Considering Surgery

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Thanks for your reply. Could you give me some information about your curve

progression and surgery.

Look forwards to hearing from you.

Ann

--

On Wed, 20 Mar 2002 10:27:34

Racine wrote:

>Hi Ann...

>

>I had just slightly larger curves when I had surgery at age 42. I had

>anterior and posterior surgeries performed on the same day. Feel free

>to ask questions.

>

>Regards,

>

>

2,000,000,000 Web Pages--you only need 1. Save time with My Lycos.

http://my.lycos.com

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon and welcome to the group,

I'm sorry I can't answer any of your questions as, like you, I haven't

had revision surgery yet, but hopefully some of our other members will

respond. There is a lot of good information contained in messages

posted on this site in the past that may be of interest to you; the

advanced search button makes it easy to search for past posts about

specific topics or by specific members that might interest you. I

wish you good luck with your appointment with Dr. Chewning and hope

you will let us know how it goes, as we are always interested to know

how much specific experience different doctors have with doing

flatback revision surgeries and what their outcomes have been.

I think that asking a lot of questions, as you are doing, is a good

way to make one feel more confident of picking the right doctor for

this very big surgery.

Do you know how long your current fusion is (at what spinal level it

starts and stops)? I am always on the lookout for anyone who was

originally fused to the sacrum as a teen like I was).

Best wishes to you,

loriann

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am a 52 year old woman who had scoliosis surgery in 1967. I

> currently have two Harrington Rods and definitely am suffering from

> Flatback Syndrome. I met with Dr. Bradford 13 years ago about

> this situation and was not comfortable with pursuing surgery. Since

> that time, my flatback syndrome symptoms have increasingly

> worsened. This includes warmth in my hips and degenerative neck

> issues. I am very fortunate to have gone through other avenues of

> therapy that has allowed me to build up muscle support and decrease

> my pain from consistent to periodic. I presently have an

> appointment to see Dr. Chewning in Statesville, NC to revisit

> the option of surgical intervention. I am considering have surgery

> where my two rods will be removed and my lower back will be

> realigned giving me an apporximate 30 degree curve, which is needed

> to have me stading straight. I have several concerns that are

> causing tremendous hesitation:

> 1. Is leg pain commonly increased due to this surgery?

> 2. What should I expect for the recovery period?

> 3. Are you familiar with the leg brace during recovery?

> 4. Will I be able to climb stairs? If so, when?

> 5. Will I be able to drive? If so, when?

> 6. How long will it be before I can focus long enough to work?

>

> Somehow I am seeing this as an elective surgery and am wanting to

> make sure I am making the best choice. I realize that realigning my

> lower back may help with my hips and neck issues, but I do not want

> to create more pain in my lower back and additional pain in my

> legs. I would love to hear from you about your own personal

> experiences and understanding of this type of surgery.

>

> Thank you so much for your insight and assitance in helping me make

> the best possible decision.

>

> Sharon

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon,

Welcome to Feisty! I hope we can be of help to you.

I understand your reluctance to have revision surgery. I put mine

off for as long as possible, then finally gave in and had it in

2003. For me there is good news and bad news regarding having had

the surgery, but overall I would definitely say it was worth it.

I had Harrington Rod surgery in the 1970's and did well until the

1990's. At that point I developed increasinly painful sciatica (pain

down my left leg and into my foot); numbing and weakness is my left

foot, the beginnings of flatback, and very bad referred pain in my

right ankle.

Even after I scheduled my surgery with Dr. Boachie I was still

hesitant, and I called him to postpone it. He told me I needed to do

it right away unless I wanted to " end up in a wheelchair. " That

scared me enough to see that the procedure wasn't elective - it was

in fact necessary.

