[pianotech] Laminotomy and getting back to work

[Jim Busby]

Rob,

Ditto what Phil said - lay low! Follow doctors advice.  Also, from a person who's had many surgeries, be wary of the pain killers. I use them as little as possible, trying not to become dependent.  I speak from experience. I won't even take an aspirin w/o questioning whether I really need it. I've found that with the exception of the immediate days after surgery, and some nights when I absolutely couldn't bare the pain (It's hard to sleep anyway) I found it better to deal with the pain than the effects of some of the drugs. My opinion only!

Good luck!

Jim Busby


From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of phil at emvkeys.ca
Sent: Sunday, January 10, 2010 6:14 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Laminotomy and getting back to work

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



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