spinal fusion surgery

[Guest guest]

...

In general, teens have a much easier time of surgery than adults. I've

known teens who were back to school is 4-6 weeks. I've also known some

who have experienced very slow recoveries. I think your best bet would

be to talk to other teens and their parents in your area. The surgeon

should be willing to supply you with the names and phone numbers of some

patients. (If s/he won't give you the information, please find another

surgeon.) Also, you may have a scoliosis support group in the area

where you can network. You can find a list of support groups at:

http://www.ai.mit.edu/extra/scoliosis/support.html. So many elements of

the surgical process are specific to the doctor and hospital. Talk to

at least 3-4 people in your area, so you know you're getting a balanced

view of the process.

You should also try to prepare yourself. Believe me when I tell you

that it will be difficult for you. Seeing your child in pain will be

very hard. Be sure to talk to other parents in your area about their

experiences.

Good luck!

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Betty wrote: " Anyone has done the spinal fusion surgery for more than 10 years?

I

heard people definitely feel improvement after the surgery. But the

scoliosis curve may still progressed after the surgery. So I am very

interested to know how you feel now and if you would opt for the

surgery with all the knowledge you have about the effect of the

surgery. "

Betty, I'm 30+ yrs postop. My surgery, at age 11, had me feeling good about 20

yrs until a car accident put me in constant pain. My curve was very severe 83*

(reduced to 52*) & I could tell the differences almost immediately. Granted,

back then we had to be in the hospital flat in the bed for 30 days until we were

fitted w/a cast which we wore for a year. I went home & played w/my friends,

rode my bike, & after the cast was off...did everything except contact sports &

things where I might fall (like horseback riding). My curve was so severe prior

to surgery I was in constant pain & it was affecting my breathing-neither of

those caused me any probs following the surgery. I was also 4 " taller after my

time on the operaing table.

My surgeon followed me for 20 yrs postop. My curve did NOT progress one iota ( &

still hasn't). I led an extremely active life prior to the MVA & probably still

would, but it did more damage than could be repaired. Maybe in the

future, science will have progressed to the point that something more can be

done for my degerative discs (they're in & below my fusion). I went to school

w/several girls whose curves weren't as severe as mine; although they had the

surgery w/harrington rod implantation, none of their curves have changed +/-

either.

I vividly remember life before the scoli surgery: the taunting, the pain, the

brace. I also vividly remember the surgery (like getting hit by a truck), its

lengthy recuperation, restrictions for a year while I wore the cast in school

(more taunting). Yet, as bad as it was I would do it all over again. Yes, there

were range of motion limitations, but I was used to them...I still managed to

win dance competitions, swim, hike & do almost anything I wanted to do. My

breathing was improved because my curve had been compromising my lungs.

One of my favorite things to do is research. I didn't know my other

scoliosis sufferers in school weren't interested in scoli research, but I later

found that out (their curves are stable, as well).  I research anything, not

just scoli, because I love learning new things. There is lots of information out

there: good & bad. The best thing for anyone beginning is to use the nonprofits

such as the scoliosis foundation, natl inst of scoliosis, etc. Once you know

what has actually been done & proven, then you can research alternative

therapies & anecdotal evidence. Many ppl who offer scoliosis help thru exercise,

nutrition, etc, are simply snake oil salesmen. While their methods might not

outright hurt u (altho they can because they delay proper treatment), they

usually only amount to 'feel good' methods that one can get from proper

nutrition/exercise without shelling out $$$ for treatments that won't

permanently affect the curvature.

~Moonbeam

[Guest guest]

Hi Betty,

Sure...I will answer your questions the best I can.

1. I had my surgery June 22, 1995 and I was back to work (just a

little bit) the end of August. When I first came home, I had a

wheelchair and a hospital bed because I could hardly move. I had to

take a pillow everywhere...including school when I went back. I was in

the hospital 8 days. I grew 2 inches during the surgery. :)It's a long

recovery but every day, after the initial month or so, you really do

see improvement every day. And of course, the technology is SO MUCH

better now than it was when I had my surgery so that makes all the

difference.

2. Yes, I do still feel some pain now and then. In Nov. 1996, they had

to go back in and cut the top of my harrington rods off because they

were pinching a nerve in my arm. I still feel a rod touching my

shoulder blade here and there...especially when I sleep sometimes.

But, it's not that bad. It's just something that you learn to live

with and you know that that's you. It just feels weird, not so much pain.

3. My curves (I had an " S " curve) went from around 80+ degrees to now

the top curve is at 46. The bottom is in the 30's. Well worth it!

I am having problems now with my L4-S1 vertebrae. That is below my

fusion. I am fused to L3. That is curving now and has progressed

greatly in the past couple of years. It is at 25 degrees. So, can

complications occur in the future...sure, but it is rare. I'm just a

rare case. That is where I have all of my pain now. But, I know a

couple other people that had the same surgery that have no problems

now. It's just a freak instance of problems with me.

I would absolutely do it over again if I had to. I would still be

terrified but I would do it. I had to. And like I said, the technology

is so good now that it wouldn't be like when I had it, I'm sure.

Hope this helps! Good luck!

>

> ,

>

> Thanks for the reply. Do you mind answer 3 other questions:

>

> 1). How long was your recovery from surgery?

> 2). Do you still feel any pain now?

> 3). How was your scoliois curve changed from before the surgery to

> after the surgery to now?

>

> Betty

[Guest guest]

That is true.......but it normally happens above or below the Fusion Level.

However, some changes are natural, within normal limits after a Fusion.

But, there are also cases where the Fusion can weaken and cause the

Curve to worsen.

I think I would still have the Spinal Fusion now, if that were the case,

some other Surgeries, no, I wouldn't have had them. But the Spinal

Fusions, probably yes.

Brande

mymocha@...

But the

> scoliosis curve may still progressed after the surgery. So I am very

> interested to know how you feel now and if you would opt for the

> surgery with all the knowledge you have about the effect of the

> surgery.

>

>