walking.......what if that poses problems?

[ruthienc1]

Hi all!
I keep reading in posts about how important it is to keep walking increasingly long distances as you go farther into recovery and I worry about not being able to do it. I'm hoping that riding an exercise bike as much as I can manage will do the job: it'll have to do! Last May I had a tri-malleolar (sp?)
fracture of my ankle and am walking semi-okay (held together with plates, pins, and screws).........just not for any kind of distance at all. Does anyone want to weigh in on the importance of walking and what happens when you can't.........All suggestions for post-op exercises for an almost 65-year-old-nana are most welcome!
Ruth

 

[Bina]

Hello and welcome!
I had my surgery before winter and did not leave the house much. You can use an exercise bike. I even lay in bed and lifted my legs and arms. While sitting in a chair use a physio type of elastic for stretching exercises. I'm sure the hospital physio dept will give you some more ideas.

 

[Superbob]

You might check to see if your local hospital has a cardiac rehab program and that your insurance will pay for it. Exercise bikes are one of the exercise machines they use. I am sure they could help set you with with an exercise program. A good local health club too.

 

[kfay]

Ruth, I am in Charlotte and at our YMCA here you can do 6 weeks of rehab with trainers as many days a week as you want for $75.00 if your Dr. fills out their forms stating the need. They have a nurse there from our hospital system here and the trainers work with you to get you exercising the best that you can. Where are you having your surgery?

Kim

 

[ruthienc1]

Kim, Dr. Cohn at Brigham and Womens' in Boston will be doing my AVR and then I guess I'll do the rest of the recovery at home in Greensboro. The cardiac rehab here is at our local hospital and is supposed to be very good. Guess I have to check and see if United Health Care will pay for it.........might be worth it even if we have to pay!

 

[WayneGM]

The exercise bike should do the trick. Walking is the standard because it's available to everyone. However, the main thing is exercises that help stimulate the cardio and respiratory systems, while not causing stress to the sternum. Also the importance is increasing duration over time, not necessarily distance. Best wishes and good luck.

 

[ctyguy]

Once your home and ready to start exercising (walking counts) what matters is that your heart rate elevates to what your rehab program dictates. Your heart doesn't know the difference if your walking or riding a bike, the point is that your heart rate is elevated, thats the key to the rehab. So a bike will be a great substitute if walking for a significant distance is a problem.

 

[Philip B]

Rehab

Rehab

I never did what I would consider a lot of long distance walking until I recovered well enough to walk a golf course. Frequent short walks were more to my liking. I got back on my bicycle as quick as my sternum would allow.

A formal cardiac rehab program really helped me get things on track. I started mine a couple of weeks after surgery (that's quite abit quicker than the norm). I spent quite a lot of time on a stationary spinning bike as well as a treadmill and stair climber while enrolled in the program. The nurse who runs your program should be able to set you up with equipment which will work the best for you.

It's important to do what you can to get your heart back in good condition following surgery. It was pretty sad to watch a couple of other folks give up on the rehab program I was in.

-Philip

 

[geebee]

The important thing is to keep moving however you are able to do so - some type of regular increasing exercise.

 

[ALCapshaw2]

Ruth,

I suggest talking with your orthopedic doctor (and cardiologist or surgeon or their Nurses) BEFORE your surgery.

You could also go visit the Cardiac Rehab Facility and talk with one of their nurses about your situation. Hopefully some of the above can make suggestions that you could implement shortly after surgery.

Water aerobics and / or swimming might be another option, once your scar is fully healed (to prevent infection).

I am a proponent of Cardiac Rehab if your insurance will cover it. Letters from your Heart Surgeon and Othropedic Surgeon may help in obtaining that coverage. Typically, Cardiac Rehab is not prescribed until about 6 weeks post-op, to allow the sternum to become 'set'. It takes 12 weeks for the sternum to be 100% healed.

