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  • Bumpy Recovery

    Hi to all. I am 12 weeks post-op today. I know many of you have expressed a desire to hear all stories, good and bad, so even though I have been reluctant to post- here goes. At approx 8 wks. post-op i developed chest pain, shortness of breath(which I had initially in the hospital). I went to a local ER, who did a CT scan to rul out pulmonary embolism, which was negative. The radiologist noticed a pedicle screw at T7 was partially out of the vertebral body, leaving the threads exposed, and it was 1mm from my aorta. They were unable to reach my surgeon, but the Dr on call said it was fine, send me home! I went to see my surgeons assoc. several days later(surgeon was out of country) and he said the screw was not loose, even though it pulled out of the bone partially, and recommended no treatment. My surgeon called when he returned, and agreed. My physical therapist, at that point, refused to do therapy, since I continued to be symptomatic. After speaking with Dr.B., we agreed it made sense to see a cardiologist, whom I saw yesterday. Turns out I had an undiagnosed pericarditis, and now have a pericardial effusion. He was not comfortable with the screws proximity to the aorta, and is sending my films to a cardiothoracic surgeon. I was told by my surgeon, that although it is rare, this can happen when they apply the torque to derotate the spine, but they really don't know how often it happens, since X-ray will not pick it up, only CT scans. I found quite a few articles on PubMed, through the NIH, documenting such cases. My question remains: If it is known the close proximity of the aorta to the spine, esp. in the thoracic region, why are CT scans not done routinely to verify placement? Interestingly enough, I did have one at HSS post-op, due to the chest pain, and they missed it! I am praying I do not need more surgery. Sorry to be a downer, but I feel it is important to share all information.
    Lori in PA, 52 yrs. old
    T54/L72
    Surgery 6/7/11, T3-S1, all posterior, with pelvic anchors
    Gained 2 inches!
    Dr. Boachie, HSS, NYC
    12/10/13 Hardware Removal for infection
    Lost 2", gained PJK!

  • #2
    Oh Lori!

    So sorry to hear that. It must be so scary and frustrating. I hope they will be able to figure out the best way to treat you, and hopefully avoid further surgery. Gosh, I can't imagine going through that so soon post-op.

    I'm glad you shared your story, it's always good to know the things that can happen post-op.

    Keep us posted!

    Blessings,
    Rebecca
    Age: 28
    Dx w/ scoli @ age 12 S curves T-40* L-42*
    wore night bending brace as teenager
    Curves changed to 50's plus or minus
    herniated disc L2-3, Discectomy October 2007
    fusion L2-3 November 2008
    Revision L2-3 Fusion, Removal of hardware August 2009
    Curves measuring 52 T&L September 2010
    Fused T4-L4, all posterior December 27th 2010
    gained almost two inches in height

    Before and After Exterior
    Before and After X-rays
    My blog: http://herscoliosisjourney.blogspot.com/

    Comment


    • #3
      Lori,
      I'm sorry to hear you had this problem. Hopefully, it can be taken care of quickly so you can get on with recovery.
      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


      • #4
        Lori

        Oh boy. I’m so sorry to hear this.

        Someone I work with had a pericarditis procedure just 2 months ago and he is doing pretty good. He didn’t have to leave little old Reno, we have one of the best specialists here in that field. They went through his right side laparoscopically to access the heart on the left side, hard to believe but true.

        CT’s emit quite a bit of radiation and doing them usually needs a good reason. Missing something can happen.....radiologists are human.

        Its good that you posted...as always we are here for support.
        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


        • #5
          Lori,

          I'm so sorry to hear of these complications. It must be frightening, but it sounds like you've got a team of doctors
          working on the situation. I really hope you don't need more surgery.

          I know what you mean about not wanting to post bad news about our surgeries. I feel like my story might be scaring
          anyone thinking of surgery. But I guess people need to hear the good, the bad and the ugly, as they say. If my upcoming second surgery fixes things I'll think it was all worth it.

          Good luck with everything.

          Mary, Age 54
          Surgery with Dr. Boachie 7/5/11, fused T2-T12
          Pre-surgery T60, L52
          Post-surgery T26, L33
          Next surgery scheduled 9/21/11

          Comment


          • #6
            So sorry to hear you are having problems. It is important to be pro-active and when something is not right, you have to keep letting people know until someone listens. It's a shame that it took this long, but it sounds like you're on the right track now. Hope you can get this taken care of soon and get back to recovery. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers.


