10 replies to this topic

[Sticks82]

8th August 2007, I was involved in a helicopter crash and was left with incomplete paralysis from T8. As time has gone on I am delighted and feel very fortunate to say that I can now walk with two sticks.

When I say walk what actually happens is I can move the left leg well but simply drag the right foot dur to fatigue.

I am 28 years old and have recently found myself thinking that I am probably causing myself some pretty bad damage in the region of my knees.

I know I am increadibly lucky and should just be happy to be able to stand up but I wondered if someone (a bit older than me) could tell me of their experience.

Thank you

[Lucydog]

it is more likely that your wrists, elbows and shoulders will really start to suffer. Wrists are particulalry prone to damage, they are a samll joint doing a lot. If you are putting a lot of weight on them, you will damage them irrepairably. Once you get arthritis in your wrists, you wont get rid of it, and surgery options are limited. You might want to consider using a chair for longer days out and stuff. Just an idea.

[dangerousdave]

Gotta agree with Lucy
Nobody likes being in a chair - but to do your self harm now will only mean you'll waste your crutch time later on
I loved my crutch time untile it became chair time, and I'm glad I didn't over do it

[cathie]

My physio was worried about damage to my knees, hips, lumbar/lower thoracic spine, and wrists. But, it depends on how well your gait is and how much weight you put through your sticks. I drag both legs and already have arthritis at my injury site (c7) and also t11-l4 12 years post injury, was walking unaided until 4 years ago, but also have a family history of spinal/knee arthritis. Everyone is different. Keeping your weight in a healthy range is important as it will put less pressure through your joints. Oh and I am younger than you are (24). Just my experience.

Edited to add now in chair most of the time due to decreasing mobility from arthritis (bone spurs putting pressure on spinal cord)

Edited by cathie, 06 July 2010 - 02:20 PM.

[Sticks82]

Lucydog, on 06 July 2010 - 01:59 PM, said:

it is more likely that your wrists, elbows and shoulders will really start to suffer. Wrists are particulalry prone to damage, they are a samll joint doing a lot. If you are putting a lot of weight on them, you will damage them irrepairably. Once you get arthritis in your wrists, you wont get rid of it, and surgery options are limited. You might want to consider using a chair for longer days out and stuff. Just an idea.

How long were you able to walk with Sticks before you finally said its time to get in the chair.

[Tinbasher]

Hi Sticks

I walked almost exclusively for about the first 5 years using one KAFO and one OFO then two AFOs but realised that what was doing was simply shrinking my world down to size that I could walk in. I was also getting worried that my gait was putting incredible stress on my knees, I was locking them by forcing them back if you can visualise it. Finally they would just swell up as if they were injured which as have no sensation they clearly were.

About this time I began a job and took a pragmatic descision to use a chair to lessen the amount of walking but kept up my walking at home.

Fast forward 20 years and I still wheel about 75% and walk 25% but my wrists and shoulders are a wreck, the strain of walking has caused most of the damage.

Looking back I see I was trying to be "normal" what ever that is, walking was a way of persuading myself that I had somehow overcome my injury. In reality when I chose to use a chair for distances or long days at work my life just expanded to be as full and rewarding as anyone else. I value the little ability I have to stand and walk but I very nearly lost it by overuse. Striking a balance is hard however and is a very individual choice.

Tom

[slyd]

Heyyyyy . . . u all worry too much
I can still walk with 2 walking sticks after 14 years of "stick-walkin'" and only use my chair on occasion.
In '96 I started with 1 stick, and after my op in 2004, had to use 2 sticks. I've been thru all the knee-locking, and hip swingin', and am overweight and, I have'nt had a joint problem yet (touch wood).
Just my 5 cents worth (+GST = 6 cents)
Use wot u got while u can . . I think . .
"peace" dudes and doilies
ps I'm 48 yrs old/young* (* delete that which is not applicable)

Edited by slyd, 06 July 2010 - 04:24 PM.

[Tetracyclone]

I also creep along with sticks, the left leg being the one that is most often dragged through the process. Yes, I am putting strain on the knee, a knee that had problems even before The Injury. I know it is important to do weight bearing exercise if possible, so I continue but as therapy only. I use my chair to get places. I am seeing a specialist in postural integrity and the work is improving my gait very much, but I can do no more than before: i just do it better with less weight on my arms.

I think you should listen to warning about abusing joints too much, but also realize that most of us, SCI or AB, wear out eventually. Key to health is good circulation, so I save energy every day to use the stationary bike, which is the only exercise I can do that is a real workout.

[Lucydog]

me? I gave it a year before I realised that I actually achieved very little by walking apart from damaging my hands and being soooooo slow that we never got anywhere as a family. I suffer quite a lot with elbows and wrists now and wonder if I did damage when I should have been more sensible and less vain.

[JimG]

Sticks82, on 06 July 2010 - 01:29 PM, said:

8th August 2007, I was involved in a helicopter crash and was left with incomplete paralysis from T8. As time has gone on I am delighted and feel very fortunate to say that I can now walk with two sticks.

When I say walk what actually happens is I can move the left leg well but simply drag the right foot dur to fatigue.

I am 28 years old and have recently found myself thinking that I am probably causing myself some pretty bad damage in the region of my knees.

I know I am increadibly lucky and should just be happy to be able to stand up but I wondered if someone (a bit older than me) could tell me of their experience.

Thank you

Do I understand correctly that you're NOW starting to be able to walk with crutches?

As in you're gaining strength/mobility?

If so.....

Keep using them whenever you can, but like the others have stated.....don't feel bad using the chair when you have to.

I use crutches for short distances......a walker in the house to get up from couch, toilet in/out of the shower (I have severe drop feet) and a wheelchair for everything else.

I don't want to stop the crutches and walker, b/c I have hope of getting back much, if not most of my function in time (so I'm told), and the exercise is good for me.

But, I have the same issues with my knees getting sore, my hands cramping up/going numb at night, and more importantly.....the risk of falling occasionally (couple of times/month).

I'm 49 y/o, and my injury and slow descent into paralysis started in Dec. 2006.

I've been using the crutches/wheelchair since March/April 2009 just prior to my last surgery at T6.

[JaneC]

I was injured 3 years ago ( age 56 )and left hospital able to walk short distances on crutches with a chair the rest of the time. I can get around the house on crutches for which I am very grateful, but like everyone else has said it is very inefficient and very tiring so that I get worn out doing simple things. I can manage stairs with 2 rails but am beginning to realise that I will need a bungalow in the not too distant future.

I also think there is a huge difference in how I walk when I am thinking about my walking ( in the gym it is not too bad ) but when I am talking, doing other things, trying to carry something and not drop it etc my walking gets really awful because I am concentrating on other things. I am also starting to get knee problems on my worst leg and know that as I get older this will probably get worse, and other joints will also suffer.