'AL Capshaw'

 

[hensylee]

Hi all!
I keep reading in posts about how important it is to keep walking increasingly long distances as you go farther into recovery and I worry about not being able to do it. I'm hoping that riding an exercise bike as much as I can manage will do the job: it'll have to do! Last May I had a tri-malleolar (sp?)
fracture of my ankle and am walking semi-okay (held together with plates, pins, and screws).........just not for any kind of distance at all. Does anyone want to weigh in on the importance of walking and what happens when you can't.........All suggestions for post-op exercises for an almost 65-year-old-nana are most welcome!
Ruth

I, too, have an injury (hip) and can't do the walking either. Speak w/your drs and see what they suggest instead. I could walk after heart surgery but can't now after the injury. I walk short walks in the house and to the mailbox but that's it. My drs tell me exercise is important so I do try. House work is exercise; nothing better than that. Like dusting, vac-ing, putting dishes away from the dishwasher, making beds, cleaning sinks - and besides, you have to walk to do these things, but very short jaunts. Wish you success. Blessins........

 

[Jkm7]

I, too, have an injury (hip) and can't do the walking either. Speak w/your drs and see what they suggest instead. I could walk after heart surgery but can't now after the injury. I walk short walks in the house and to the mailbox but that's it. My drs tell me exercise is important so I do try. House work is exercise; nothing better than that. Like dusting, vac-ing, putting dishes away from the dishwasher, making beds, cleaning sinks - and besides, you have to walk to do these things, but very short jaunts. Wish you success. Blessins........

I agree that housework can be good exercise but want to caution you should not be doing some of those type chores too soon after surgery. Please don't get the impression you should be emptying the dishwasher, making beds or vacuuming the first weeks after surgery. That wouldn't be good but in time, all those things are fine for you to do once you have doctor's clearance.

There are lots of options suggested here for you and surely your medical team will find the best for you. This is something you do not need to worry about. IMO You'll do fine with alternatives.

 

[jds]

With access to a swimming pool, you can also "walk" or "run" in the deep end. Wear a life jacket and just walk or run in place while being held up by the jacket. No impact but a lot of the same aerobic benefit.

You can also swim or use flippers, of course.

Good luck -

John

 

[Jkm7]

With access to a swimming pool, you can also "walk" or "run" in the deep end. Wear a life jacket and just walk or run in place while being held up by the jacket. No impact but a lot of the same aerobic benefit.

You can also swim or use flippers, of course.

Good luck -

John

I was instructed to not get in a pool for some weeks after my first OHS until the wound was totally healed. I don't recall how long they told me and asked that question on the post surgery forum a few weeks ago. No one mentioned it to me when I left the hospital this time but I clearly remember that and I think the reason was risk of infection.
[/B]

 

[Bonzo Dog]

Static bikes give great aerobic exercise, also leg exercise. The upper body is neglected though. After OHS gentle upper body workout is a must. Swinging the arms while walking does just that. When unable to walk and reliant on a static bike it would be good to supplement some arm exercise with light weights.

The 65 year old Nana status should be no bar to exercise. I can still visualise the vigour with which an 82 year old by-pass patient, hurled a medicine ball in my first cardiac rehab class.

 

[Superbob]

Static bikes give great aerobic exercise, also leg exercise. The upper body is neglected though. After OHS gentle upper body workout is a must. Swinging the arms while walking does just that. When unable to walk and reliant on a static bike it would be good to supplement some arm exercise with light weights.

The 65 year old Nana status should be no bar to exercise. I can still visualise the vigour with which an 82 year old by-pass patient, hurled a medicine ball in my first cardiac rehab class.

I had a similar experience in cardiac rehab. I am in my mid-60s, and there was a guy 20 years my senior who was putting us all to shame. Cardiac rehab was great -- nurses can help get you into an exercise program. I do use an exercise bike in the basement (in addition to walking when my knee permits me) but as Bonzo says, you need to supplement with light weights. We had a program of light lifting in cardiac rehab too.

 

[jds]

Talk to your cardio about going into a pool

Talk to your cardio about going into a pool

Mine said it was OK when the incision was healed up - about a month. He said not to swim for 2-3 months since the swimming motion flexes and stresses the sternum.

But, talk to your surgeon or cardiologist. Water exercise (like just walking around or easy aquarobics) is gentle and feels good as soon as you can get into the pool.

John