Re: Lower back fusion

[Guest guest]

I had my initial lumbar fusion to correct the leaning tower of Pisa issue, but I

was still a teenager and I wasn't in pain yet -- I ended up having a revision 6

years later because it didn't straighten enough of my spine. (they only fused

L3-S1) so I'd ask if they think the fusion will be long enough to correct the

issues.

Good luck - and work on stretching those hamstrings whenever the pain isn't too

bad!

Carolyn

Lower back fusion

I am a 44 year old female and I had scoliosis surgery when I was 12

in 1973. The procedure was done in the Hospital for Special Surgery

NYC by Dr. B. Levine. My fusion is from T2 to T6 (I believe)

My curves are 21, 68 and 27 degrees. I am now having terribel lower

back pain and pain into both of my hips that make it hard to walk.

One of my vertebre in my lower back is protruding out from the

others in the L3/4 a " Lean Tower of Pisa " effect. I went for a

consutlation with Dr. Gelb of the University of land (I

live in MD now) and he suggested fusion surgery in my lower spine.

The surgery would be a 12 hour surgery and he would have to go in

anteriorally and posterially. I want to get an opinon from Dr.

McAfee of St. Joes but I cannot get an appointment with him till I

go through one of his associates. I've been taking Naprosin, Mobic

and Darvaset - but I'm still in pain. Anyone have similar surgery -

good results?

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

I think many of us on this board would urge you be sure to see a

doctor who is very familiar with scoliosis revision surgery. I live

in NoVa and have been to s Hopkins to see Dr. Kostuik who was

doing some of the research on revisions but he retired. Dr. Kebaish is

taking his patients. I haven't been to him yet. Has anyone else? I

think there also is a doctor in Potomac who also studied under

Kostuik. I see his name mentioned on this board from time to time. I

haven't seen him yet. I have seen Dr. Lauerman at town twice

and he seems very knowledgeable. You might check the database of

doctors on this board. You'll start to recognize the names of the

highly regarded doctors by reading a bit here and some searching

online. Seems that it comes down to skill, location, insurance and

comfort with the doctor. Good luck. Let us know if you find someone

else who is good with revision surgery.

Annette in Arlington

Harrington Luque 1983

[Guest guest]

Thank you. I also heard of Dr. Lauerman at town.

_____

From: aecleckner [mailto:annette.cleckner@...]

Sent: Monday, December 13, 2004 8:56 AM

Subject: Re: Lower back fusion

I think many of us on this board would urge you be sure to see a

doctor who is very familiar with scoliosis revision surgery. I live

in NoVa and have been to s Hopkins to see Dr. Kostuik who was

doing some of the research on revisions but he retired. Dr. Kebaish is

taking his patients. I haven't been to him yet. Has anyone else? I

think there also is a doctor in Potomac who also studied under

Kostuik. I see his name mentioned on this board from time to time. I

haven't seen him yet. I have seen Dr. Lauerman at town twice

and he seems very knowledgeable. You might check the database of

doctors on this board. You'll start to recognize the names of the

highly regarded doctors by reading a bit here and some searching

online. Seems that it comes down to skill, location, insurance and

comfort with the doctor. Good luck. Let us know if you find someone

else who is good with revision surgery.

Annette in Arlington

Harrington Luque 1983

Support for scoliosis-surgery veterans with Harrington Rod Malalignment

Syndrome. Not medical advice. Group does not control ads or endorse any

advertised products.

[Guest guest]

Annette, I'm glad you said this. It always bears repeating when

newcomers mention picking a surgeon. Most of us at this board have

needed revisions that simply could not have been done adeptly by just

anyone in the SRS. Especially when flatback syndrome is at issue, it

is essential to consult a surgeon -- and preferably more than one --

with years of experience in correcting this type of deformity.

As you note, ames that tend to pop up here include the old guard

(Kostuik, Bradford, others), and the highly experienced newer

generation of flatback revision subspecialists (Rand, Ondra, Boachie,

Hu, et al.)

At least a few years ago, some of us found that scoliosis surgeons in

general were eager to revise us, thereby gaining needed experience. I

personally saw at least two SRS surgeons who wanted to do my flatback

revision after performing only 5 previous flatback revisions apiece

(with uncertain and in several cases horrible results).

Some insurance professionals (both in the private sector and in

government) also need to be developing much better practice

guidelines and more appropriate referrals for people with complex

iatrogenic spinal problems added to previously operated scoliosis.

>

> I think many of us on this board would urge you be sure to see a

> doctor who is very familiar with scoliosis revision surgery. I live

> in NoVa and have been to s Hopkins to see Dr. Kostuik who was

> doing some of the research on revisions but he retired. Dr. Kebaish

is

> taking his patients. I haven't been to him yet. Has anyone else?

I

> think there also is a doctor in Potomac who also studied under

> Kostuik. I see his name mentioned on this board from time to

time. I

> haven't seen him yet. I have seen Dr. Lauerman at town twice

> and he seems very knowledgeable. You might check the database of

> doctors on this board. You'll start to recognize the names of the

> highly regarded doctors by reading a bit here and some searching

> online. Seems that it comes down to skill, location, insurance and

> comfort with the doctor. Good luck. Let us know if you find someone

> else who is good with revision surgery.

>

> Annette in Arlington

> Harrington Luque 1983