http://www.back-report.com/lower-back-pain/can-i-still-be-able-to-swim-after-scoliosis-surgery/ Information To Relieve Back Pain Tue, 20 Oct 2009 23:09:47 -0600 hourly 1 http://www.back-report.com/lower-back-pain/can-i-still-be-able-to-swim-after-scoliosis-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-5374 Scott B Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:37:57 +0000 http://www.back-report.com/lower-back-pain/can-i-still-be-able-to-swim-after-scoliosis-surgery/#comment-5374 A big, large, qualified yes. It doesn't take too long for your scar to close up and it doesn't really hurt to swim unless you're twisting more than your back can handle. Because swimming involves twisting, you'll "probably" be allowed to swim (using a crawl) at one year post op. This is to give your spine time to fuse. If you're not fused, you could crack your fusion. That being said, you can do a breast stroke at six months (maybe earlier, ask your doctor) How well you can crawl, though, depends on the location and count of the fused levels. For example, I'm fused from T4-S1 and find it difficult to rotate my body to breath. This could be caused by a few things, though. I'm probably not doing the rotation correctly, I could have rotated my entire body and I probably didn't do that very well, etc. So it probably boils down to technique. I did to the crawl (and breast, and using just arms and using just legs...you get the idea) while using a snorkle and mask. After being really really frustrated at swimming with just goggles, this worked wonderfully. So, I really hope that your fusion is much smaller than mine and that you'll be able to swim easier. A huge, large, qualified yes. It doesn’t take too long for your scar to close up and it doesn’t really hurt to swim unless you’re twisting more than your back can handle.
Because swimming involves twisting, you’ll “probably” be allowed to swim (using a crawl) at one year post op. This is to give your spine time to fuse. If you’re not fused, you could crack your fusion. That being said, you can do a breast stroke at six months (maybe earlier, question your doctor)
How well you can crawl, though, depends on the location and count of the fused levels. For example, I’m fused from T4-S1 and find it hard to rotate my body to breath. This could be caused by a few things, though. I’m probably not doing the rotation correctly, I could have rotated my entire body and I probably didn’t do that very well, etc. So it probably boils down to technique.
I did to the crawl (and breast, and using just arms and using just legs…you get the thought) while using a snorkle and mask. After being really really frustrated at swimming with just goggles, this worked wonderfully.
So, I really hope that your fusion is much smaller than mine and that you’ll be able to swim simpler.

]]> http://www.back-report.com/lower-back-pain/can-i-still-be-able-to-swim-after-scoliosis-surgery/comment-page-1/#comment-5373 trees750 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 03:03:30 +0000 http://www.back-report.com/lower-back-pain/can-i-still-be-able-to-swim-after-scoliosis-surgery/#comment-5373 You need to schedule a long appointment with your doctor before you have surgery. Make a written list of your questions, leaving several blank spaces between them so you can write down the doctors answers. You could also bring a small tape recorder and ask the doctor if you can record your discussion. I've never had a single doctor say no. Either way, you'll be nervous so be sure to write down your questions. You may want to bring someone with you to this appointment in case you do forget to bring something up. I'm not a doctor and haven't had this type of surgery. There are such varying degrees of scoliosis, it may be different from patient to patient. My guess is that swimming will probably be great exercise and help your back. Bottom line- talk to your doctor. Good luck on your surgery. Try to have a positive attitude to help speed your recovery. You need to schedule a long appointment with your doctor before you have surgery.
Make a written list of your questions, leaving several blank spaces between them so you can write down the doctors answers. You could also bring a small tape recorder and question the doctor if you can record your discussion. I’ve never had a single doctor say no. Either way, you’ll be nervous so be sure to write down your questions. You may want to bring someone with you to this appointment in case you do forget to bring something up.
I’m not a doctor and haven’t had this type of surgery. There are such varying degrees of scoliosis, it may be different from patient to patient. My guess is that swimming will probably be fantastic exercise and help your back.
Bottom line- talk to your doctor. Excellent luck on your surgery. Try to have a positive attitude to help speed your recovery.

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