I am now fused from T10 to S1. My sciatica, leg and foot pain and

weakness are gone, and I no longer have flatback. That's the good

news! The bad news is that I have chronic pain above my fusion

(between my shoulder blades and up into my neck) and below it (in my

tailbone). The pain is mostly tolerable if I take good care of

myself, which includes pursuing 2 hours of modified Pilates each

week (www.pilatesforfragilebacks.com); twice weekly cranio-sacral

massage therapy; and the liberal use of a heating pad, hot baths; a

memory-foam mattress (Bergad); and pain medications. I take about 3

Ultram a day and occasionally Percocet or Valium (a muscle relaxer).

I don't sit or walk for very long, and that helps, too.

I'm not sure I know the answers to your specific questions, but from

what I've read of other people's experiences, and from my own

experience, leg pain is not typically made worse by revision

surgery. Also, most people report that they can do most physical

activities, including climbing stairs - they just can't bend at the

waist and must instead bend from the hips.

Of course everyone is different when it comes to recovery. I've been

amazed at how quickly some people have recovered and resumed their

usual daily routine. I took my time, stayed on oral Morphine for 4

months or so and returned to work part-time after 9 months. But I'm

pretty sure I'm not the norm! My husband and I didn't need my

income, so I had the option to take a long time. As for driving, I

resumed driving within 2 months of my hospital discharge.

I hope other Feisty members will tell you about their own

experiences. We're all a little different.

I hope this has been helpful!

Regards,

Andy

Concord MA

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> I am a 52 year old woman who had scoliosis surgery in 1967. I

> currently have two Harrington Rods and definitely am suffering

from

> Flatback Syndrome. I met with Dr. Bradford 13 years ago

about

> this situation and was not comfortable with pursuing surgery.

Since

> that time, my flatback syndrome symptoms have increasingly

> worsened. This includes warmth in my hips and degenerative neck

> issues. I am very fortunate to have gone through other avenues of

> therapy that has allowed me to build up muscle support and

decrease

> my pain from consistent to periodic. I presently have an

> appointment to see Dr. Chewning in Statesville, NC to

revisit

> the option of surgical intervention. I am considering have

surgery

> where my two rods will be removed and my lower back will be

> realigned giving me an apporximate 30 degree curve, which is

needed

> to have me stading straight.

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Loriann,

It has been a long time since my initial surgery and I have forgotten

alot of the details. If my memory serves me correctly, my fusion is

from T7 to L4 (most of my spine). However, I have little to no movement

in the last few vertabra due to authoritic and ruptured disks. I have

2 rods in my back because I had a " S " curve, and I have been told that

the hardware will need to be removed at some point. That was not what I

wanted to hear, because I do not believe in fixing something that isn't

broken.

Loriann, I am sorry to say that I do not know anyone who has had fusion

to the sacrum. If I meet someone during this journey, I will be happy

to request his/her email address so that you can correspond. I am sure

your case presents it's own unique problems, and you would love to be

able to talk with someone that can share in your experiences.

Thank you for your support and interest!

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I am a 52 year old woman who had scoliosis surgery in 1967. I

> > currently have two Harrington Rods and definitely am suffering from

> > Flatback Syndrome. I met with Dr. Bradford 13 years ago about

> > this situation and was not comfortable with pursuing surgery. Since

> > that time, my flatback syndrome symptoms have increasingly

> > worsened. This includes warmth in my hips and degenerative neck

> > issues. I am very fortunate to have gone through other avenues of

> > therapy that has allowed me to build up muscle support and decrease

> > my pain from consistent to periodic. I presently have an

> > appointment to see Dr. Chewning in Statesville, NC to revisit

> > the option of surgical intervention. I am considering have surgery

> > where my two rods will be removed and my lower back will be

> > realigned giving me an apporximate 30 degree curve, which is needed

> > to have me stading straight. I have several concerns that are

> > causing tremendous hesitation:

> > 1. Is leg pain commonly increased due to this surgery?

> > 2. What should I expect for the recovery period?

> > 3. Are you familiar with the leg brace during recovery?

> > 4. Will I be able to climb stairs? If so, when?

> > 5. Will I be able to drive? If so, when?

> > 6. How long will it be before I can focus long enough to work?

