AAI surgery

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/1/2004 9:58:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,

ccurran1@... writes:

> Several months ago, following a routine screening for a theraputic

> horseback riding program, we discovered that had AAI. A previous xray

at age

> 3 didn't indicate this problem.

Hi Connie,

I am so sorry that has to go through another surgery. I often

wondered if a one time xray was all that was needed to detect this problem. I

certainly know that I am going to have this repeated for Zeb. I actually don't

know

anyone that has had this surgery.

Charlyne

Mom to Zeb 11 DS/OCD

[Guest guest]

Hello,

Several months ago, following a routine screening for a theraputic horseback

riding program, we discovered that had AAI. A previous xray at age 3

didn't indicate this problem. The orthopedist sent us for an MRI and the

results indicated that would indeed need a spinal fusion. After all

the procedures he had last summer... the nissen fundoplication, pyloroplasty and

an endoscopy to remove a wood chip that my mulch loving child ingested...I can't

believe that he has to go through this! I just had no idea that this would

" pop " out of nowhere and now I am glad we had him screened for the riding

program. Anyway, the orthopedist and neurosurgeon will do the surgery on April

7th. I can't imagine what recovery will be like. Anyone been through this? I

can't imagine trying to immobilize him.

Thanks

Connie

Single mom to (10), Austin(8), (8) DS/ASD, and (8)

[Guest guest]

Oh, Connie. I am so sorry. How many mm was ? Did they give

you any alternatives? Is it a rush sort of thing, testing today,

surgery in a few weeks? Did they find he already had mild nerve damage?

I haven't been through it, yet. My 13 year old just had xrays to

participate in Special Olympics. He also has it. He's 8mm. The

neurosurgeon is on the fence, so refered us to the ortho specialist.

Which is where we stand, or sit, waiting for an appt. I think we're

still in denial hoping the ortho will tell us that he just needs to

limit his activites. You probably know where I'm coming from?

You have triplets? Oh, my. You are a very busy woman. Not

withstanding the special attention Micheal needs.

Well, I have a friend who has ms that had similar surgery. She said it

takes a long time to recover. SHe is about 50.

Anyone else have any experience?

AAI surgery

Hello,

Several months ago, following a routine screening for a

theraputic horseback riding program, we discovered that had AAI.

A previous xray at age 3 didn't indicate this problem. The orthopedist

sent us for an MRI and the results indicated that would indeed

need a spinal fusion. After all the procedures he had last summer...

the nissen fundoplication, pyloroplasty and an endoscopy to remove a

wood chip that my mulch loving child ingested...I can't believe that he

has to go through this! I just had no idea that this would " pop " out of

nowhere and now I am glad we had him screened for the riding program.

Anyway, the orthopedist and neurosurgeon will do the surgery on April

7th. I can't imagine what recovery will be like. Anyone been through

this? I can't imagine trying to immobilize him.

Thanks

Connie

Single mom to (10), Austin(8), (8) DS/ASD, and

(8)

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/1/2004 9:59:38 PM Eastern Standard Time,

ccurran1@... writes:

Anyway, the orthopedist and neurosurgeon will do the surgery on April 7th.

I can't imagine what recovery will be like. Anyone been through this?

Oh boy....so sorry Connie. I had a spinal fusion 5 years ago. I don't

know if it's the same thing. I had a ruptured disc in my neck, between C6 and

C7 and had to have emergency spinal fusion surgery. They fused a cadaver

bone where the disc was (they also take bone from the hip for this, but since I

was so healthy otherwise, they used the cadaver one...no fear of

rejection....now they mostly use synthetic pieces) I had to wear neck braces

for 4 months

afterwards.....soft ones for driving and sleeping, and a hard one if I was

going to be up for more than 15 minutes. I FELT fine, so it was really just a

nuisance. Naturally, I had to have help in caring for Maddie (I have four

older than her too), but my hubby's and my family are all local and were very

helpful. And my dh had to take a lot of time off from work...but he's an

entreprenaur with his own business, so he was able to do it.

Connie, I think you should join the DS listserv. I am sure there are

numerous parents there whose children had this type surgery. They'll be able

to

give you more details.

Good luck dear!!!!

