[pianotech] Laminotomy and getting back to work

[Zoe Sandell]

May your recovery be swift!  My husband swears by Tai Chi.   He healed a
severely herniated disc this way.  

Regards
Zoe


-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Rob McCall
Sent: January 11, 2010 12:45 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Laminotomy and getting back to work

Thanks, Phil,

I can hopefully put my projects and clients off for 6-8 weeks on the heavy
stuff. I'll just have to play it by ear... or back. :-)

I just found out my neighbor had a similar surgery about a decade ago, went
full tilt too early, and ended up back on the operating table to fix the
re-herniation he created.

I have lots of reading and education to get caught up on (along with taxes!)
so I'm hoping to make my downtime as productive as possible. 6-8 weeks is
not much time in the long run.

Thanks again for your insight.  It's most helpful.

Regards,

Rob McCall
McCall Piano Service, LLC
Murrieta, CA

rob at mccallpiano.com
www.mccallpiano.com
951-698-1875



On Jan 10, 2010, at 17:14 , phil at emvkeys.ca wrote:

> Rob
> 
> I underwent L5 laminectomy/discotomy in '87. I can tell you the lower back
pain I had suffered with for over 10 years and the excrusciating sciatica
was obviously gone the moment I came to following surgery. Pain was till
absent after the anesthesia had worn off. I now have limited lower back
motion, but nothing like being fused. I was working in heavy construction at
the time and returned to light duties after 6 weeks. At one point, obviously
too early in my recovery, I foolishly tried some heavier lifting and ended
up on my back for a week again. I wasn't tuning at the time but I don't
think it would be a problem during recovery. Carrying heavy tool cases, lots
of stairs, lifting or pushing a piano would have been out of the question
though.. 23 years later I still regularly move and play a Hammond console
with Leslie cabinet and PA system as well as move my own pianos with proper
equipment and help.
> 
> Based on my own experience, I'd suggest laying low for the recommended 6-8
weeks.
> 
> best wishes for full recovery.
> 
> Phil