> >

> > Somehow I am seeing this as an elective surgery and am wanting to

> > make sure I am making the best choice. I realize that realigning my

> > lower back may help with my hips and neck issues, but I do not want

> > to create more pain in my lower back and additional pain in my

> > legs. I would love to hear from you about your own personal

> > experiences and understanding of this type of surgery.

> >

> > Thank you so much for your insight and assitance in helping me make

> > the best possible decision.

> >

> > Sharon

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Dear Andy,

Thank you so much for your response. I haven't ever talked about my

surgery with such openness.

> >

> > Hi Everyone,

> >

> > I am a 52 year old woman who had scoliosis surgery in 1967. I

> > currently have two Harrington Rods and definitely am suffering

> from

> > Flatback Syndrome. I met with Dr. Bradford 13 years ago

> about

> > this situation and was not comfortable with pursuing surgery.

> Since

> > that time, my flatback syndrome symptoms have increasingly

> > worsened. This includes warmth in my hips and degenerative neck

> > issues. I am very fortunate to have gone through other avenues of

> > therapy that has allowed me to build up muscle support and

> decrease

> > my pain from consistent to periodic. I presently have an

> > appointment to see Dr. Chewning in Statesville, NC to

> revisit

> > the option of surgical intervention. I am considering have

> surgery

> > where my two rods will be removed and my lower back will be

> > realigned giving me an apporximate 30 degree curve, which is

> needed

> > to have me stading straight.

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

I am fused T2-S1 since 2001. I'm under the impression the hardware may never need removing. My original Harirngton rods were removed with the 2001 surgery, otherwise would have remained in place til death did we part. (Speaking of which, won't our coffins looks bizarre when we finally do decompose and all this hardware is left. Sorry, a morbid thought). If anyone needs thoughts on a sacral fusion, I am more than willing to talk about it.

Donna

Dear Loriann,It has been a long time since my initial surgery and I have forgottenalot of the details. If my memory serves me correctly, my fusion isfrom T7 to L4 (most of my spine). However, I have little to no movementin the last few vertabra due to authoritic and ruptured disks. I have2 rods in my back because I had a "S" curve, and I have been told thatthe hardware will need to be removed at some point. That was not what Iwanted to hear, because I do not believe in fixing something that isn'tbroken.Loriann, I am sorry to say that I do not know anyone who has had fusionto the sacrum. If I meet someone during this journey, I will be happyto request his/her email address so that you can correspond. I am sureyour case presents it's own unique problems, and you would love to beable to talk with someone that can share in your experiences.Thank you for your support and interest!> >> > Hi Everyone,> >> > I am a 52 year old woman who had scoliosis surgery in 1967. I> > currently have two Harrington Rods and definitely am suffering from> > Flatback Syndrome. I met with Dr. Bradford 13 years ago about> > this

situation and was not comfortable with pursuing surgery. Since> > that time, my flatback syndrome symptoms have increasingly> > worsened. This includes warmth in my hips and degenerative neck> > issues. I am very fortunate to have gone through other avenues of> > therapy that has allowed me to build up muscle support and decrease> > my pain from consistent to periodic. I presently have an> > appointment to see Dr. Chewning in Statesville, NC to revisit> > the option of surgical intervention. I am considering have surgery> > where my two rods will be removed and my lower back will be> > realigned giving me an apporximate 30 degree curve, which is needed> > to have me stading straight. I have several concerns that are> > causing tremendous hesitation:> > 1. Is leg pain commonly increased due to this surgery?> > 2. What should I expect for

the recovery period?> > 3. Are you familiar with the leg brace during recovery?> > 4. Will I be able to climb stairs? If so, when?> > 5. Will I be able to drive? If so, when?> > 6. How long will it be before I can focus long enough to work?> >> > Somehow I am seeing this as an elective surgery and am wanting to> > make sure I am making the best choice. I realize that realigning my> > lower back may help with my hips and neck issues, but I do not want> > to create more pain in my lower back and additional pain in my> > legs. I would love to hear from you about your own personal> > experiences and understanding of this type of surgery.> >> > Thank you so much for your insight and assitance in helping me make> > the best possible decision.> >> > Sharon>

>>

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon and thanks for your reply. I have two Harrington Rods

installed for an S curve also. I agree that they aren't broke, but

they are sure are defective. Or poorly designed or outdated or

problematic, or whatever one wants to call them (I remember a massage

therapist I encountered at my workplace who said ominously about

Harrington Rods, " those things are BAAAAD...... " ), and I hope I will

be really glad when I get rid of mine.