Donna

[Guest guest]

measures in excess of 9mm. The orthoped said that it is down right

dangerous if it isn't fixed. He did the fusion on an 11 year old girl with

DS who had fallen and suffered paralysis. They were able to reverse most of

the damage. I think that if it isn't too bad, they may be able to limit

activities, but as I understand it, at 's degree of sublaxation, a

fender bender, a slip and fall, etc. could cause serious neurological

damage. There is the possibility some he could have had some damage because

the C1 is right on the cord. With as many times as has had

anesthesia, 15-20 times, we are really wondering about his regressions, etc.

After the nissen this summer, he had a very hard time walking and still

drags his foot some. We assumed that it was due to his very, very low tone.

But now I wonder. There was not a big rush mainly because I think it is

hard to schedule the neurosurgeon and the orthopedist at the same time.

I've been told to be VERY careful until then.

Yes I have triplet boys and my oldest son is just 20 months older. It's a

real zoo. attends a charter school for autistic children because he

really needs the intensity there, a class of six with a teacher and two

aides. I don't worry about 'inclusion' because we have so much peer

interaction at home.

I hope maybe 's AAI can be treated more conservatively. I enjoyed

living in denial while we were awaiting the results of the MRI. " Denial " is

a wonderful place to visit from time to time as long as you recogize it :-)

Connie

Single mom to (10), Austin(8), DS/ASD(8), and (8).

----- Original Message -----

> Oh, Connie. I am so sorry. How many mm was ? Did they give

> you any alternatives? Is it a rush sort of thing, testing today,

> surgery in a few weeks? Did they find he already had mild nerve damage?

>

> >

> You have triplets? Oh, my. You are a very busy woman. Not

> withstanding the special attention Micheal needs.

>

[Guest guest]

----- Original Message -----

is a superb fish!

Joan,

You know my first question to the doc was whether there would be any

restriction on swimming. (Answer: no diving!) Take away anything but the

pool.

Connie

[Guest guest]

so, he should be able to swim after the surgery?

patrick is a fish as well. That's why we went for teh xray. He wanted

to be on teh special oly swim team. They dive off the starts.

Re: AAI surgery

----- Original Message -----

is a superb fish!

Joan,

You know my first question to the doc was whether there would be

any

restriction on swimming. (Answer: no diving!) Take away

anything but the

pool.

Connie

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[Guest guest]

Good luck, and my prayers are with you Connie. Let us know how it went when

you can.

Gail :-)

Hi all,

will be having his AAI surgery tomorrow morning. They'll be grafting

a bone from his pelvis and fusing the c1, c2 and c3. They'll be using wire

rods and a plate. There are two orthopedic surgeons and a neurosurgeon. I am

very nervous about this, of course, but I am glad that the waiting is over.

I'm not sure how we'll survive the recovery period because he'll either

have a collar or halo on for several months. I'll post again when we are back

home and let you know how it goes.

Connie

Single Mom to (10), Austin(8), DS-ASD(8) and (8).

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 4/6/2004 5:14:39 PM Eastern Standard Time,

ccurran1@... writes:

will be having his AAI surgery tomorrow morning. They'll be grafting

a bone from his pelvis and fusing the c1, c2 and c3. They'll be using wire

rods and a plate. There are two orthopedic surgeons and a neurosurgeon. I am

very nervous about this, of course, but I am glad that the waiting is over.

I'm not sure how we'll survive the recovery period because he'll either

have a collar or halo on for several months. I'll post again when we are back

home and let you know how it goes.

Good luck Connie. I don't know if it's similar to what I had done (spinal

fusion), but I do know it's scary when you think about what they have to do.

Keep us posted, and know that we are praying it goes well and QUICK, for MOM

too!!!

{{{{hugs}}}}}

Donna

[Guest guest]

many prayers from us too!! also for a speedy recovery.

shawna

AAI surgery

Hi all,

will be having his AAI surgery tomorrow morning. They'll be

grafting a bone from his pelvis and fusing the c1, c2 and c3. They'll be using

wire rods and a plate. There are two orthopedic surgeons and a neurosurgeon. I

am very nervous about this, of course, but I am glad that the waiting is over.

I'm not sure how we'll survive the recovery period because he'll either have

a collar or halo on for several months. I'll post again when we are back home

and let you know how it goes.

Connie

Single Mom to (10), Austin(8), DS-ASD(8) and (8).