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I would be very grateful for anyones thoughts on whether I should have surgery;
Background; I am 37 years old and have had kyphosis since around 19. ALways managed the pain with excercise but the curve and the pain have gotten worse in the last 2 years, which has caused me to go to the doctor
I had my first appointment to see the surgeon today - he only had the xray that the GP had ordered. He said he would need more xrays, an mRI scan and dexascan ( because the GP says I have osteopenia) - we can't do this now as I am early pregnant. So his comments were based on incomplete information;
Before i went to this appointment I was DETERMINED I wanted the op.
Now however, I have doubts;
I have a constant feeling of 'muscle exhaustion' ( I am hoping you know what I mean!) over my hump. Twanging pains in my lower back and neck when I moved. Muscle weakness in my legs and numbness in my arms and hands. But it is not horrific pain - I don't take hardcore pain medication. It is because it is always present that I am finding it hard to bear.
If my fusion is so long though, what is the trade off? how will my mobility be when recovered?
Am I wanting to have the op more out of vanity? since I decided I wanted to have the op - it opened a flood gate of feelings I have about my hump - I HATE IT!!! I find it repulsive and I really want a straight back. Is it wrong to have surgery for cosmetic reasons?
1 last point (promise!) - the dr said I wouldn't degenerate into a wheelchair. But it is not going to get better is it? surely with old age it is bound to get worse?
Thank you! thanks for listening and thanks for any thoughts x
Background; I am 37 years old and have had kyphosis since around 19. ALways managed the pain with excercise but the curve and the pain have gotten worse in the last 2 years, which has caused me to go to the doctor
I had my first appointment to see the surgeon today - he only had the xray that the GP had ordered. He said he would need more xrays, an mRI scan and dexascan ( because the GP says I have osteopenia) - we can't do this now as I am early pregnant. So his comments were based on incomplete information;
- My kyphosis is 75 degrees - is that bad? my spine looked hideous on the xray - yeuck!!
- He said that he doesn't think that i am someone who will degenrate into a wheelchair and he doesn't think the surgery is a NECESSITY but he seemed prepared to do it ( I didn't bottom this out as I have an appointment for the extar xrays etc after baby due date).
- He said that bearing children and looking after them can cause a worsening of curves.
- I would need to be fused from T2 to L2 - which is longer than I imagined it would be - is this a long fusion??
Before i went to this appointment I was DETERMINED I wanted the op.
Now however, I have doubts;
I have a constant feeling of 'muscle exhaustion' ( I am hoping you know what I mean!) over my hump. Twanging pains in my lower back and neck when I moved. Muscle weakness in my legs and numbness in my arms and hands. But it is not horrific pain - I don't take hardcore pain medication. It is because it is always present that I am finding it hard to bear.
If my fusion is so long though, what is the trade off? how will my mobility be when recovered?
Am I wanting to have the op more out of vanity? since I decided I wanted to have the op - it opened a flood gate of feelings I have about my hump - I HATE IT!!! I find it repulsive and I really want a straight back. Is it wrong to have surgery for cosmetic reasons?
1 last point (promise!) - the dr said I wouldn't degenerate into a wheelchair. But it is not going to get better is it? surely with old age it is bound to get worse?
Thank you! thanks for listening and thanks for any thoughts x
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