I have run into one or two people who were fused to the sacrum with

Harrington Rods as teens, but would love to hear from anyone else like

that you may encounter, thanks!

I am so grateful for this group and all the members who so willingly

share their thoughts and experiences. I find everyone's story to be

uniquely interesting. Wishing everyone here a good night,

loriann

>

>

> Dear Loriann,

>

> It has been a long time since my initial surgery and I have forgotten

> alot of the details. If my memory serves me correctly, my fusion is

> from T7 to L4 (most of my spine). However, I have little to no movement

> in the last few vertabra due to authoritic and ruptured disks. I have

> 2 rods in my back because I had a " S " curve, and I have been told that

> the hardware will need to be removed at some point. That was not what I

> wanted to hear, because I do not believe in fixing something that isn't

> broken.

>

> Loriann, I am sorry to say that I do not know anyone who has had fusion

> to the sacrum. If I meet someone during this journey, I will be happy

> to request his/her email address so that you can correspond. I am sure

> your case presents it's own unique problems, and you would love to be

> able to talk with someone that can share in your experiences.

>

> Thank you for your support and interest!

[Guest guest]

Hi Donna,

So you are about five years post-revision, now. If you have time, it

would be great if you could send us a post about how you are doing.

All the best to you,

loriann

>

> Sharon,

>

> I am fused T2-S1 since 2001. I'm under the impression the hardware

may never need removing. My original Harirngton rods were removed with

the 2001 surgery, otherwise would have remained in place til death did

we part. (Speaking of which, won't our coffins looks bizarre when we

finally do decompose and all this hardware is left. Sorry, a morbid

thought). If anyone needs thoughts on a sacral fusion, I am more than

willing to talk about it.

>

> Donna

[Guest guest]

Hi Sharon, Looks like you and I could be in the same area! In my case, I did not have leg pain.But I did have a full Revision.Wore full body cast for 6 months.Then,I still wore it in the car ,for two more months.I, also went to visit Dr. Bradford,but he had just retired,or was having surgery himself,so I saw Dr. Bervin. My surgery was March,2005.with Dr. Lagrone in Texas. Doing fine now. No pain. Stopped all pain meds after one month.Can't ask for more than that! I am also 67 yrs old. If you would like more details ,just E-mail me privately or call. I know how scarey this is. Would be glad to share my experience. Eileensharon_w_white <sharon_w_white@...> wrote: Hi Everyone,I am a 52 year old woman who had scoliosis surgery in 1967. I currently have two Harrington Rods and definitely am suffering from Flatback Syndrome. I met with Dr. Bradford 13 years ago about this situation and was not comfortable with pursuing surgery. Since that time, my flatback syndrome symptoms have increasingly worsened. This includes warmth in my hips and degenerative neck issues. I am very fortunate to have gone through other avenues of therapy that has allowed me to build up muscle support and decrease my pain from consistent to periodic. I presently have an appointment to see Dr. Chewning in Statesville, NC to revisit the option of surgical intervention. I am considering have surgery where my two rods will be removed and my lower back will be

realigned giving me an apporximate 30 degree curve, which is needed to have me stading straight. I have several concerns that are causing tremendous hesitation:1. Is leg pain commonly increased due to this surgery?2. What should I expect for the recovery period?3. Are you familiar with the leg brace during recovery?4. Will I be able to climb stairs? If so, when?5. Will I be able to drive? If so, when?6. How long will it be before I can focus long enough to work?Somehow I am seeing this as an elective surgery and am wanting to make sure I am making the best choice. I realize that realigning my lower back may help with my hips and neck issues, but I do not want to create more pain in my lower back and additional pain in my legs. I would love to hear from you about your own personal experiences and understanding of this type of surgery. Thank you so much for your insight and assitance in helping me make

the best possible decision. Sharon

Cheap Talk? Check out Messenger's low PC-to-Phone call rates.

