ohs, sternum healing, scoliosis, back pain: when can i do yoga etc?

[verysmallnosies]

Hi everyone. I had OHS in September... all went well thankfully. I have childhood scoliosis: I never had surgery or a brace, but my spine is not straight (S curve) and I have chronic low-grade back pain. Since surgery I have not done any of my usual exercises given to me by my physio, because obviously I had to let my sternum heal. But I am now SO stiff - I really need to do something. I'm 10 weeks after surgery. I'm aged 50. (A young 50. When am I ok to do things like spinal twists, yoga, etc, and what would be safe & useful to do? Any ideas? Thank you

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

For the first 12 weeks you shouldn't lift anything heavier than half a kettle of water to protect your sternum. You are nearly at that point but I feel your exercises are too specific for me to comment on.

I think it would be an idea to ring the BHF nurses. They are available M - F, 9:00 - 17:00, and Saturday 10:00 - 16:00.

[verysmallnosies in reply to MichaelJH]

I'm in Dublin! But I hear you. I do need some expert advice. I've not started cardiac rehab yet either so can't ask them (yet).

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to verysmallnosies]

They will not mind you ringing as we are all still in the EU!

[verysmallnosies in reply to MichaelJH]

ps. Hope you're keeping well.

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to verysmallnosies]

My physio with the prothesis has been totally derailed by other people's actions! ☹️

[verysmallnosies in reply to MichaelJH]

That's a drag! I'm sorry to hear that. What do you mean? (if you feel like talking about it.)

[Blackcatsooty]

Please follow Michaels suggestion. You need to get moving without delay.

Gentle moving.

Slow walking and trunk exercises probably.

But you need an experts guidance.

Background info ;

Gentle exercises for 3 months Up to half kettle

Next level for another 3 months whole kettle.

Then its taking care because it takes longer for your sternum to repair

Colin

[verysmallnosies in reply to Blackcatsooty]

Oh I am 100% moving! Walking, daily. Doing exactly as I've been told. The issue is stretching and twisting type exercises, which before the op would keep my back pain at bay.

[080311]

Hello verysmallnoises

Getting your stamina back is important, so walking is a must, fast enough that you can still talk to someone, or if your on your own than being able to sing! I must admit had a couple of strange looks after my op 😂

Your sternum will heal, my surgeon told me 18 months after surgery my sternum would be stronger than his as new bone would grow over the wires.

So before you start doing your normal exercises check with your cardiologist/surgeon have you had your post op check with your surgeon ask then.

It will be a case of looking after your sternum and looking after your scoliosis.

I wish you a great recovery.

Take care Pauline

[verysmallnosies in reply to 080311]

Thanks so much, Pauline. I also sang a lot, post-surgery, to open up my lungs! I had to get a lung drained after surgery so this was particularly useful. On the ward, with my room door closed... '90s tunes and whatever popped into my head. I am indeed walking, briskly, daily, to get my stamina up. It's more stretchy, twisty exercises for back health that I've been avoiding. I did see my surgeon, last week, and didn't think to ask him.

[verysmallnosies]

Thank you all so much! I should make it clear... I walk quite briskly six days a week, for a minimum of 30 mins – I've done over 2 hours on occasion. It's not that I'm not exercising: it's that the waist and back-specific exercises that keep my scoliosis-related back pain at bay, are off the menu while my sternum is healing. So is yoga - the physio in hospital was saying I can't put any pressure, so things like downward dog, sun salutes etc are also out for now. Spinal twists in particular used to give me so much relief but I'd be afraid to do them at the moment.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Hello,

Have you tried chair yoga as an alternative?

I would of course check whether this is okay with your Cardiology team

[verysmallnosies in reply to Milkfairy]

Ooh! I will google that!

[francesw47]

Hello Verysmallnoises

I have scoliosis (also S shaped curve) and had OHS. Its was not too much of a problem initially but my back did get very stiff after a few weeks. As others have said, walking is great exercise initially but you should not do any stretching, twisting or lifting until 12 weeks post op. Cardiac rehab is helpful and I found the physio knowledgeable about how to help my back from becoming too stiff. But these are not ideal times...and I'm not sure whether the hospital/cardiac rehab is functioning in Dublin atm.

As Michael says, why not give the BHF nurses a call and talk to them. After 4 months I went to a physio who did pilates and she designed a programme based around my back which was really helpful (not cheap, mind you) and I still do the exercises today.

But until your sternum is healed fully, take care.

[Jay777]

Hello, lovely to hear you are doing so well. You may recall I’m just a couple of weeks ahead of you in my recovery.

I would say avoid anything that puts pressure through arms for a couple more weeks, e.g downward dog, plank. My rehab nurse said I can start yoga again at 12 weeks but be aware of how things feel. Sitting Spinal twists are fine now much improved from a couple of weeks back when I avoided whilst I could feel a twinge across chest. I was able to do a lying twist where you keep upper body still from day 1. Cardiologist told me I had to stop yoga nine months ago when Valve was critical pre-op so I feel I’m back to beginners level and I am so stiff.

[IrisCarter]

I do yoga. I started doing gentle twists etc as soon as I could move without pain. My guideline is if it hurts stop. A little discomfort is OK because we do stiffen up with surgery and immobility, but if it makes you go ‘Ouch!’ then stop immediately.

[Wooodsie]

Hi Verysmallnoises, I had my op the same time as you. I am 64 (also a young 64). I am running, doing yoga, light weights (v simple exercises), in fact doing everything I did before, but slightly less intense. I am doing rehab with the hospital (past 3 weeks), and as of next week I'm going up a group.

My sternum hurts, but this is the only remaining symptom. I asked the cardiologist and he said it takes 12 weeks to knit together completely. He said if it starts to 'click' or move, then stop exercising for a while. All in all, it is better to do, than not to do.

In your app store search EXi, this is an app produced by the NHS and physiotherapists, for people post open heart surgery. You can put in all your details and it will subscribe activities for you. It will link with an apple watch, but not android, that is on the way, then it will monitor your heart and exercise (including steps) for you.

I believe that you know your own body better than anyone, I would start doing your yoga, don't put your hands above your head or behind your back as this stretches a lot.

I hope this helps, I'm not giving advice, I'm saying how it is for me.

Best, Steve

[Wooodsie]

Oh, forgot to mention, cardiologist said I can't undo anything he has done and I'm fitter now than I have been for YEARS. I couldn't agree more, my breathing and wellbeing are better that I can remember.