with a cane means that i can walk around the park with my family and not be up all night in pain afterwards, then I'm all about that.

Besides, it'll be useful in getting the sympathy vote.  People will be more likely to give up their seat for me on a crowded Metro-Link tram if I'm using a cane...LOL 

 

misc
6,369 views 18 replies
Reply #1 from JoeUser Forums Top
I feel for you. I went through the surgery myself in '99. The cane is a good idea, it really does help. After the surgery, the pain was a great deal worse than beofre, but my right leg worked more or less normally again and still does most of the time.

I still carry a cane in the truck with me for the days when getting around is especially painful. Thankfully those days are far less frequent than they used to be.

Use the cane, but don't count on it as a miracle, it's still gonna hurt, but it will help maintain balance and ease the tension on the back caused from trying to maintain balance.

Good luck on the surgery.
Reply #2 from JoeUser Forums Top

Use the cane, but don't count on it as a miracle, it's still gonna hurt,

Yeah, I know....I'm not expecting to run a marathon with it, but if it helps me to walk the dog and not have to lay on the couch afterwards....then I'll be happy with that!

I too am looking forward to less painful days....

Star Control: Origins
Reply #3 from JoeUser Forums Top
I've always thought that if/when the day comes I need a cane, I'm gonna get one with the hidden flask of bourbon in it...
Reply #4 from JoeUser Forums Top

I've always thought that if/when the day comes I need a cane, I'm gonna get one with the hidden flask of bourbon in it

I wanted one that has a sword/knife in it....but alcohol will work as well!

I saw one today that has leopard print on it...not for me, but I do like the thought of having a funky cane.  P'raps I'll paint the one that I get...personalize it.

 

Reply #5 from JoeUser Forums Top
Bless your heart, dharma. . . . at least get yourself a badass cane . . . I recommend looking for something like Saruman's staff . . .
Reply #6 from JoeUser Forums Top

at least get yourself a badass cane


Oh yeah, that's a must!!  I wanted something really ornate and carved..I saw a pic of johnny cash's cane, it had a owl and snake carved into it - but that's not going to be practical.  I saw a copper-colored adjustable one that I'm thinking about getting, and I'm serious about painting/decorating it!

Reply #7 from JoeUser Forums Top
You need to get the one with the pewter fist of power on the top. That way if someone messes with you, you can clock them upside the head.

-- B
Reply #8 from JoeUser Forums Top

You need to get the one with the pewter fist of power on the top. That way if someone messes with you, you can clock them upside the head


I was thinking earlier of all the ways I can fuck with people if I have a cane...... I like the fist idea.

Reply #9 from JoeUser Forums Top
Its a tossup between:
Biff's cane from Back to the Future II
Sword cane
GUN cane
A Gandalf cane.

The first is for obsure movie references. The second and third are for pulling on punk ass kids. The last is for standing in the middle of a bottleneck and shouting "YOU WILL NOT PASS!!!" Decisions decisions...
Reply #10 from JoeUser Forums Top
recommendation: wal mart and other places sell a cane with a large offset handle. it's a kinda curved looking handle with a large flat horizontal top where your hand goes. you should recognize what I mean when you see it.

I've tried several different kinda, and these offer the most support with the least amount of arm/wrist strain. check it out.
Reply #11 from JoeUser Forums Top
I found a web page that shows a picture of what I mean.

http://www.absorbentsolutions.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=CTGY&Store_Code=ABSO&Category_Code=CANE

It's about half way down the page. Adjustable Aluminum Offset Cane.

Not the prettiest thing, but if you plan to use one, you'll be glad you have this one.
Reply #12 from JoeUser Forums Top

a cane with a large offset handle.


My husband's grandmother has one of those, I took it for a test run the last time we were over there and found it really comfortable.  I checked out ebay and found one just like it...so I'm keeping an eye on it.


I also found some gorgeous cane-toppers...they're pretty but not practical. 

Reply #13 from JoeUser Forums Top

Oh, and thanks for all your help Mason...that's really touching, and very helpful!

I've settled on a bronze offset handle adjustable one.  Practical and comfortable. 

Reply #14 from JoeUser Forums Top
hey dharma, as somebody who had back surgery just a year ago (mine was for a tumour in the middle of my spinal cord) -- I know how much this is sucking for you. I did the cane thing for awhile, and it's not so bad -- hopefully surgery will help you out a lot. There's always going to be some nerve problems though, but it gets better than before the surgery and it certainly doesn't get any worse.

good luck and hugs
Reply #15 from JoeUser Forums Top

Myrr, thank you so much.  I'm sorry that you had to go through it, but I'm thankful that you and Mason know how it is.

I'm hoping that the surgery will help out a lot.  I'm not expecting a miracle, I just want some relief without the aid of narcotics.

Hugs to you too!

Reply #16 from JoeUser Forums Top
There's always going to be some nerve problems though, but it gets better than before the surgery and it certainly doesn't get any worse.


Boy do I wish that were true. In my case at least, the nerve pain was and still is far worse than it was prior to the surgery. Leg works better, as the doc promised, but the pain is far worse even today. The doc warned me that could be the case.

I'm not writing this to cause you worry Dharma, in most cases the pain is helped a lot by the surgery. Just want you to have an honest picture of the possibilities. It's something to ask your doc about.

To paint a full picture, I will have to say that I put my surgery off for over 9 years before the loss of movement in my right leg forced me to have it, so the continued pain caused by permanent nerve damage is my own fault for waiting so long. Good luck with yours, best to tackle it now than to wait.
Reply #17 from JoeUser Forums Top

Mason:


I'm aware of the possibility of failure.  I know that there's no guarantee that it will resolve all of my pain. But, if I don't do it now, i run the risk of causing myself permanent damage.  I'd rather try and fix it now before it gets any worse than wait...and I'd rather do it when I'm young, healthy, and my husband is in the military and our healthcare covers 100% of the cost.


Of all the people I've spoken to who have had this problem and had it surgically fixed, 90% or better have reported a marked improvement in their level and frequency of pain.  Those are some pretty good odds, as far as I'm concerned.


You still in Louisiana?

Reply #18 from JoeUser Forums Top
Of all the people I've spoken to who have had this problem and had it surgically fixed, 90% or better have reported a marked improvement in their level and frequency of pain. Those are some pretty good odds, as far as I'm concerned.



You still in Louisiana?


You're right about that. The sooner the better, and yes the odds are very good. Again, good luck.

Yep, still in Louisiana. Picking up a military truck at Ft Polk in the morning.