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Rib removal - what's up with that?

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  • Rib removal - what's up with that?

    When I went to see Dr Boachie, one of the things I remember him saying is that he "may even be able to salvage my lower ribs."

    Why wouldn't I be able to keep my lower ribs? I see some of you guys mentioning having ribs removed and don't understand why that would happen or what the benefit of doing it would be. Does anyone know?
    Female, age 38
    4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
    currently 64*upper/40*lower
    Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
    now 32*upper/18* lower

  • #2
    Linda or someone will correct me here but my understanding is rib removal is to improve the rib hump when they can't de-rotate the spine enough to get a better appearance. The ribs grow back in months, hopefully in a better, less prominent fashion.

    With pedicle screws which allow great amounts of de-rotation, rib removal is largely though maybe not completely unnecessary as I understand it.

    My one kid was quite torqued around and was de-rotated at least 90% without rib removal. Pedicle screws... more than just a good idea.
    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."

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    • #3
      In my case, my rib was removed to supply the crushed bone used in the fusion itself. It also eliminated my rib hump.
      Chris
      A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
      Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
      Post-op curve: 12 degrees
      Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

      Comment


      • #4
        Good to know - thanks guys!
        Female, age 38
        4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
        currently 64*upper/40*lower
        Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
        now 32*upper/18* lower

        Comment


        • #5
          Thoracoplasty

          This might help. You can get this book here through NSF

          http://www.curvedspine.com/thoracoplasty.htm

          Ed
          49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
          Pre surgery curves T70,L70
          ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
          Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

          Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

          My x-rays
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

          Comment


          • #6
            That book may contain more than I want to know. (where's the I'm about to barf icon?!)
            Female, age 38
            4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
            currently 64*upper/40*lower
            Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
            now 32*upper/18* lower

            Comment


            • #7
              Lily,
              There is no barf icon...yes, maybe they should add one on just for us. We can use one, I can vouch for that! A constipation icon would be useful for the postie. It is hard to sit after surgery, let alone type, we could just click on the icon, post, and that would convey the message.....he he

              This book is excellent for the scoli. It covers most of the things that are needed to know to have an understanding of what happens and what can happen. Years ago, there was nothing, and I always wondered what exactly happens in these surgeries???

              Most surgeons will explain procedures, usually they explain as briefly as possible.

              After 34 years of worrying about my surgeries, thinking, reading....when I did finally read this book 6 months ago, I wasn’t surprised at all, I would have written it exactly the same way that David Wolpert did. After reading many books on the subject through the years, this is one of the best.

              Ed
              49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
              Pre surgery curves T70,L70
              ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
              Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

              Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

              My x-rays
              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

              Comment


              • #8
                I'll echo Ed in saying it's a great book to read ahead of time. I read it several times before my surgery and for some dumb reason even took it with me to the hospital. It's very easy reading, plus gives you a lot of information about how to get your house ready for when you come home, etc. Of course, you have to remember that things are "in general" and it might not fit exactly with how your surgery and recovery are, but he explains everything in layman's terms-- because he also was just a regular scoli person who wanted to make a book for the rest of us that would explain about the condition, the surgery, what to expect, how to prepare, etc. I referred to it over and over AFTER my surgery as well.
                71 and plugging along... but having some problems
                2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
                5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
                Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

                Corrected to 15°
                CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
                10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

                Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

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                • #9
                  I got a Thoracoplasty (sp?) done in my surgery.
                  I think in my particulae case was absolutely needed cause i had a 100 degree curve and significant rotation. Now, you cn barely notice tell i had I rib hump before I mean you can tell just a little bit... but also he used the bone for the fusion.
                  I have an extra pain from that, but it is not a big deal and the cosmetic results are totally worth it.!
                  Pilar
                  Scoliosis Diagnosed at age 12. Wore Milwaukee brace for 2 years.
                  Now age 32
                  Pre-op curves: C86-T98-L37
                  Surgery date: 12/6/2010 (anterior) 12/10/2010 (posterior)
                  Fused T2 to L5 with thoracoplasty.
                  Post-op curves: C48-T47-L17
                  Dr. Robert Pashman
                  Cedars Sinai, Los Angeles, CA
                  Before and after xrays :
                  http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...5&d=1292969215

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    It's great to hear you sounding so positive, Pilar. You had a tough road with that big curve, but it sounds like you're firmly on the other side now.

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      when you get ribs removed it called a Thoracoplasty
                      my doctor does them all the time doing spinal fusion surgeires
                      Kara
                      25
                      Brace 4-15-05-5-25-06
                      Posterior Spinal Fusion 3-10-10
                      T4-L2
                      Before 50T
                      After 20T

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