Re: Risks of Scoliosis Surgery

[Guest guest]

At 04:37 PM 10/03/2004 +0100, Desert Rose wrote:

>I had my rods 6 months ago, and I found this information today which makes

>me feel ,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!

>Would anybody tell me how to avoid this drama, I already had my share from

>5 surgeries

>Thanks

>Heba

>

>Risks of Scoliosis Surgery In the months and years following surgery,

>there is the possibility of dislodged hooks; disc degeneration resulting

>in back and leg pain; and pseudoarthrosis, when a fusion doesn't heal

>properly and a false joint develops at that site.

Where did you read this?

Unfortunately, I had a dislodged screw (not hook), disc degeneration (I

think anyone over 40 is prone to this nowdays), and 2 different fusions

that didn't heal properly.

I've had 5 operations, and I feel just like you. But I was told that only

2% of spinal fusions have problems. But since there is no way of tracking

us, how can anyone tell us that?

I was sent a survey from Dr. Hu's office in San Francisco, but it was one

of those A, B, or C things, didn't really cover that the problems I've had

since the surgeries there.

However, I have been requesting copies of the surgical notes, and copying

them and sending them to each doctor I've been to in the last decade.

At least that way, they can see what " happened " to me down the road.

I wish there was a nationwide way of tracking us, but until we get National

Health Care, I guess it's impossible, since everyone moves around so much

and has different health plans with different jobs.

Maybe they do a better job in Great Britain and Canada?

in Oakland

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[Guest guest]

Hi Nutty,

Thank you for your reply. Here is where I found the information about the after

surgery risk

http://www.theuniversityhospital.com/scoliosis/html/scoliosistreatment/surgical.\

htm

Thanks

Heba

Nutty

<nutty@...> wrote:

Hola Heba

May I ask where you read that? Just so I could and have a look, I am sure that

is something that is a warning with having spine surgery, please do not worry, I

am sure there are many members here that can put your mind at rest when it comes

to fusion, I have had my hardware for 15 years and my spine fused great, just

make sure you have your follow up appointments with your doctor so he can keep

checking on your progress and of course don't forget the all important word

Possibility, so please don't freak yourself out.

Take care and best wishes

Nutty

Risks of Scoliosis Surgery

I had my rods 6 months ago, and I found this information today which makes me

feel ,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!

Would anybody tell me how to avoid this drama, I already had my share from 5

surgeries

Thanks

Heba

Risks of Scoliosis Surgery In the months and years following surgery, there is

the possibility of dislodged hooks; disc degeneration resulting in back and leg

pain; and pseudoarthrosis, when a fusion doesn't heal properly and a false joint

develops at that site.

---------------------------------

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[Guest guest]

I would like to respond to the following from a reader

at this group:

I had my rods 6 months ago, and I found this

information today which

makes me feel ,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!

Would anybody tell me how to avoid this drama, I

already had my share

from 5 surgeries

Thanks

there is the possibility of dislodged hooks; disc

degeneration

resulting in back and leg pain; and pseudoarthrosis,

when a fusion doesn't heal

properly and a false joint develops at that

Heba

Risks of Scoliosis Surgery In the months and years

following surgery, site.

Heba, please don't worry about these statistical

events. Yes, all of these things are possible, but

doctors would not continue to operate if the " drama "

was a routine effect of the surgery!

Possibly the most common problem -- omitted from the

list of problems you quote -- is related to earlier

surgeries with distraction (Harrington and modified

Harrington) instrumentation. " Iatrogenic flatback

syndrome, " also referred to as " HARMS, " " fixed

sagittal balance, " or some other diagnostic name. This

is the loss of lordosis and hunched-over posture that

people develop from coronal-plane correction with

inattention to the sagittal plane. Mine was so severe

that I eventually carried my torso at a 90-degree

angle to the ground and needed a walker for support.

But it is usually NOT a danger to people operated on

after around 1990 who redeived more sophisticated and

improved types of hardware.

At our online support group for people with problems

from from spinal fusion --

. -- I

occasionally hear from someone who is worried and

anxious over the information she finds at our site or

in our posts. I always feel regretful when this

happens, sometimes even leading a member to

unsubscribe. We need to remember that each of us is an

individual with a unique medical situation. Adverse

events do happen, but there is no guaranteee that you

will be one of the unfortunate people to experience

one ofr these problems.

By the time I got to my first revision surgery (I have

had six -- and eight scoliosis surgeries total), I was

told that the rate of major and minor complications

for the surgery was fairly high at 30 percent. I

picked the best revision surgeons I could find and

resolved to take the risk for the sake of a better

future. As things turned out, I did have an occasional

complication, but each time, this was adeptly handled

and reversed by a capable surgeon.

