Can’t stand straight due to arthritis in low back

Had laminectomy mid 2016 followed by infection and use of WoundVac machine for 16 weeks. During this period of relative inactivity my back has become very stiff and I am very stooped over when walking. Family practice doctor only prescribed strong pain meds. Is there anything else to alleviate the stiffness???

[arthritis_action Partner]

Hi Hidden , sorry to hear that your back is stiff right now.

Regular exercise is essential as it helps to strengthen the muscles that protect and support the joints. Exercise has even been proven to help reduce the pain of arthritis and improve function, including reducing the stiffness you're currently feeling in your back.

More information can be found in our article on Exercise and Arthritis. We also have a list of exercises designed to help you become improve mobility and reduce stiffness.

arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

Do make sure to start slowly if you're not used to exercise. If you have any concerns about whether specific exercises are suitable for you, please consult a healthcare professional before taking part.

Let us know how you get on!

[193639]

Sorry to hear that, ask if you can get a kenalog injection into the most affected area; you will feel better, I would not exercise your back before that. Try some posture exercises, plenty online to choose from. Start off with them and hold then get your breathing into a steady rhythm, again plenty of info online, look at a guy called Wim Hoff.

193639

[JDQuinn75]

I have arthritis in my spine as well. It’s been confirmed that it’s in the cervical spinal part of my spine as well as the lumbar area as well. The only area that it’s not confirmed is in the thoracic area where I also feel it. Mine does also affect me getting around at times do to the pain. wwb8823 I’ve considered using a wheelchair for my worst day. I’ve even gone as far as looking at them online. I’m going on 45 this year and never thought something like this would have me in a wheelchair before I was 50. This does wake me up in the middle of the night at times when the pain is bad in my spine. I’m going to be asking my gp next month what I can do for mine and see ya f he can recommend anything to me. Plus tell him my fears on what it might do to me as well.