Flatback

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I'm new to this group and very pleased that there is a place to ask questions

and get support!

I live in Ann Arbor, MI and am 69 years old .

In January of 2006 I had scoliosis surgery. I had a 60 degree curve that began

in 1992. I also had some torque or twisting (is that the word?) to the left and

was somewhat bent over.

I spent 2 years researching what to do . I read several books and all the

articles I could get my hands on and it became apparent that surgery was the

only course of action.

After meeting with several doctors, I decided to go with Glenn Minster in

Detroit.

He diagnosed me with scoliosis with spinal stenosis.

He recommended a posterior T10-S1 fusion and a laminectomy and

foraminotomy, L4 to S1.

Before the surgery he told me that he would be able to correct the curve and

the torque at least 50%. We did not discuss what he would do to address my

not standing up straight, but everything I have read says THE most important

goal in scoliosis surgery is to regain sagittal balance and I so assumed that

would mean correcting my pelvic tilt..

After the surgery I wore a brace for 5 months. Minster braces all his patients

and I'm not really sure why he does this.

I am satisfied with the decrease in the curve and the torque. However, one

year post surgery, and after 3 months of PT 3 times a week, I am not able to

stand up straight. It's better, and I can only stand straight if I bend my

knees,

standing and walking is quite tiring.

At my last appointment in October, I told Minster I was concerned and he

recomended hip extension exercises. I received a copy of the report and he

mentions we " discussed the possibilities of osteotomies if the condition does

not improve. " I was surprised because we NEVER discussed this.

I have read a bit about revision surgery and it sounds really risky.

Before even considering MORE surgery, I want to get another opinion about

this surgery and my question is: Since I already had a tilt before the

surgery,

could the pelvic tilt have been 100% corrected during surgery ? Did the

surgeon do everything he could have done to correct it ?

It would be so helpful to hear from anyone who shares this situation.

Phyllis Ponvert