New from Oregon

[Guest guest]

Hello all. Is there anybody else here from the NW? I have been

reading as many posts as I can in the last few weeks because of

increasing pain. I have an appt. with Dr. Keenen on Oct.

25th which I have been waiting for since early September. My GP, in

the meantime, insisted I see a neurologist he could get me into

quickly because he was so

concerned after seeing my x-rays he had ordered. He knew I had my

spine fused but had never actually seen the x-rays. Well, I had my

last appt. with the neurologist today who, after CT scan, CT

myelogram, MRI,flexion and extension x-rays (pretty much a joke since

I'm fused from T-7 to S-1),says he doesn't think my pain (between

shoulder blades, neck, lower back, hips and sciatic down left leg has

anything to do with my scoliosis!! I'm pretty sure my GP wanted to

pass the responsibility on to someone else as quickly as possible and

didn't want me waiting for my appt. with Dr. Keenen. What I was

wondering is if anyone has ever heard of Dr. Keenen or any other Dr.s

here in the NW that have done revision surgeries. Dr. Keenen is

with the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, North American

Spine Socity and Scoliosis Research Society.

I had my surgery at the age of 15 at Shriner's Hospital here in

Portland, Oregon in 1977. I had 1 Harringon rod to correct a 45

degree lumbar curve from T-7 to the base of L-4. In 1988 I had

extreme sciatic pain on the left and without even thinking about

further researching it allowed a surgeon (who I cannot find now) to

remove the Harrington Rod, continue fusion to S1 and put in pedicle

screws. Well, all has been good until the last 12 to 18 months so I

guess I can't complain.

If anybody has any advise regarding surgeons, questions to ask at my

appt., etc.. I would very much appreciate it. I'm sure I'll be here

quite frequently from now on.

Sorry this post is so long. Thank you in advance to anyone who has

read this far.

Tami