8 Weeks Post Surgery: I Could Really Use Some Inspiration, or Successful Rehab Story

[ChicagoJack]

I Could Really Use Some Inspiration, or Successful Rehab Story

The notion that I might never play tennis again is occuring for me more often than I care to admit. If you know of an inspirational tale, or you have successfully bounced back from injury yourself, I'd love to hear about it. I could really use a success story right about now. I'm quite worried about the slippery slope scenarios that are possible at this point. I've done my best to keep this an easy read, but suffering from the delusion that somebody might be interested, I will breifly explain what has brought me to this point. I have three issues occuring at the same time.

1. Lower back: Grade 2.5 Sponydlolesthesis at L4/5, last 16 Years: This is means my spine is severed [the bones, not the nerves] at the next to last bottom vertebrae, and has slipped forward into a half on/half off position to the vertebal body below it. The disc between these two veterbae has bulged, then torn, then leaked out completely and distinitigrated over the last 15 years. This creates sciatic pain to both legs and feet 24 hours a day and ranges from a dull ache to stabbing throbs to tingling and occasional numbness. I had spinal fusion offered to me in the mid 90s but declined the offer.

2. Left Knee: Cracked Cartilage was repaired with Arthroscopic Surgery 8 weeks ago, but post surgery muscle atrophy has lead to patellar-femoral tracking problems. Scope also revelealed chrondomalcia, softening of cartilage under pattella. My knee locks attempting to weight the leg in the slightly bent position but works fine after that. This is the kind of knee issue that has me walking fine, climbing stairs with ease but descending stairs is difficult unless I really deep bend my knees the whole way and never straighten them. I'm currently in physical therapy to correct this muscle atrophy. Six weeks ago, the circumference of my quadriceps muscle feeding my problem knee was 2 cm smaller than my good side. It is now .5 cm larger than my good side. This hard won muscle gain has me only slightly more mobile than when I started PT 6 weeks ago. Seems like the surgery fixed the original problem, but the surgery has also incurred complications of its own.

3. Right Achilees: Retrocalcaneal Bursitis, Tendonitis and a Partial Tear I have discovered that bursitis (inflammation of the surrounding fluid filled bursae sac ) is is main issue of the three. I did 10 weeks of PT for this, which only made my condition worse. Then my Doc switched approach and put me in a walking boot rendering my ankle immobile for 6 weeks. Took me another 3 weeks to just get walking normal again after that. Every time I try to up the work level a teeny bit, try to build muscle or regain flexibilty, the symptoms just flare up again. It seems like I am on a slippery slope, and going nowhere but down hill. I have been strugging with this issue for 14 months now.

Right now, after giving the boot to the last team working with me, I currently have the one of best Sports Doc Knee Specialists in Chicago in my corner. My current physical therapist is quite competent, I'm working hard and gaining real muscle in my rehab program, but the reality is, there is nothing in my historical experience informing me the stuff known as physical therapy actually works. I feel as if I've got my whole future at stake in some notion called physical therapy that in my personal experience does not work. I feel as though there is either there is something wrong with me, I'm just built out of the wrong stuff, or the whole industry is just a dog and pony show. I don't know which is true, and both possibilites are distressing.

Regards,

Jack

 

[El Diablo]

Everything here argues against any further vertical trauma for you....henceforth your sport needs to be swimming. Too much risk involved in bouncing around on hard surfaces, whether you have further surgery or not. Tennis would be a bad idea.

 

[tennislady]

Well,I have been an avid player for about 25 years, now, and actually share some of your injuries. I don't know if being female makes any difference. It seems most of the posts are from the male persuasion. I have had back surgery for L4-L5 ,disc removed. Has been 18 years ago, and I have been perfectly able to play tennis as much and hard as I wanted. 4 times a week.Back is perfect.
Now I have exactly what you describe as achilles tendinits, retrocalcaneal bursitis. Have had for abour 18 months. And that is the most frustrating injury. Have had physical therapy, did not change much. Have new orthotics. Hope they help some. And the scary thing is I have the calcium build up on my achilles heel you are talking about. a big bump of gunk, as you say mucking up the heel bone. Am still doing exercises, and still trying to play some tennnis... But really do not want surgery on it, because I have a feeling then it will never be strong enoug again. But I am hopeful, with orthotics, (heel has been built up) and therapy I will see some light at end of tunnel. Hang in there, I guess this injury takes long time to heal, so they tell me.