[Guest guest]

Hi Eileen,

I'm so glad to hear you are doing well! I'm hoping to have my revision

with Dr. LaGrone sometime next year. I just have to get my act

together and figure out all the logistics. They seem almost

insurmountable, but I know if I just start by making a list of things

to do and start chipping away at it, eventually I'll build confidence

for picking a surgery timeframe. It really helps to hear from you and

all the other courageous people who have been through it!

All the best to you,

loriann

In , eileen foti

<gardengirl6789@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Sharon, Looks like you and I could be in the same area! In my

case, I did not have leg pain.But I did have a full Revision.Wore full

body cast for 6 months.Then,I still wore it in the car ,for two more

months.I, also went to visit Dr. Bradford,but he had just retired,or

was having surgery himself,so I saw Dr. Bervin. My surgery was

March,2005.with Dr. Lagrone in Texas. Doing fine now. No pain. Stopped

all pain meds after one month.Can't ask for more than that! I am also

67 yrs old. If you would like more details ,just E-mail me privately

or call. I know how scarey this is. Would be glad to share my

experience. Eileen

[Guest guest]

-

Hello Group,

My husband and I met with Dr. Moreno's PA last week and

sometime in the new year I will be having revision surgery. If not

for the miracle of finding this group that wouldnt be happening.

I live and have lived a very restricted life for a long time. I am

57 years old. My flatback syndrome began to manifest itself

immediately following my third spine surgery in July 2000. My

surgeon was one of the top neurosurgeons in the country and this

still happened to me. I was fused from t9-l5 in 1994. In 1996 I

had broken rods removed. I did my homework and looked for someone

who was supposed to know what he was doing. I have learned from you

how important it is to find a dr skilled in treating flatback

syndrome.

My adult son is recuperating from a major surgery and that is why I

am waiting on the surgery until next year. I am very bent over. It

is shocking how quickly this happened to me and how it just keeps

getting worse. I use a significant amount of oral morphine to

manage the pain. I had a morphine pump in 1999 and it created more

problems than it solved and was removed 6 months later. I experience

pain in my back, legs, knees and left hip.

I want to hear anything anyone can share about their experience with

revision surgery down to the last detail. My last spine surgery was

a dreadful experience. The pain I experienced following that

surgery was so great and I was so sick that I swore I would never

have another. Yet here I am. Hope does spring eternal.

Isnt it said that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single

step. It is easier when you know you arent alone. I will keep you

posted and hope to hear your stories.

Sincerely,

RoseMarie

-- In , " loriann262000 "

<lcmelko@...> wrote:

>

> Hi Eileen,

>

> I'm so glad to hear you are doing well! I'm hoping to have my

revision

> with Dr. LaGrone sometime next year. I just have to get my act

> together and figure out all the logistics. They seem almost

> insurmountable, but I know if I just start by making a list of

things

> to do and start chipping away at it, eventually I'll build

confidence

> for picking a surgery timeframe. It really helps to hear from you

and

> all the other courageous people who have been through it!

>

> All the best to you,

>

> loriann

>

>

> In , eileen foti

> <gardengirl6789@> wrote:

> >

> > Hi Sharon, Looks like you and I could be in the same area! In my

> case, I did not have leg pain.But I did have a full Revision.Wore

full

> body cast for 6 months.Then,I still wore it in the car ,for two

more

> months.I, also went to visit Dr. Bradford,but he had just

retired,or

> was having surgery himself,so I saw Dr. Bervin. My surgery was

> March,2005.with Dr. Lagrone in Texas. Doing fine now. No pain.

