Hi,
I was given a corset to wear for walking and sitting after I had my discectomy. It is fine while sitting but I have a lot of problems wearing it when I walk. I used to wear one when I was younger, occasionally, when I had low back pain. However, after my body started tilting to the left the belts became a problem. No matter how high or low I put them, my body tilts to the left so when I walk my right hip moves me in the direction of the tilt. It is quite a powerful and uncomfortable feeling and rather than helping me sgraighten out, it makes walking awkward and difficult. This brings me to my point. Are there any people on here who did not waer a back brace or corset after theor discectomy?
Today I was feeling fairly bad and I think this is because I started tk walk too much too soon. I was doing about three thirty minute walks per day since last Tuesday and I think my body is now rwacring to that. I didn't do any of the things that they asked me to avoid (twisting, forward flexing etc - I turn in bed but the hospital staff told me it was OK to do that). The only culprit can be the walking.
I did phone the hospital and the doctor said I should try and take higs slow. He emphasised wearing the corset during walking and sitting. For sitting it is fine but I find it impossible to walk properly and confortably when I wear it. They didn:t give it to me for correcting posture. They gave it to me to restrict forward flexion and prevent shocks. However, my twisted body doesn t conform to it well when I walk so I wonder if there are people who have not worn them and turned out OK. It would be helpful if someone can comment. Thank you in advance.
Do what the doctor has told you and take things easier. 3 thirty minute walks in one day is a lot. Your body won't be used to being upright and straight - and that could be why the corset uncomfortable while you are walking - but I have never had to wear one. However the fcat that they have given you one to wear means they feel you need it - and your best option is to do as they say - or ask THEM about the problems you are having.
Each case is different - there is no 'one size fits all' answer'
Hi Yashanie,
They give the corsets to everyone wbo has a discectomy at my hospital. He makn discomfort os caused by my gait. One leg is lower so as I put weight on the lower leg, the right hip pushes me to the left (this os the direction I was tilting in before my op, and I still am, so the corset actually pushes me into an uncomfortable position). If my body was straight it would not have been a problem. I sometimes wore corsets during short bouts of back pain, but since I was straight they did not cause any disruption to the movement of my hips. I will discuss this with the hospital. They did say that the maon reason to wear it was to a oid forward flexion. It was not given for posture.
I want to ask you one thing though. How much did you walk in the first few weeks following your op, and how did you manage your rehab. I mean, I don't k kw why, I just can't get into the swing of things and find a rhythm kr rputone for these days.
Watch out for skin infections under the corset
Boils and the like can be quite common