 

[Phil]

That sucks, Chicago Jack. I don't know what to say that would cheer you up, and I'm certainly not going to use the "I feel your pain" line.

I guess, just listen to your doctors, as you obviously trust your new "team", put your energies into rehabbing your injuries-just as you did in developing your tennis skills from tennis neophyte to solid club player-and maybe more importantly, exercise your MIND duiring your downtime. Don't depend on the idiot box. Read.

You're obviously very politically involved, if not active-why not put your intellectual energies and passion (as you did with tennis) into helping to nullify the evil that sits in the White House (a.k.a. our President and his henchmen) and right the country again?

It sounds like you may be able to come back and play after extensive rehabbing, but as El Diablo mentioned, you need to think that through and weigh playing tennis-and all its attendent mental benefits against the possibility, if you start playing again, of not being able to walk, or to only do so with extreme pain and effort, by the time you reach your "Golden Years".

 

[chess9]

Jack:

All of that sounds like your body is a traitor! You need to refer it to the U.S. Attorney for prosecution.

I spent a solid year barely able to walk after an unlicensed, uninsured, uncoordinated, and drunk woman hit me while illegally driving her brother's truck. I was on my bike and was thrown 30 feet. I had a compression fracture at T-12, disk damage at L-5, L-4, S-1, and at T-10, T-11. In addition, my left rotator cuff was torn badly, my left knee ligaments were a mess, and I had several other minor problems. I didn't walk right for a year. When I went to physical therapy the first few weeks I would actually be in tears from the horrible back pain. Just the slightest movement had me nearly passing out.

Anyway, your back problems definitely sound the worst and the most problematic. No one here can tell you to play tennis, and, in fact, the advice to swim is one of the best for now. Except for the deleterious effects of chlorine on the lungs, swimming is a great exercise. Your mental state will be heightened, probably, after a few months of swimming. It also loosens you up a bit. I always feel smoother on the court after swimming.

Please, don't give up now. Hang in there because back surgery is improving rapidly. Some of the minimally invasive spine surgeons have techniques that will minimize your down time and maximize your feel good quotient. Picking the right doctor is the hard part. I would go to a major teaching hospital with a great orthopedic chairman.

Also, I was in the grocery store two days ago with my friend who has very bad emphysema from years of smoking and she saw a one legged man with a crutch doing his shopping! She commented that she felt so LUCKY!!! I'm not too good at that sort of "be thankful for what you've got" thinking, but it is true. Most of us are doing great. I'll bet you have a wonderful family, a job, and no other serious medical problems? If you have just one great love in your life, something a lot of very healthy people are missing, then you are lucky.

Best of luck, mate. You have a good heart and certainly deserve more.

-Robert

 

[Marius_Hancu]

Jack:

I would make a special effort to be as light as possible, in order to reduce the load on the back and joints. Thus, a proper diet.

Swimming would be a good idea.

Not sure about tennis, esp on hard courts.

Good luck!

P.S.
For those with heel problems, you might read the results of my encounters with my docs here:
http://tt.tennis-warehouse.com/showthread.php?t=24273

 

[ChicagoJack]

That sucks, Chicago Jack. I don't know what to say that would cheer you up, and I'm certainly not going to use the "I feel your pain" line.

A sympathetic tone from the legendary razor toungued rascal known as Phil is comfort enough.

I guess, just listen to your doctors, as you obviously trust your new "team", put your energies into rehabbing your injuries-just as you did in developing your tennis skills from tennis neophyte to solid club player-and maybe more importantly, exercise your MIND duiring your downtime. Don't depend on the idiot box. Read.

Great advice. I've poured my mind into new activities I've always had keen interest in. Taken up painting and gardening in my down time, derive great pleasure from painting badly, and our new home which has been swimming in a sea of nothing but pristine and embarrassingly untouched fresh sod, is finally acquiring touches of landscaping. The idiot box remains my favorite lunchtime and pre-bed activity, and putting the admittedly morose tone of this particular thread aside, provides me much needed lighthearted entertainment.

