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Great almost 2-year checkup today

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  • Great almost 2-year checkup today

    Dr. Neuwirth thinks (and I agree) that I am fully fused. I don't know if this perception is right, but for the last 6 months or so, when I bump some thing, or twist a little like I shouldn't, I don't have that 'broken bone' feeling any more in my spine. Does anyone else relate to that feeling?

    I'm doing great, rarely have any pain, and if I have a little twinge I just take tylenol or motrin. I haven't even had a muscle relaxant in months! He asked if I'm exercising regularly and I am, and said to just come back in one year. The Xrays looked good, you could see the fusion, and I'm still well balanced. I'm still my new wonderful height of 5'3" so I haven't shrunk any more.

    I was totally expecting that it would be a good appointment, but it's so nice to hear from The Man himself. I love my Dr.

    Off to zumba now!
    __________________________________________
    Debbe - 50 yrs old

    Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
    Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

    Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
    Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
    Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

    Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
    Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

  • #2
    Congratulations Debbei! It sounds like you got a great result. These surgeons are amazing!
    Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

    No island of sanity.

    Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
    Answer: Medicine


    "We are all African."

    Comment


    • #3
      Debbei--That's wonderful! You sound great too. It must feel very nice to have it all confirmed by your doctor. Janet
      Janet

      61 years old--57 for surgery

      Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
      Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
      Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
      Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
      T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

      All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

      Comment


      • #4
        Super, Debbe!

        Just curious, do you figure it really took the entire year 1/2 +/- to achieve this level of fusion, though?

        Dr. Neuwirth IS a charming man.

        Asked once before, I'll ask again from the depths of my ignorance - what IS "Zumba"?
        And what exercise are you doing - besides the old faithful WALKING (and, of course, zumba, whatever that is)?
        Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
        Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
        main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
        Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive

        Comment


        • #5
          Sounds Fantastic!
          Janet
          36 year young cardiac RN
          old curve C 29, T 70, L 50
          new curve C 7, T 23, L 20
          Surgery June 11, UCH, Dr. Cronen T2-L5, posterior
          Revision December 20 L5-S1 with pelvic fixation
          and Osteotomy to L3 at Tampa General Hospital

          Comment


          • #6
            Zumba is a dance to the beat type of aerobic exercise. I'm surprised with a spinal fusion you are able to do the moves. There is a lot of belly and hip movement to strengthen core muscles. And congrats on your good checkup!
            Be happy!
            We don't know what tomorrow brings,
            but we are alive today!

            Comment


            • #7
              How time flies (when you're having a good time!)

              Congrats Debbe. Good to hear how well you are. I bet the Zumba keeps you very fit. Does this mean you don't have to see Dr. Neuwirth again?
              Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
              Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
              T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
              Osteotomies and Laminectomies
              Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

              Comment


              • #8
                Congrats, Debbe. That is excellent news! When do you have to go back and see Dr. N again, in a year?
                Surgery date: June 8, 2010 with Dr. Boachie
                Thoracic curve: 55 degrees, corrected to 25 degrees
                Lumbar curve: 58 degrees, corrected to 27 degrees
                Posterior-only surgery, Levels T3-L3
                31 year old mother of 2 young kids

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi All,

                  I have to go back again in one year. I think that sometime within the last 6 months I have been totally fused. That's when the wierd 'back is broken' pain stopped when I'd turn or bump funny.

                  I certainly can't do all the zumba moves; I just do what I can. Believe it or not I can do hip movements, but not exaggerated like others can. When I can't do one of those core movements, I just keep my core as tight as I can, while I'm doing all the other leg/arm movements. I think this HAS improved my core strength, because as a rule, I don't generally go around with my core tightened up during my regular day.
                  __________________________________________
                  Debbe - 50 yrs old

                  Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                  Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                  Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                  Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                  Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                  Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                  Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Congratulations, Debbe on the great check-up and to hear how good life is 2 years post-op. You have been such an inspiration and supporter for many of us on here that have had surgeries in the last year--like a "big sister" for us rookies! Thanks for all of your help and keep doing those Zumba moves!


                    Anne in PA
                    Age 58
                    Diagnosed at age 14, untreated, no problem until age 50
                    T4 to sacrum fusion
                    63 thoracic now 35, 92 lumbar now 53
                    Dr. Baron Lonner, 2/2/10
                    Am pain-free, balanced, happy & an inch taller !

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Congratulations, Debbe! I'm glad you got a good report.
                      Karen

                      Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                      Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                      70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                      Rib Hump-GONE!
                      Age-60 at the time of surgery
                      Now 66
                      Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                      Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                      See photobucket link for:
                      Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                      Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                      tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                      http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        To one of my first contacts on this forum!, so glad to hear this encouraging news, now I will hopefully know what to look for a year down the road! When you mentioned this broken back feeling, as of the past couple of days I've been having horrible achey pains down in the right lower back, you know what I think I will post a thread on what is going on with me. This thread is for your very good progess, so happy for you!
                        Dolores A
                        June 4, 2009 Anterior L3 - S1
                        June 8, 2009 Posterior T4 - Pelvis
                        Mark Agulnick, MD FAAOS
                        NY Spine & Scoliosis Center

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Outstanding news - I'm so very happy for you
                          Lynette - 44 years old.

                          Pre-surgery thoracic 55 degrees
                          Pre-surgery lumbar 85 degrees

                          Post-surgery thoracic 19 degrees
                          Post-surgery lumbar 27 degrees

                          Surgery April 1st 2010.

                          Posterior spinal fusion from T9 to sacrum.
                          Dr. Cronen at University Community Hospital - Tampa, FL.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Debbe -
                            This is certainly good news! I can't believe it's been 2 years for you already - WOW! You were one of the people on here that I followed closely from your forum beginning to now...

                            Just wanted to tell you how much I have appreciated your honest questions that you never hesitated to post AND your cheerleader response to so many on here - you have been so helpful - you are invaluable!

                            Best wishes!
                            Julie - 51 yrs old

                            Dx'd 1973 - 43* thoracic curve / rotation
                            Wore Milwaukee brace 1973 - 1979
                            Pre-surgery: 63* thoracic / 52* lumbar curves


                            Surgeries: P - March 16, 2009 - Fused T3-S2 with pelvic fixation
                            A -April 14, 2009 - Fused L5-S1
                            Achieved +70% Correction
                            Dr. Khaled Kebaish, (and team) Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore


                            Standing x-ray
                            New Spine 03/19/2009
                            New Spine Lateral 03/19/2009

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