Re: UCSF-wondering if Dr. Hu is considered in the same category as Dr. Boachie?

December 31, 2006

Hi everyone and happy new year to all!

I certainly appreciate this group more than anyone will ever know and

never knew it existed before, certainly nice not to feel all alone.

, you especially seem to be very knowledgeable and helpful to so

many in this group, thank you very much. I was just wondering,

because I have heard so many wonderful things about Dr.Hu, does that

mean she is comparable to Dr. Boachie in New York? It's just that

UCSF is so much closer for me here in Las Vegas, but the bottom line

is I still need the very best revision surgeon I can get. Someone

that will maybe " smile " once in a while :-), that's why I liked Dr.

Boachie so much, very down to earth, very personable.

Thank you all again and I'm so glad to hear that is doing

much better, God bless her.

Oh, I almost forgot, one last question, has anyone ever heard that

there are two different ways of measuring a curve in the scoliosis on

the x-rays??? It's strange because in 2001 Dr. Shelokov said that my

curve measured somewhere around 150°, which I thought was COMPLETELY

OFF, because in 1973 they fused it with the Harrington rods to

approximately 78°. And it did remain stable for many years. When I

saw Dr. Boachie last year with new x-rays that the curve measured

about 68°, yet I am terribly, terribly much worse than I was when I

saw Shelokov. It's confusing. I Think That Shelokov straighten out

the lower part of my back which basically toppled over the top half.

I don't know, other than it screws with my mind :-).

>

> > Hello everyone,

> >

> > I have an appt with Dr Hu on 1/10/07. I am relatively new to the

> > group. I live in San Diego and I have seen Dr Garfin at UCSD.

After

> > reading the messages I thought it would be good to see Dr Hu.

> >

> > I am including my history and I have a few questions.

> >

> > I had scoliosis surgery with 2 harrington rods when I was 13. I am

> > now 44 and have started having lower back pain. It is also hard to

> > stand and walk for a long time. Dr Garfin recommended a discogram

to

> > determine the cause of the pain. He now recommends surgery to

remove

> > the rods since it is causing the pain. He feels that I will

probably

> > need flatback surgery sometime in the future. I work full time

and I

> > exercise with the Medex back machines.

> >

> > 1.Has anyone had the rods removed and had the pain go away ?

> >

> > 2.Who are some of the best surgeons in California for flatback. It

> > seems that UCSF is the best location. I have heard of a few

> > surgeons, - Dr Hu, Dr Bradford, Dr Berven etc. Is one of them more

> > experienced ?

> >

> > Thank you and Happy New Year!

> >

>

January 1, 2007

Hi ie...

There’s no rating system for surgeons, so all any of us can go by are results of those we’ve known. I can tell you that I’d let either Dr. Hu or Dr. Berven at UCSF operate on me (even if I had curves as bad as yours). If San Francisco is easier for you, then you’ll be in good hands at UCSF.

As to the difference in measurements that you’ve noted, there’s no way any of us can know what happened. Either Dr. Shelokov or Dr. Boachie were mistaken, or you are mistaken about what you heard. At this point, the actual measurements really aren’t of a lot of import, and you should hopefully have an accurate measurement if/when you have another appointment. Just be sure to write it down as one of the questions to be addressed.

Regards,

On 12/31/06 7:19 PM, " jstfrankie " <Jstie@...> wrote: