Screws on my knees and head

[mo16]

Hello everyone. My doctor told me while discussing the surgery procedure that if I want to get a very good correction on my 59 curve he has to use tractions while in surgery to straiten me up. He mention putting screws on my knees and head so he can get a very good correction…. He said the screws are not going deep in the skull and I don’t have to worry. Is this normal in scoliosis surgery procedure. I am 110 pounds and 5.7 tall healthy boy. I run and in a good shape. I never hear anyone mention this before. My curve is not that big and you can’t even notice. Its S shape in the middle of my back. The Doctor also give me an option not to go with this procedure but said the correction will not be perfect. He mention cutting my curve down to 10-15 without putting me on screws.

Has anyone had this procedure. Any thoughts are welcome…Worried

My surgery is Tuesday July the 5th.

All the best to all. God bless


Mo

[flowerpower]

Hi,

This is the first time I've seen anyone mention screws in knees and head for traction during surgery, but I've only been on this forum since April. What hospital are you having surgery at? Hope everything goes well for you.

FlowerPower

[LindaRacine]

Hi Mo...

I've seen halo traction used during scoliosis surgery, but it's pretty rare. Do you know if you have a fairly unusual situation? Also, who is your surgeon?

Regards,
Linda

[mo16]

Hi Linda

I don't think I have fairly unusual situation. Idiopathic Scoliosis. No pain. 59-60 S shape curve
My surgery is going to be done Toronto Western Hospital. By Dr. Stephen Lewis. He is one of the best here in Eastern Canada. I think I am going to be discussing this in detail the day of the surgery. I don’t want to have pain in my knees and head on top
scoliosis surgery

Mo

[LindaRacine]

Hi Mo...

I actually observed a surgery when a friend had halo traction applied before her scoliosis revision surgery. I don't think she complained of pain from the screws at all.

I'd encourage you to try to understand why the doctor wants to do the traction. Questions you might ask are "does he routinely do it?" or, "is your case special is some way?"

You might want to do some research on the topic:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...arch&DB=pubmed

Type SCOLIOSIS TRACTION PERIOPERATIVE in the Search box and click on GO.

Regards,
Linda

[Celia]

I am 110 pounds and 5.7 tall healthy boy. I run and in a good shape. I never hear anyone mention this before. My curve is not that big and you can’t even notice. Its S shape in the middle of my back.

Mo

Hi Mo,

How old are you ? If you're 18 and under why aren't you being treated at Sick Kids in Toronto ? They have the BEST doctors. I would imagine that Dr. Lewis treats adults mainly and therefore doesn't do as many spinal fusions as someone who works out of a pediatric hospital such as Sick Kids. The majority of spinal fusions are done on adolescent children who normally go to a pediatric hospital.




Celia

[mo16]

hi Celia

I am 17. My family physician refers to us to Dr Lewis at Toronto Western. We also saw another Doctor at sick kids last year. My family and I fault very uncomfortable.

Dr Lewis does spinal fusion of young people. He shows us some some pics. My family and I are comfortable with Dr Lewis. Hope everything goes well. Just can get the screws out my mind

mo

[Celia]

Mo,

I'm glad to hear that you have a good rapport with Dr. Lewis and I'm not doubting his abilities as a surgeon. It just seems to me that the procedure he's proposing is a little unorthodox given the severity of your curve. Maybe your curve is very rigid ?


My experience and that of people I know whose family physician refers them to "specialists" has not been a good one. I'll give you an example, my father-in-law was diagnosed with prostate cancer last year and his family physician referred him to a "recent" medical school graduate. You certainly wouldn't want a novice surgically removing your prostate ! If you want the best care, you really have to research "specialists" yourself and tell your family physician WHO you want to be referred to. I helped my father-in-law find one of the BEST urologists in Ontario with extensive experience and qualifications.

Mo, I hope your surgery goes well ! I guess only time will tell if it was the right decision.




Celia

[LindaRacine]

Hi Mo...

I found some information on Dr. Lewis on the internet, and he has good credentials (he did a spine fellowship at Washington University in St. Louis). So, I think you can trust that he'll do a good job. If you can find out specifically why he thinks you need traction, I'd be really curious.

And, don't worry about the screws. I'm pretty sure they'll be painless.

Good luck!

Regards,
Linda

[mo16]

Linda and Celia

Dr. Lewis mention traction when we were discussing how much correction he can achieve. He said if I need a very good correction he might need to use traction. My curve is not rigid as matter of fact is very flexible and I am very thin..

Thanks Linda and Celia for the info and support. I really appreciate

Mo

[LindaRacine]

Hi Mo and Celia...

I took the liberty of emailing Dr. Lewis to get his opinion and received this response:

i have been doing it with large curves, curves in older patients, and curves
that are harder to balance the shoulders. It also gives an excellent idea
intraop what the distal level will look like at the end to help in deciding
the most distal fixation level. I have a large series of these, I almost
never do anterior releases and I get a more predictable balanced curves at
the end

.

This is an interesting approach. I suspect he'll be publishing on the subject.

Regards,
Linda

[Central]

hi

did he mention how long you would be in screws? and if he said he can bring the curve down to 10-15 degrees without screws- thats a pretty small curve. but do let us know how things go when you get done with the surgery. Good luck.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Central...

I could be wrong but I think that the traction is only intraoperatively, so the only evidence Mo will have that it even took place will be the small sores from the screws.

Regards,
Linda

[mo16]

Linda and Celia

He hasn't mention how long the screws will stay in my body but assure me they won't hurt and I will never feel it. I might not needed. I think we will decide the day of surgery. Hope thinks works out well. I have been getting ready. Had my hair cut today. Will share info when I get back. Thanks to all of you. Linda and Celia your awesome.

Mo

[mo16]

To All

My surgery is day after tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who gave me information and advice. I hope I am as prepared as one can be. I will let you know how it goes...

prayers for all and for me

Thanks

Mo