You're obviously very politically involved, if not active-why not put your intellectual energies and passion (as you did with tennis) into helping to nullify the evil that sits in the White House (a.k.a. our President and his henchmen) and right the country again?

I've had several folks suggest that. Been to township committee meetings where we are all sitting around the trying to figure out who's willing to be the district committeeman for quadrant x that was nothing but farmland but is now supporting four subdivisions of single family homes. The national races are being won and lost in that demographic fringe area where big city meets small town. R townships at the edges of D big cities a just like mine, are the current national level battleground.

It sounds like you may be able to come back and play after extensive rehabbing, but as El Diablo mentioned, you need to think that through and weigh playing tennis-and all its attendent mental benefits against the possibility, if you start playing again, of not being able to walk, or to only do so with extreme pain and effort, by the time you reach your "Golden Years".

Playing tennis again is still the current goal. Speaking realistically though, If I do return, I will have trim back my activity to just the fall-winter traveling club team, one match per weekend gig. My summertime routine battling the kids in open level tournaments is what has taken a toll on my body. Hard not to play on the third day, if the third day means you spilled your guts to get to the semi's or finals, and you drove to 300 miles to be there. Many times I knew my knees, ankles and back needed rest, and I didn't take it. At 44 I need to do more listening to my body, and less telling my body what I want it to do.

I'm fully aware some of the early signs of permanent nerve and tissue damage due to my lower back issue. If I get to the point where just normal life activities become problematic, I can't work or walk, and have little to loose, then back surgery will look more attractive. Right now I still have too much mobility to risk loosing more. My back issue, even though it looks god awful on a side view MRI film is moving at a glaciers pace, and according to every specialist I've seen relatively stable. It's helpful also to remember that my post volleyball period of complete inactivity put me on a nice program of systematic muscle atrophy. It was thru playing tennis that I slowly regained more functionality than I ever thought possible.

Thanks again Phil. Best regards to you and yours.
- Jack


[..]...........................


Big thanks to tennislady and Chess9. You've fullfilled my request for an inspirational story, and I have comments and questions for both of you rattling in my head, but will have to postpone that. I'm off to PT. There's a few flights of stairs that need to understand who's boss.

Marius - I see you are posting just now, your level of contrubution this section of the board is, and continues to be stellar.

-Jack

 

[Phil]

A sympathetic tone from the legendary razor toungued rascal known as Phil is comfort enough.

Well, I may be all that, and an a-hole to boot , but we're all tennis players here, and I sure don't like to hear that you or anyone else is looking at the possibility of not being able to play tennis, or even possibly lead a normal, pain-free life, due to injury.

Sounds like you have a plan, though, and intend to kick these things...all that just proves how powerful our minds can be, when the body doesn't own up to its end of the deal.

That political activist opportunity sounds interesting. The opposition to Bush needs all the help it can get, 'cause unless they get their act together nationally, the mid-term elections will be another disaster...at a time when the opportunity to take Congress back is as good as it ever was (on paper at least). So it's nice to hear someone else taking a stand.

Good luck and don't get down...there will be those times...

 

[waves2ya]

Jack - you've gotten some fine advice - here's some things I learned on my multi year road to recovery...

Keep a journal. Start small. Titrate into stuff that's more difficult then ease back. Continually toe that line. Stay w/ the PT/learn more yourself about athletic conditioning techinques and best practices for *your* presentation.

It's interesting, but in your story - your wheels let you down. If your neuro/othro (back expert) hasn't ko'd tennis, and your not presenting with great neuro deficit (you must be aquainted w/ the signs), then focus on what let ya down and not what might let you down. As you prolly know, lot's of folks have pretty scary films out there (up to grade 5 spondy +) and powerlift, compete - do way too wacky stuff.

Know the signs for your back, focus on strength for your wheels and ease up to 'line of capacity (your 'box')' and back. Give yourself some time, keep a journal so that really bad day doesn't rob you of a week of really good one's...

And keep at it. Hell - look at Floyd Landis (this year's Tour de France)...

