Pre-surgery xrays...

[Nitram]

Hey everyone, I'm new to this board and have surgery scheduled in a few weeks. In case anyone wants to see some pre surgery x-rays, I'll attach one of mine here...I have most of them so if anyone wants other views I'll be glad to attach them. I'm told my lumbar curve is about 65 degrees, thoracic about 40 degrees. I'll be fused from T-10 to pelvis.

[sheri66]

Welcome Nitram,I sent you a reply to your message let me know if you got it.Wow you have a big curve.
Sheri

[Nitram]

Hi Sherri, just responded to your PM. It will be interesting to see what kind of correction they can get...my curve is apparently very stiff from the bone spurs I guess that have grown on the inside of the curve. The crazy thing is, I have no pain....no real issues at all. That makes doing this a bit tough to swallow...but everything I have read indicates its the right thing to do now before I get any older (I'm 41 now).

[jrnyc]

Hi Nitram
Welcome to the forum! it is a wonderful place for sharing information, experiences, & support!

i read your post with interest..... i have a 40 degree thoracic & 61 degree lumbar curve, with rotation, spinal stenosis, degenerative disc disease, arthritis, listhesis...

BUT...difference is...i have extreme pain...all the time...i am so amazed (and glad for you) that you do not! lumbar area is really bad...the thoracic is treated with botox shots to freeze muscles so they cant spasm..and it works well...i get the shots from nyc pain doctor every 3-4 months...we tried, but they didnt work for lower back! i get other injections in lower back, but they dont work as well for killing the pain....

i am supposed to have T11-S1 & L4-sacrum, w/bilateral pelvic fixation, if/when i have the surgery! sooooo...i went to CA to consult with dr anand regarding minimal invasive...will discuss possiblilities with my nyc surgeon at apr 12 appt.

best of luck in all your decsions
jess

[titaniumed]

Hi Nitram

Nice one. Looks like that curve could be a problem without surgery in the future.

I went up to 70, and my pain issues started at age 41 and progressively got worse as I aged. I ended up with major sciatica which is very tough to deal with.

We have a great bunch here. If you have questions, ask away.

Welcome to the forum
Ed

[Nitram]

Hi Nitram

BUT...difference is...i have extreme pain...all the time...i am so amazed (and glad for you) that you do not! lumbar area is really bad...the thoracic is treated with botox shots to freeze muscles so they cant spasm..and it works well...i get the shots from nyc pain doctor every 3-4 months...we tried, but they didnt work for lower back! i get other injections in lower back, but they dont work as well for killing the pain....

Hi Jess, I'm so sorry your having so much pain, hearing that reminds me how fortunate I am. What you describing is my fear if I don't do something now which is why I'm going to get 'r done. I'll be curious to compare notes as it sounds like our situations are very similar. Thanks for the welcome to the forum!

Take Care,

Rich

[Nitram]

Hi Nitram

Nice one. Looks like that curve could be a problem without surgery in the future.

I went up to 70, and my pain issues started at age 41 and progressively got worse as I aged. I ended up with major sciatica which is very tough to deal with.

We have a great bunch here. If you have questions, ask away.

Welcome to the forum
Ed

Thanks Ed, I appreciate the support.

Rich

[debbei]

Good luck Nitram,

For me, my upper curve was very stiff and was able to be corrected from 66 to 34. The bottom curve was also 66, and he corrected to 22. It could have corrected more but then I would have been unbalanced.

If you think about it, our bodies are amazing. My top major curve got bad on it's own, and the bottom compensatory curve adjusted so that I wouldn't have to walk around unevenly.

[ADMoul]

Good for you that you're moving forward and doing the surgery. My lumbar didn't give me pain when it was in the 60's either but by the time it progressed to 90 degrees, I was hurting. I was in denial for a long time. Best wishes for a successful surgery--you'll be glad you did it.