Re: Dr Boachie/Revision Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

First of all you are not being a pest and I don't mind answering your

questions.

By the time I had my first surgery my thoracic curve was 78 degrees and my

lower curve was 64 degrees. I got a 45 and 38 degree correction. I was fused

from T4 to L4. What happens was I was getting pain after about a year where

the top of the rods protruded towards my shoulder blade. The doctor felt

because I am very thin that may be the hardware was too big for me but was

confident that the fusion was good. So he went in and cut off the top four

inches of the rod. Instantly the pain was gone but after about 3 months the

top

fusion fractured or failed. What happen then was I had a kyphosis which is a

bending forward with the rod sticking out the middle of my back. Not a

pretty sight. I think my thoracic curve went back to about 80 degrees. They

think also that I might not have been fused high enough and when the top part

of

the bar was removed it put pressure on the fusion and it fractured along with

not being fused through the front.

I never really had a bulging in my waste. Thoraplasty is when they go in

through the front and they remove a rib and shave done the rest of the ribs

thus getting rid of a lot of that rib hump. When they do this they can then

totally remove the discs and fuse from the front and the back. Believe it or

not the scarring from this (being cut from the middle of your back to under

your breast is barely noticible. He used staples for this incision. At first

I

was upset because it looked like a train track but in time it really faded

nicely. Because of being cut 3 times on my back and there they used stitches,

I do have a noticeable scar. I hope this all helps and doesn't scare you.

Please don't worry about bothering me. I only wished I had known about this

board when I was going through this. I felt like such a freak because no one

I knew even knew about scoliosis. Most people think " oh scoliosis, isn't

that when you curve a little bit " . It was such a scary time in my life. I

still get nervous and worry that some where down the line something may go

wrong. But knock on wood, since Boachie has operated on me, I've been fine.

Go

with the best the first time around and hopefully you won't have to go through

what some of us had to.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

So sorry to hear that you have had 4 back surgeries already. I agree

hopefully this will be your last. Dr. Boachie got my top curve back from 80

degrees to 45 degrees. Remember my bottom curve stayed the same from the first

surgery. I think 42 degrees.

I was 37 at the time of my first surgery, 39 for the second and 40 for the

revision surgery with Dr. Boachie.

Like you I am petite (5'1 " and 97 lbs.). so as far as the hardware goes that

is what the first surgeon said when I was getting the pain. That it was

probably too large for my frame. Yet I am sure Dr. B used the same hardware

and

I don't feel it this time.

As far as pain goes, I never was in a lot of pain. I was just deformed

looking and uncomfortable. I think I have a very high tolerance for pain. I

would say my biggest problem since the surgeries is the tightness in my neck

and

shoulders. The back of my neck kills me and laying down is worst. I have

tried all kinds of pillows but I must wake up every hour. I was never a great

sleeper. I've been told by the Dr.'s & P.T it is because the muscles have

been cut so many times and they are very weak. This muscle holds up your head

so it is straining to do so. But if this is the worst that happens I can

deal with it.

Are you in pain? You seem to be able to travel and work which is great?

Have a good trip. Keep in touch.

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Kathy,

Excuse me for budding in on your conversation with , but you bring up an

interesting point....neck pain. I have it off and on, but it's on now and

killing me. Like you, I've tried many kinds of pillows to no avail. I've found

that just a log type under my neck helps. I can't have anything touching my

skull or shoulders because it hurts. That may be my fibromyaliga element, not

scoliosis. The log type I use is one of those tube socks filled with rice.

If I heat it before lying down I'm in heaven or get up during the night and

heat it. Now even that isn " t helping. I need to go back to my massage gal, I

guess and have her work on my neck or my myofacial release guy...but my

appointment isn't for several weeks. Anyone out there reading have something

that helps

you when your neck is killing you?????

Jolene

[Guest guest]

Hi Jolene,

You may butt in on my conversation anytime and I am so glad you did. If you

see the time of this e-mail it is because I cannot sleep. The pain is from

the base of the skull down the neck. Like two tight cords running down. No

matter what I do it keeps waking me up. I am getting so use to functioning on

a couple of hours of sleep that it is ridiculous.

It is funny I had a facial on Friday (my kids & hubby gave it to me for

Valentine's Day). As she was massaging my face she also did the neck area and

shoulders. She turned to me and said, " I've been doing this for 20 years and I

have never felt such a tight neck in my life. " I am really thinking of

getting a prescription again for PT. I am going to try that neck roll that

you

heat up. Where did you get something like that?

Kathy

[Guest guest]

Jolene,

I saw a wonderful neurologist in Boston just today for my neck, which has

been " killing " me. She explained all the reasons those of us with scoliosis

would have this pain and there really are a lot of reasons. Most of all is to

treat it symptomatically. I am not a doctor and I am not prescribing

anything, as I am sure you know. Anyway, a soft collar during worst pain is

good,

but do not use it all the time or it can inhibit the ability of your muscles

to hold up your head. Sit back often and rest your head back on a couch, a

wall, etc. to give it a break. Then the idea of the roll or bolster pillow is

good for people who cannot wear a collar for sleeping at night. I cannot

because I have to wear a big mask, etc., etc. The collar first and the bolster

shaped pillow are to help keep the neck in the " neutral " position during

sleep. I am going to begin P.T. again, just for the neck, also. So, that's my

$.02 (gee, where's the cent sign anymore?). I just hope it will help

someone.

Carole M. (the elder)