 

[NoBadMojo]

Hi Jack...obviously nothing profound to be said by me, but the mind can influence the healing I think you know and may agree..I think we had a lengthy conversation about your achilles probem some while ago as I had very chronic achilles tendonitis in both of mine which took about 8 years to final mostly conquer....i am wondering if you got hoooked up w. the orthotics we discussed? With the back and knee issues, could it be that your body just isnt ligning up properly as a result of your foot strike being off? To this day, I have to limit the serve/volley stuff and can play singles but not doubles (pretty backwards for an older guy) as that move agravates my achilles and there are some drop shots I just dont run for anymore because pushing forward aggravates them, and I play almost always on the dirt. I bet you wont quit the tennis, but there may be ways you can play where you can still get out there and hit the ball around while not jacking up your joints too much....if you enjoy the tennis without the match play, there are drills you can do where you dont have to hyper extend and aggravate stuff and if you can do this on the dirt maybe you can keep at the tennis a bit until you can heal yourself up more..just dont play on consecutive days and take precautions..what have your docs told you? that you shouldnt play? I'm not telling you about my stuff just to tell you about my stuff..am sharing with you as maybe something I learned may be useful to you.....all the best CJ....Ed

 

[Ronnie7]

Don't worry about it at all. I had surgery on my shoulder after I ripped 90% of my ligaments out. Even though they told me not to play tennis again, I did the rehab excessively, and I'm playing better than ever. By the way, I'm in Chicago too.


DO DO DO THE REHAB.

 

[chess9]

Jack - you've gotten some fine advice - here's some things I learned on my multi year road to recovery...

Keep a journal. Start small. Titrate into stuff that's more difficult then ease back. Continually toe that line. Stay w/ the PT/learn more yourself about athletic conditioning techinques and best practices for *your* presentation.

It's interesting, but in your story - your wheels let you down. If your neuro/othro (back expert) hasn't ko'd tennis, and your not presenting with great neuro deficit (you must be aquainted w/ the signs), then focus on what let ya down and not what might let you down. As you prolly know, lot's of folks have pretty scary films out there (up to grade 5 spondy +) and powerlift, compete - do way too wacky stuff.

Know the signs for your back, focus on strength for your wheels and ease up to 'line of capacity (your 'box')' and back. Give yourself some time, keep a journal so that really bad day doesn't rob you of a week of really good one's...

And keep at it. Hell - look at Floyd Landis (this year's Tour de France)...

My doctor, commenting on my MRI, expressed surprise I was playing tennis with my back. I told him I occasionally take some ibuprofen for my patellar tendonitis, but never expected to be able to quell the back pain. Some days it hurts like hell after 7 or 8 sets of tennis, so I just rest on the floor without a pillow and ice my back when I'm done. Otherwise, I couldn't play. Today I played 5 sets and am not in too much pain watching the final time trial of Le Tour. I'm probably going to have to bag it in another year or so, but maybe we'll have some really significant back treatment break throughs by then. Actually, that would be a great thread for this group-"TODAY'S BEST BACK SURGERIES EXPLICATED." My back could put an orthopod's kid through one year at Harvard....

-Robert

 

[Mr. Blond]

Chicagojack,

I don't mean to sound like you should give up on rehabbing your injuries, but have you considered wheelchair tennis? I know you are probably reading this thinking, jeese I am not a complete gimp. I don't mean to insult you that way, but many don't realize just how competitive it is. The top wheelchair tennis players in the world do not use wheelchairs on an everyday basis. They play in wheelchairs because of injuries very much like yours. Steve Welch is one of the top players in the world and after a match he hops out of his chair and carries it off court. Point is, you could still have your love for tennis and even add a new dimension to that love while taking care of those injuries.

 

[El Diablo]

Before anyone blasts blabit for giving up on you playing serious upright tennis again, I would add that anyone who plays with a lumbar vertebra in a half-on half-off position is INSANE. There's too much machismo denial in this Health and Fitness forum about the wonders of rehab and the power of positive thinking to overcome anything. Those are all well and good but if your spinal column looks like a stack of canned goods after an earthquake, playing a sport like tennis puts you at risk for permanent paralysis. (The molecular biologists who aren't into hype give stem cells another 20 or 30 years -- one of the more brilliant of them says 50 years -- wanna wait?). I enjoy tennis as much as the next guy, but not as much as I enjoy being able to walk, engage in consensual relations, and not pee on myself 15 times a day.

