Curves requiring surgery in 1982

[Guest guest]

Hi all. I apologize for double-posting. I just went back to the surgeon who did my orig. fusion & Harrington rods to get copies of my "before & after" Xrays. I was told that they only keep them for 5 yrs after which they are routinely destroyed. They did, however give me a copy of all the office notes & operative reports. I cannot remember at what degree of curvature most docs ROUTINELY used fusion & rods to obtain "correction" in the early 80's. Mine was done in 1982. The reason I am asking is that there is over a 20 degree discrepancy between what the doctor told me & my parents, and what the record indicates. He TOLD us that I had an 80-something degree thoracic curve. (I'm thinking upper 80s as Mom remembers somewhere near 90) He quit mentioning the lumbar curve at about 40 degrees. My records all show that my thoracic curve was only 60 degrees & my lumbar approx. 30. Of course, there is no way I can prove that he told us that, but Mom & I were discussing it on the way home. He had also taken my mother out of my earshot & told her that my ribs would crush or puncture "vital organs" if I didn't have this surgery at that time. This doctor is a real jerk anyway, so this finding is very upsetting to me. I know there isn't anything I can do about it now, but I'd just like to know what was supposed to be standard treatment back then. I will never understand why he lied to us though.

With Blessings & Love,

Carla Kay

~ Ps. 96:1 O come let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.