What are the best exercises for an elderly lady with a one year history of compressed fracture of lumbar vertebrae a compressed
A 70 years old lady with a one year history of compressed L1 vertebral fracture and osteoporosis with resulting kyphosis. she is on long term low dose steroids due to partially controlled rheumatoid arthritis. Osteoarthitis of the Rt hip and both knees are added problems. What are the best exercises to do without additional harm?
Hello,
assuming that a physician has consented to exercises and that a physical therapist has been consulted, I would suggest aquatic exercises. With her medical history, she is probably very de-conditioned. I would start just water walking.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
I agree with Karin and would also suggest yoga and pilates as possibilities. They are very low impact, but would provide the posture, stability and alignment focus she needs to start being more aware of. An aquatic exercise program would provide the cardiovascular aspect of a well rounded program.
Jocelyn Martin
www.beyourbestpersonaltraining.com
I help women and moms be fit and healthy through exercise and eating real food without spending hours in the kitchen or gym.
Can’t answer about strength inside without eval. or knowing pain but there are many!
Definitely water with thorough eval first. L1 means no deep water belt but maybe horse or noodle. If uncomfortable in deep I’d work in neck depth water. Slowly first. Then bring her shallower as time progressed for walking with more body weight if tolerable, and add aqua DB work for upper body strength (after hand progressions).
If my client I would prefer this than land pilates or yoga with her for the conditions mentioned. Similar ROM exercises can be done standing in shallow water and would help balance on land.
With steroids and osteoporosis I might see if she could start walking on TM slowly without pain.
Hello,
your profile does not indicate whether you live in the US or not; thus, I am not sure how easily you will be able to order products like DVDs or books.
If not, then I would check youtube for aquatic exercise videos. I saw some from livestrong.com which looked okay to me.
Else, there are excellent DVDs on www.aeawave.com, and you can also check amazon for books on aquatic exercise. Since your client is very de-conditioned, they need to be very entry level.
I personally would just have her walk in the pool initially, including walking backwards and sideways.
Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