 

[Kevin T]

Hang in there, Chicago! You and I have similar back issues, though I would admitt your problem seems more severe. My back problems are the result of overuse, just like yourself. I played basketball and football in college. I basically spent every summer from the ages of 12 to 22 on hard courts playing tennis and asphalt outdoor basketball courts. You never think about bone/joint health as a youngster, eh? A herniated disk was a guarantee for me at least twice per year since graduating college. Unreal pain. Fortunately for me, the sciatic-type pain is only felt in my left leg. For me, the greatest blow has been to my mental health and attitude. It's tough on the ego when you go from all world, throwing down any dunk you want (at 6'3") to being lucky to grab the rim. I was literally on my way to the hospital 11 months ago for spinal fusion. Pulled off the side of the road and said to myself "not yet, buddy". I'm 31 and not about to go down that road at this time.

What did I do? Well, for starters, I gave up hard court tennis. Clay is it for me these days. I have also given up match-play for the last year. I have a set of guys that love to drill groundstrokes, play 21, etc. and this has actually made me a better player (I'm an old-school serve and volleyer). I have also focused on squash, playing only and cushioned/spring cushioned hard wood floors. For some reason, the service motion is what really aggrevates my condition and I can usually avoid the overhead in squash. Like Phil mentioned, I have also focused on "gentler" activities such as learning the guitar. And if you haven't tried it already, yoga has worked wonders for me. A little prayer/meditation never hurt anyone, either. I'm not Kevin of 5 years ago but it could be worse, eh?

Good luck and stay positive.

 

[jonolau]

Jack,

Though we have not communicated before, I emphatize with you and can only imagine a fraction of the frustration you're going through.

The saving grace for you is your supportive wife. She's sticking by your side through the long and narrow and even encourages you to get off the couch instead of chiding you. She truly understands you.

Therefore, don't forget to spend a bit more time to make life easier for her too. Do the right thing for her.

Your's and everone else's posts have made me realise one thing: I have so much to owe to my family to support me through these years, and the least I can return to them is to be able to carry my grandkids on my shoulders in the future ... as morbid as it sounds, our mortality is very fragile and is usually taken for granted until something drastic happens.

Get well soon and don't give up.

Jon

 

[VAmazona]

Two Words: Floyd Landis. Hang in there!

 

[chess9]

Two Words: Floyd Landis. Hang in there!

Let's hope we aren't saying three words: "Failed drug test." Someone in this year's Tour failed a drug test and we'll know shortly.

-Robert

 

[ChicagoJack]

Much thanks to all contributors here

Ever have a time you are struggling to find the words appropriate to the occasion?

I'm struggling to find the words big enough to thank you all for the many contributions of encouragement. I've decided my best method of repayment is to kick ass in my physical therapy, keep getting better, get my health back to better than before, then I will come back and share what worked for me. Perhaps somebody else can benefit from my lessons learned, failures, and hopefully my ultimate successes.

I will be gone for a while. I do not know how long, I have lots of work to do. I will be back when I am 100%. Then I will share with the board how I did it, and what I learned along the way. Perhaps this is the best way for me to repay my indebtedness to those who have provided me much needed inspiration.

Adios for now,
Jack

 

[jonolau]

Ever have a time you are struggling to find the words appropriate to the occasion?

I'm struggling to find the words big enough to thank you all for the many contributions of encouragement. I've decided my best method of repayment is to kick ass in my physical therapy, keep getting better, get my health back to better than before, then I will come back and share what worked for me. Perhaps somebody else can benefit from my lessons learned, failures, and hopefully my ultimate successes.

I will be gone for a while. I do not know how long, I have lots of work to do. I will be back when I am 100%. Then I will share with the board how I did it, and what I learned along the way. Perhaps this is the best way for me to repay my indebtedness to those who have provided me much needed inspiration.

Adios for now,
Jack

If you're reading this, all the best on your journey.

Jon

 

[jamn73]

i do feel your pain as i sit and write my reply. just to let you know i am going through the a similar back injury nowherniatation at l5 although not as severe as yours. i find that these dr's around here in austin texas don't know s*#t. i have gone to three and they all say it is just a muscle sprain (for 2 months) i had another mri friday because my mid back is killing me and the healing process is sooo slow. i go to the gym and do pilates stuff and back exercises now. got dismissed from pt because my insurance cut me off and they felt like they have done all they can. really i can do all of that crap at the gym. keep me updated on progress.