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Four years post op

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  • Four years post op

    Yesterday was my 4th anniversary.

    Pros:

    Pain free.
    Able to do anything (restrictions: no running or lifting heavy objects.)
    Taller, and, at the same weight, slimmer looking.

    Cons:

    Still some stiffness when tying shoelaces, cutting toenails, but easier than at 2 years.
    Slightly wonky gait (though others swear they can't see it.)
    Left shoulder lower than right.

    I still walk most days, usually around 2.5 kilometers. To get the most out of the walk, I walk fast. Still kayaking, and coming into Autumn now, we'll be doing more of it. I can stand or walk for hours if needs be, without any discomfort, which for me, is the biggest improvement in my life.

    There's still a small, lingering concern that this could all go pear-shaped, but I try not to dwell on it. Just grateful for every pain free day. Current age: 62 in May.
    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

  • #2
    congrads jennifer
    Kara
    25
    Brace 4-15-05-5-25-06
    Posterior Spinal Fusion 3-10-10
    T4-L2
    Before 50T
    After 20T

    Comment


    • #3
      wonderful, Jen...
      i add my congratulations as well...
      wishing you continued good health and an active life...

      jess...& Sparky

      Comment


      • #4
        Congratulations, Jennifer and thank you for sharing it with us. Reading reports like yours is very encouraging as I am about to undergo my surgery.
        I am stronger than scoliosis, and won't let it rule my life!
        45 years old - diagnosed at age 7
        A/P surgery on March 5/7, 2013 - UCSF

        Comment


        • #5
          Jennifer, I am so happy for you. Glad that you are doing so well

          Melissa
          Melissa

          Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

          April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

          Comment


          • #6
            Good that you are happy!

            But i don't understand some things, as:

            Why you aren't allowed to run?
            Regarding to slightly wonky gait.. You already had that before surgery or u gained it after? Why you think you have that problem?
            Your shoulders was even or uneven before surgery?

            I m worried and confused about these things you just mentioned and i m having my surgery in a week

            Thanks
            25 Years old male with thoracic 68 degrees and lumbar 34 degrees of scoliosis.

            Straight Position: Straight Position.jpg
            Bent to the Right: Bent to the Right.jpg
            Bent to the Left: Bent to the Left.jpg
            Side Position: Side Position.jpg
            Pelvis: Pelvis.jpg

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Spyros View Post
              Good that you are happy!

              But i don't understand some things, as:

              Why you aren't allowed to run?
              Regarding to slightly wonky gait.. You already had that before surgery or u gained it after? Why you think you have that problem?
              Your shoulders was even or uneven before surgery?

              I m worried and confused about these things you just mentioned and i m having my surgery in a week

              Thanks
              Thanks for the good wishes!

              Spyros, I am fused from T4 to Sacrum with pelvic fixation. My only unfused vertebra need to be treated with care, so no running or lifting heavy objects. This is probably good advice for anybody over 60. I can do both, but I don't want to risk those unfused vertebra which take all the jarring along my spine. I don't think this advice applies to younger people.

              Regarding my wonky gait. No it wasn't wonky before surgery, only since. It's not a problem, I just notice that my walk is slightly "bouncier" than it was. One leg seems longer than the other - I still have a 22 degree curve. I think it has to do with being fused to sacrum but I could be wrong. I haven't asked the doctor about it. I did ask if I should wear a heel lift and he said no. But in my walking shoes, I do wear a 1cm heel lift, but my walk still seems slightly wonky to me.

              Yes, my shoulders were uneven before surgery.
              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
                Hooray for you, Jennifer! Life is good, isn't it?! SO much better and happier, even with our few limitations. I'm so happy for you!
                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

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by JenniferG View Post
                  Yesterday was my 4th anniversary.

                  Cons:

                  Still some stiffness when tying shoelaces
                  Jen, You might get rid of those old shoelaces and buy some new ones....(smiley face)

                  Glad to have you here, you always fill in with the best posts....

                  You have done well!
                  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


                  • #10
                    Jennifer,
                    Congratulations! I feel like we have a lot in common besides our young age of 62! We're both happy with our surgeries and have returned to an active life. I love reading your posts and always think you've said exactly what I want to say, except you word it better. I hope for everyone else's sake, that you remain active on the forum. You were such a support for me in my pre-op days and early recovery months and offered many words of encouragement. Thank you!
                    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


                    • #11
                      Thanks everyone for the kind words. You know, I only posted to collect a few congrats! <smiley face>

                      I've never forgotten the support I received on this forum 4.5 years ago, it's simply the best place for those of us facing this surgery!
                      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


                      • #12
                        Jennifer,
                        So glad you are doing so well. With age comes wisdom and you have so much wisdom that you willingly share.
                        Take care, 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


                        • #13
                          Jennifer,

                          You are always so helpful and inspiring! Thanks for sticking with the forum!!

                          Best,
                          Evelyn
                          age 48
                          80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
                          Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
                          Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
                          Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
                          Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Sally and Evelyn, it's my pleasure.
                            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

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