To Cut or not to cut Part II

TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT -- PART II:  PREHAB/REHAB

PREHAB is a new word for me, although I prehabbed for a hip replacement over 10 years ago and a knee replacement over 6 years ago. It just seemed logical, and proved true for me, that being physically fit prior to surgery would result in quicker, more successful surgeries and faster recoveries.

I just recently discovered this word, Prehab, in an issue of GROWING BOLDER, an informative and inspirational new anti-aging magazine.

Dr. Robert Masson, Medical Director of the magazine, writes:
"It's a given that we'll all encounter physical setbacks as we age.  Prehabbing is the path to a faster and more extreme recovery, to active longevity--and it positions us to be able to say "yes" when the opportunity arises."

Because of fiery pain that stabbed me whenever I moved,  pre-surgery exercise was a real challenge. 
                                                                                               
The solution was to extricate our recumbent stationary bike from storage where it had remained since we moved from Boston a few years ago.  I had used it for exercise during the long New England winters and also for prehab and rehab during my hip and knee replacements.   

I could barely walk without pain, but I could pedal vigorously and develop a significant level of physical fitness.

Pedaling a bike is one of the best exercises for our bodies.  It is a totally healthful, even therapeutic, NON IMPACT exercise that increases cardiac circulation throughout the body.  The stationary bike is particularly good for the legs, where blood flow tends to slow and pool, especially as we age and move less. 

Pedaling provides outstanding heart and lung benefits and is considered to be an excellent heart disease preventative.

Have you noticed that stationary bikes are considered therapeutic exercise equipment and are found in Fitness and Physical Therapy settings and on the sidelines at football games?

Although stationary bike pedaling focuses on the large leg muscles, you can experience total body fitness by using stretch bands for the upper body.

We placed the stationary bike in our living room in front of the large flat screen TV and sound system.  We prefer a recumbent style because it is so user-friendly.  It is a healthy alternative to just sitting and vegetating in a chair. 

TIME IS ON YOUR SIDE
                              
The most frequent excuse for not exercising is "not enough time", but if you have the time to sit and watch TV, read newspapers, magazines, and books, check emails, facebook, file your nails, etc. you can do all this and more while pedaling a stationary bike. 

Multi-Tasking Activity Table

PREHAB

About 2 months before surgery, I began daily pedaling sessions with the goal of accumulating mileage to bike from our home in Vero Beach, Florida to Key West over 300 miles away.  I reached Key West and was halfway back to Miami on the morning of my surgery when I pedaled my final 5 PREHAB miles.

PHOTO OF FLORIDA MAP showing biking route to Keys and halfback... 

PREHAB INTO REHAB

Following surgery,  I continued to pedal to Miami where I headed West to Naples and then North up the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to the Orlando area where I pedaled East to return home to Vero Beach.  My recovery was significantly ahead of schedule and Dr. DiLella referred to me as his "superstar."

Photo of Map of entire route

I  continued my tour of Florida's Atlantic and Gulf coastlines by heading North on the Atlantic coast to Jacksonville where my simulated journey turned West across the expansive Florida Panhandle to Tallahassee and Pensacola. 

I then pedaled East and South along the Gulf to St. Petersburg and am now headed the East to return home to Vero Beach to complete a tour of Florida's coastlines. 

BIKING STATS:

Beginning in January of this year I have pedaled a total of  2.100  miles.  Each session has averaged a pace of 4 minutes per mile with varying resistance and intervals of intensity.

I am now addicted to daily pedaling and its super fitness benefits and plan to continue with my new habit with new destinations. 

CONCLUSIONS OF "TO CUT OR NOT TO CUT"
  
I feel profoundly blessed to be living at this time in history when modern medicine is able to provide extraordinary opportunities to extend the length and quality of our lives. 

The generations before me were not fortunate enough to benefit from the miracles of orthopedic surgical interventions which have dramatically enhanced the quality and extension of my life.

Although orthopedic surgery has become amazingly advanced with minimal invasion and even immediate recovery in some instances, most major surgeries take a year or more for a full recovery for most people.  

However, if you are properly PREHABBED and rehabbed, you will be able to resume normalcy much sooner.  I was back on the tennis courts within three months or less for all of my major surgeries, including my recent shoulder replacement.  

Many people who try "to get by" with a bad back, hip, knee or shoulder have had to give up their favorite sports or activities.   All four of my surgeries were necessary to continue playing tennis, hiking, biking and most recreational activities that make my life enjoyable. 

Yes, surgery is PAINFUL, GREATLY INCONVENIENT, COSTLY and DANGEROUS, but the alternative of delaying action often results in increasing pain and immobility.  Plus an injured body part adversely affects the movements of your total body as it compensates for the injured part and the ultimate result is neither pretty or happy. 

THE VALUE OF PHYSICAL THERAPY (PT)  

Many orthopedic issues can be resolved with Physical Therapy.   Treatment focusing on strengthening, stretching, massage and education can resolve many problems, especially if  X-rays do not reveal any significant structural damage.

I have already mentioned that, personally, PT exercises have prevented recommended surgeries for a hip (12 years) and a knee (7 years). 

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, when answering the question of  To Cut or Not To Cut? The essential question to yourself is about the QUALITY OF YOUR LIFE.

If the problem does not significantly subtract from your mobility and participating in and enjoying your favorite activities, you may choose to live with a minor problem, such as a "bum" non -dominant shoulder for example, and avoid the painful and costly inconvenience of surgical intervention. 

However, it would be advisable to first consult with a physician or physical therapist about the long-term effects of avoiding surgery. 

NO REGRETS

I have not regretted my 4 orthopedic surgeries, which have  "youthenized" me and promoted my "growing young" efforts.

And at the age of nearly 77, I'm so pleased to say that the last time I felt as fit and healthy as I feel now was nearly 20 years ago...and my surgeries have made a major difference!  

And although I don't like thinking about it right now,  I suspect that I will once, or twice, or even thrice again be faced with the choice of to cut or not to cut; and my decision will likely be:  CUT-AWAY! 

"Begin doing what you want to do now.  We are not living in eternity.  We have only this moment, sparkling like a star in our hand and melting like a snowflake." 

Francis Bacon