            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


            • #7
              Awh Lori, I am so sorry to hear this. Hopefully they can get you fixed up good as new. You are in my prayers.
              __________________________________________
              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


              • #8
                I am sorry to hear this .Please keep us posted

                Melissa
                Melissa

                Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                Comment


                • #9
                  Thank you everyone for your concern and well wishes. The latest word from Dr. Boachie is no screw removal at this point, and repeat CT scan in 6 months. Although I am very relieved to not be having more surgery this soon, I am concerned about all the radiation exposure from all the x-rays and CT scans, and knowing the screw is 1 mm from the aorta is pretty unsettling. I just hope I can forget about it for a while.
                  Mary- I know how you must be feeling. Having surgery again this soon is frightening. I hope you do well, and will be watching for your posts, post-op. You are right, we do have to post all information. It is important for people to know this surgery is not a walk in the park, and even going to the best surgeons offers no guarantees. Good Luck to you, hopefully this surgery will fix the problem.
                  Lori in PA, 52 yrs. old
                  T54/L72
                  Surgery 6/7/11, T3-S1, all posterior, with pelvic anchors
                  Gained 2 inches!
                  Dr. Boachie, HSS, NYC
                  12/10/13 Hardware Removal for infection
                  Lost 2", gained PJK!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Lori, thanks for these last news, I hope everything will be allright. But I guess it will not be easy to forget about this aorta proximity from the screw... Anyway, thanks for sharing your story, it's important to gather all information possible, nice and less nice, about this surgery. We will be there for you anytime.
                    Bamboo

                    Diagnosed age 17 in 1975
                    no treatment
                    Never knew I would need any follow-up
                    Now 53 years old
                    Curves in late 2010 Lumbar 70, Thoracic 65
                    Has been fused T2 to L4 on september 22th 2011
                    Dr. Stefan Parent, Hôpital Sacré-Coeur, Montréal

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Lori,
                      So sorry that you are going through this. There are so many complications that can occur from this surgery. Hope you get better soon.
                      Laurie
                      Age 57
                      Posterior fusion w/thoracoplasty T2-L3 Oct 1, 2010
                      Thoracic curve corrected from 61* to 16*
                      Lumbar curve, unknown measurement
                      Disfiguring back hump GONE!!
                      Dr Munish Gupta
                      UC Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, CA

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        What a scary experience, and I don't blame you for continuing to feel unsettled. Best wishes for a worry-free six months as you continue to recover.
                        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


                        • #13
                          Lori, I'm so sorry to hear about your complications here-- just wanted to comment that you and I had surgery the same day, so I guess we're kind of surgical twins. I was at UC San Diego and had mine in two phases. The lower three vertebrae were fused on June 7th, coming in from my right hip. Another two vertebrae were already fused by arthritis. The rest of the surgery was posterior, on June 9th.
                          Diagnosed at age 13
                          Milwaukee brace ages 73-74
                          Pre surgery 58 degree curve and lordosis
                          Surgery June 7&9, 2011 Fused L-4 -T-4 Age 52
                          Post surgery 26 degrees
                          Surgeon Yu-po Lee

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Again, thank you so much for all of your concern. It has been a very upsetting development for me. Dr. Boachie did call me after my cardiology consult, and he strongly feels that the screw does not need to be removed at this point. I am to have a repeat CT scan in 6 months. I need to make sure the pericarditis is resolved completely before any intervention could be done, if ever needed. So, I am just going to try to relax, put it out of my mind, and focus on recovery.
                            Paula- How is your recovery going? Are you experiencing a lot of tightness in your back? Are you going to PT? I wish you well in your recovery, as I know how difficult it can be!
                            Lori in PA, 52 yrs. old
                            T54/L72
                            Surgery 6/7/11, T3-S1, all posterior, with pelvic anchors
                            Gained 2 inches!
                            Dr. Boachie, HSS, NYC
                            12/10/13 Hardware Removal for infection
                            Lost 2", gained PJK!

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Lori,
                              So sorry to hear of this complication. I hope you can relax about it. Apparently the Doc's don't consider it an immediate threat, so hang in there. Thinking the best for you.
                              Sally
                              Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
                              Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
                              Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
                              Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
                              New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
                              Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

                              "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

                              Comment

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