Best,

Rasche

[Guest guest]

,

Are you doing better now since you have had all of those surgeries?

I had revision surgery last September and on Friday I am going in to

schedule a surgery to revise the revision or what ever they are

doing, I will find out more on Friday. What I really want to know

is, do I keep having surgeries with the hopes of a better outcome or

do I just quit while I might be ahead? I have had four surgeries

this far and i'm really not looking forward to doing this again.

>

> I would like to respond to the following from a reader

> at this group:

> I had my rods 6 months ago, and I found this

> information today which

> makes me feel ,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!

>

> Would anybody tell me how to avoid this drama, I

> already had my share

> from 5 surgeries

> Thanks

> there is the possibility of dislodged hooks; disc

> degeneration

> resulting in back and leg pain; and pseudoarthrosis,

> when a fusion doesn't heal

> properly and a false joint develops at that

> Heba

>

> Risks of Scoliosis Surgery In the months and years

> following surgery, site.

>

> Heba, please don't worry about these statistical

> events. Yes, all of these things are possible, but

> doctors would not continue to operate if the " drama "

> was a routine effect of the surgery!

>

> Possibly the most common problem -- omitted from the

> list of problems you quote -- is related to earlier

> surgeries with distraction (Harrington and modified

> Harrington) instrumentation. " Iatrogenic flatback

> syndrome, " also referred to as " HARMS, " " fixed

> sagittal balance, " or some other diagnostic name. This

> is the loss of lordosis and hunched-over posture that

> people develop from coronal-plane correction with

> inattention to the sagittal plane. Mine was so severe

> that I eventually carried my torso at a 90-degree

> angle to the ground and needed a walker for support.

> But it is usually NOT a danger to people operated on

> after around 1990 who redeived more sophisticated and

> improved types of hardware.

>

> At our online support group for people with problems

> from from spinal fusion --

> . -- I

> occasionally hear from someone who is worried and

> anxious over the information she finds at our site or

> in our posts. I always feel regretful when this

> happens, sometimes even leading a member to

> unsubscribe. We need to remember that each of us is an

> individual with a unique medical situation. Adverse

> events do happen, but there is no guaranteee that you

> will be one of the unfortunate people to experience

> one ofr these problems.

>

> By the time I got to my first revision surgery (I have

> had six -- and eight scoliosis surgeries total), I was

> told that the rate of major and minor complications

> for the surgery was fairly high at 30 percent. I

> picked the best revision surgeons I could find and

> resolved to take the risk for the sake of a better

> future. As things turned out, I did have an occasional

> complication, but each time, this was adeptly handled

> and reversed by a capable surgeon.

>

> Best,

> Rasche

[Guest guest]

Firs of all I apologise to all group members for using the expression " Drama " in

a previous message, I shouldn't do that and I'm sure you'll understand.

Thanks to every1 replied to my message, I do appreciate.

said; I had a dislodged screw.

I have been requesting copies of the surgical notes, and copying

them and sending them to each doctor I've been to in the last decade

Did you have any infection, I have been told a screw dislodge for infection

reasons only.

Copies of surgical notes is a very good Idea, I think I'll do the same.

Kindest Regards & Take Care

Heba

NB <wrdtech@...> wrote:

At 04:37 PM 10/03/2004 +0100, Desert Rose wrote:

>I had my rods 6 months ago, and I found this information today which makes

>me feel ,,,,,,,,!!!!!!!!!!!

>Would anybody tell me how to avoid this drama, I already had my share from

>5 surgeries

>Thanks

>Heba

>

>Risks of Scoliosis Surgery In the months and years following surgery,

>there is the possibility of dislodged hooks; disc degeneration resulting

>in back and leg pain; and pseudoarthrosis, when a fusion doesn't heal

>properly and a false joint develops at that site.

Where did you read this?

Unfortunately, I had a dislodged screw (not hook), disc degeneration (I

think anyone over 40 is prone to this nowdays), and 2 different fusions

that didn't heal properly.

I've had 5 operations, and I feel just like you. But I was told that only

2% of spinal fusions have problems. But since there is no way of tracking

us, how can anyone tell us that?

I was sent a survey from Dr. Hu's office in San Francisco, but it was one

of those A, B, or C things, didn't really cover that the problems I've had

since the surgeries there.

However, I have been requesting copies of the surgical notes, and copying

them and sending them to each doctor I've been to in the last decade.

At least that way, they can see what " happened " to me down the road.

I wish there was a nationwide way of tracking us, but until we get National

Health Care, I guess it's impossible, since everyone moves around so much

and has different health plans with different jobs.

Maybe they do a better job in Great Britain and Canada?

in Oakland

>---------------------------------

> ALL-NEW Messenger - all new features - even more fun!

>

>