Stopped

> all pain meds after one month.Can't ask for more than that! I am

also

> 67 yrs old. If you would like more details ,just E-mail me

privately

> or call. I know how scarey this is. Would be glad to share my

> experience. Eileen

>

[Guest guest]

Hi RoseMarie,

I'm sorry to hear that your flatback symptoms are getting worse and

hope that the new year and a new surgery will bring you some pain

relief. Please keep us posted as your plans firm up, and I hope that

things are better for you son, as well,

loriann

> > >

> > > Hi Sharon, Looks like you and I could be in the same area! In my

> > case, I did not have leg pain.But I did have a full Revision.Wore

> full

> > body cast for 6 months.Then,I still wore it in the car ,for two

> more

> > months.I, also went to visit Dr. Bradford,but he had just

> retired,or

> > was having surgery himself,so I saw Dr. Bervin. My surgery was

> > March,2005.with Dr. Lagrone in Texas. Doing fine now. No pain.

> Stopped

> > all pain meds after one month.Can't ask for more than that! I am

> also

> > 67 yrs old. If you would like more details ,just E-mail me

> privately

> > or call. I know how scarey this is. Would be glad to share my

> > experience. Eileen

> >

>

[Guest guest]

Hi, I am new to this group and I was just wondering if anyone has had

complications from a " moderate curve " , as opposed to one over 50 degrees. I am

22 years old and was diagnosed with scoliosis at 16, with a 30 degree curve. I

didn't start feeling back pain until I was 18 or 19, and since then the curve

has progressed to about 40 degrees. I have been bouncing back and forth between

doctors and orthopedic surgeons for the last few years, listening to them tell

me that scoliosis isn't painful (Though countless xrays, MRIs, and bone scans

have ruled out other sources of pain, and 2 rounds of PT have been useless) I

think I have finally found a doctor who is taking me seriously and I am going to

ask him about possibly surgeries. Even though my curve is only 40 degrees, it

has progressed and the discomfort keeps getting worse. In the past when I have

asked doctors for surgeries they have scoffed at me and basically called my

request ridiculous. I guess I don't know what surgeries to ask about, or if it's

even worth it with such a small curve. Everyone I know with scoliosis has either

a very low or very high curve, and I seem to be right in the middle.

Thanks for any help you can give me!

[Guest guest]

Hi and welcome!

I know my Dr. who in my opinion was a great surgeon, wouldn't even see pt's

unless the curve was over 40 or 50 degrees.

I have had surgery and did so when I was 15...I'm now 28. I just started having

pain, which is the first time ever. Even before my surgery, when my curve was

at its worse, I never had pain.

Scoliosis itself may not be painful but when things are all crooked with your

back it throws your whole body off. So it may not be your spine itself but

other things that won't show up on any scans.

I can't say whether the surgery would be worth it or not. But I know its not

fun to go through. My Dr. just recently told me that with my curve I should

always expect some pain. So maybe going to see a pain management place would be

better if you get no where with the dr.s'

Good luck...if you have any questions feel free to ask.

Lara

>

> Hi, I am new to this group and I was just wondering if anyone has had

complications from a " moderate curve " , as opposed to one over 50 degrees. I am

22 years old and was diagnosed with scoliosis at 16, with a 30 degree curve. I

didn't start feeling back pain until I was 18 or 19, and since then the curve

has progressed to about 40 degrees. I have been bouncing back and forth between

doctors and orthopedic surgeons for the last few years, listening to them tell

me that scoliosis isn't painful (Though countless xrays, MRIs, and bone scans

have ruled out other sources of pain, and 2 rounds of PT have been useless) I

think I have finally found a doctor who is taking me seriously and I am going to

ask him about possibly surgeries. Even though my curve is only 40 degrees, it

has progressed and the discomfort keeps getting worse. In the past when I have

asked doctors for surgeries they have scoffed at me and basically called my

request ridiculous. I guess I don't know what surgeries to ask about, or if it's

even worth it with such a small curve. Everyone I know with scoliosis has either

a very low or very high curve, and I seem to be right in the middle.

> Thanks for any help you can give me!

>