Val's questions

[Guest guest]

Val,

I think I understood from a different post that the statements you

are referencing are from Minas articles?

I guess when I put them up there I forgot that most of us hadn't a

clue who she was. In fact, I don't know who she is...except that as

I understand it, she was kind of the " grandmother of flatback " . By

that I mean, I understood her to be a patient and a non-medical

person who did her best to illuminate and understand this condition,

and spread the word, before it was generally understood or even

acknowledged in the medical/ortho community. (I happen to think

she " nailed " the scoliosis overcompensation syndrome exactly...but

that was my take on it.)

All that is to say, I don't know what her cites are for her

statements she made and would say that they should be used solely

as a basis of discussion with your doctor, or for a point of

starting your own research in the published, peer reviewed articles

available to you.

I am sure others might have a different take on the likliness of

developing flatback after revision, but I think Mina was trying to

say that if balance is not restored during revision, flatback can

recur. Basically this is what Ca is undergoing right now. Her

first revision failed to address that problem and she was fused to

the sacrum and it pretty much made a bad situation worse. I believe

Mina was trying to encourage readers to be sure their surgeon had

the " skill set " to accomplish this task. It seems there are still

plenty of surgeons who on paper look good and are willing to " give

it a go " ....but if they don't get your balanced correctly...you are

doomed.

Not trying to scare you...I have seen Joanne with my own eyes and

you haven't got worries on that account!

Based on my converstations with DrRand, I don't think they really

have a handle on who or why some people have post-op pain that never

goes away and why that is. I am sure DrGlazer and you have discussed

the possiblities?

My anterior surgery was in the lumbar area only...no lung issues

whatsoever. DrRand did not remove any of the old hardware so there

was no need to get up in the thoracic area and he was able to

reestablish lordosis in the L4-L5 with one osteotomy.

I hope this sets your mind at ease....do not make yourself frantic!

Take Care, Cam