Losing correction

[suzyjay]

Hi

While researching the Spinecore brace for my daughter I read on their wedsite that after scoliosis surgery the spine loses the correction - 1.0 degrees a year. This is what I copied from the article:
Loss of spinal correction is 3.2 degrees in the first and after 6.5 after 2 years with continued loss of 1.0 degrees year.

Does anyone know if this is true?

Thanks
Sue

[LindaRacine]

Sue...

Can you give us a reference to the whole article?

--Linda

[Karen Ocker]

Are you sure you saw that on the OFFICIAL Spincor page? Because I looked under surgery there and they said nothing of the kind.

I personally lost NO correction in my old spine over 3 years after surgery-with hardware. I DID lose correction after my OLD surgery in 1956 that used NO hardware. That is the reason hardware is used--to reinforce the fusion as it heals--allowing for early ambulation(I had to spend a YEAR in bed for my original un-instrumnted fusion to heal). It also reinforces the spine/fusion over lifetime. FAILURE to fuse will cause curving because the hardware will loosen.

I will do a search of the Medical Library on-line.

PS: I was impressed by the Spincor official web site.

Karen

[lelc2002@yahoo]

That was one of my questions before surgery. Karen, you said you did'nt lose any in 3 yrs.. I was wondering how others have done. Most on this forum seem to have only had this operation 1-2 yrs ago at most(adults).

[Karen Ocker]

Here's on study with a 2-6 year follow-up indicating "minimal" loss of correction:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=11547193&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_docsum

Here's a study(Shriners) showing varying loss of correction especially with fusion failure:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12394926&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_docsum

Here's one abstract describing a 13 degree average curve after 3 years with no suggestion of correction loss and the patients were described as "pleased":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=14520036&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_docsum


Here's a German study describing "minimal loss of correction":
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10905435&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_docsum

Here's one study describing patient satisfaction as 100% satisfied after 33-80 months post op with only one having minor loss:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=15016398&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Here's one describing correction in the 80% range again with minimal correction loss:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=10752101&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum

Here's one with no loss of correction:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=12811276&query_hl=20&itool=pubmed_DocSum

It looks like the newest techniques and instrumentation result in better outcomes. Any loss of correction seemed to occur in the first 2 years post-op.

Nowhere did I see an out and out statement of correction loss that continued through out life-as seen in an uncorrected major curve.
Karen

[shelley]

I have Harrington rods for 39 years. I lost about 5 degrees (from 37 deg. to 42 deg.) in the first year or so, however my spine stabilized after that. To my knowledge there has been no further loss. I do not have any fusion or instrumentation problems.

[suzyjay]

Sorry, I am mistaken, it was the Scoliosis Systems site,there was information on the Spinecore brace and at the bottom of the page was the name of a doctor - Dr. Gary Deutchman.

Sue

[LindaRacine]

Hi Sue...

I'm guessing that he pulled the numbers from this 1976 study:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=Abstract&list_uids=961393&query_hl=5&itool=pubmed_docsum

which are the results of ONE surgeon. It's so typical that these guys quote things totally out of context. They totally ignore the dozens of other studies that show good results.

--Linda

[suzyjay]

It had me worried, since I have to get surgery soon. Thanks so much for your responses.

Sue :)

[Karen Ocker]

Sorry, I am mistaken, it was the Scoliosis Systems site,there was information on the Spinecore brace and at the bottom of the page was the name of a doctor - Dr. Gary Deutchman.

Sue

That 'doctor' is a chiropractor.

This is a typical chiropractic scare tactic and frankly I am sick of it.

Karen