Question:
attention arthritis, sciatica sufferers

I have arthritis in my right hip, complicated by sciatica. I am 4 weeks post op and already see a difference, but I still have the limp and the sciatica still shoots down the leg. Have gone to a chiropractor to help with the sciatica but my concern is that I am not walking for any length of time without much pain and I feel like my legs are going to snap like toothpicks. I do swimming exercising in a 93 degree pool 3 times a week, but don't know if I should push walking right now or wait until more weight is off. With the arthritis, doesn't walking with all the weight on the joint make it worse?    — janice L. (posted on March 10, 2003)

March 9, 2003
Janice, I would recommend seeing an orthopedic doctor, specifically one that sub specializes in the Spine or maybe even Sports Medicine. They can probably set you up with a Physical Therapist who can work with you to make sure you are getting the right excercises that won't further damage the joints and will show you how to relieve some of the pain.
   — Chris B.

March 9, 2003
Hi Janice, have you had an MRI of your lower spine? I ruptured my spine in sept 10 had surgery in Dec 01 and as soon as I got out of bed the pain was gone. but the MRI did show I have degenerative disc disease. I have gone through almost 7 months of physical thearpy and I had 2 seperate cortizone epidurals in my lower spine, which GREATLY reduces the inflamation from the sciatia. Read my profile. good luck Im glad its getting better.
   — wizz46

March 11, 2003
Hi there, I know your pain... I have nasy sciatic pain too, as well as arthritis.... just want to say, the swimming is definitely a great exercise!! The water releives some of the arthritic pain, and the bouyancy is good for releiving pressure on the sciatic. As for you question about walking, I have always been told, if you are in acute pain, to rest the joint (swim, don't walk), but that if pain is not there, or just the average, liveable kind, to try the walking, because weight-bearing exercise is good for your joints. (another reason to walk if your able, is that weightbearing exercise also helps to ward of osteoporosis, which we are at added risk of after WLS.) For the pain, if you're not seeing releif, try another chiropractor, sometimes you have to shop around to find one that works for you. And of course, consult your doctor...that goes without saying.
   — Kelly B.