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Other types of scoliosis surgery available?

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  • Other types of scoliosis surgery available?

    It's been a while since I researched scoliosis surgery, but I recall talk about coming out with a new type of surgery? Was this something that never happened and the surgery with the rods is the only thing available? Did they recently come out with new types of more flexible rods? Shoot - I really don't remember because this was a few years ago. Anyone know anything about this?
    ___________________________________
    14 yrs old: diagnosed by gym teacher during a scoliosis screening
    14 - 15 yrs old: wore a brace and went to a chiropractor. Both did nothing.
    16 - 21 yrs old: what's scoliosis?
    21 - 27 yrs old: the progression of back pain
    28 yrs old: first x-ray since I was 14 and curve has more than doubled.

    Considering surgery based on pain, curve progression, and the dream of having 'normal' hips.

  • #2
    Gypsy...

    Flexible rods wouldn't be practical, as the purpose of rods is to hold the spine steady while fusion takes hold. There are some newer techniques including minimally invasive surgery and short bone-on-bone fusions. Both have their champions and their critics. My advice would be to find a surgeon you like, and whom you feel you can trust, and let him/her decide what type of surgery is best for you.

    --Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Linda, that must have been what I read about. Also, I read in another forum about titanium rods...that's relatively new, right? I think I remember hearing about that as a new thing a few years back.
      ___________________________________
      14 yrs old: diagnosed by gym teacher during a scoliosis screening
      14 - 15 yrs old: wore a brace and went to a chiropractor. Both did nothing.
      16 - 21 yrs old: what's scoliosis?
      21 - 27 yrs old: the progression of back pain
      28 yrs old: first x-ray since I was 14 and curve has more than doubled.

      Considering surgery based on pain, curve progression, and the dream of having 'normal' hips.

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Gypsy...

        I think they started using titanium about 10-15 years ago. Some surgeons prefer it while others don't. It's lighter in weight, and doesn't get in the way if the patient needs an MRI. However, it's also more brittle, so breaks more easily.

        --Linda
        Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
        Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

        Comment


        • #5
          Maybe this is what you heard about:

          http://www.neurosurgery.pitt.edu/spi...s/dynesys.html

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Tall Paul...

            That system is not really for scoliosis, as it looks like it's not contourable.

            --Linda
            Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
            ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
            Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

            Comment

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