Collapse of spine

[Ukman]

I'm not panicking as I had surgery a few yrs ago and it was a success. However I seem to remember once prior to surgery one of the doctors mentioning to be the possibility of the spine collapsing with scoliosis. I don't know if this was ever a possibility in my case or whether this was something that might sometimes happen. However I can't find anything on the net about spinal collapse due to scoliosis. This makes me think I imagined the doctors comments. Does anyone know if a spinal collapse can occur with scoliosis?

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

I've heard that term used as well, so you weren't imaging it. However, I've never known what that actually means, and never known anyone to whom that happened.

Regards,
Linda

[Carmell]

I'm not sure there is a written-in-stone definintion of collapsing spines, but, my son was born with congenital malformations of the spine. As he grew and was developing, gravity was collapsing his spine because of the malformations causing curves in the spine. He had a/p fusion surgery at 11 months old. The ortho came out of surgery and told us his "entire spine was weak and that future fusions farther up and down the spine were likely". Frightening to hear about your infant. However, he has done very well and is thriving because of the VEPTR procedure allowing his body to grow while being supported by the adjustable rods/devices. Collapsing spine isn't in our immediate future, knock on wood.

[green m&m]

My guess is that it means when the curvature causes the spine to loose the vertical height..

or..

It could mean the vertebrael body becomes compressed..

[Gail]

My Operative Report states:

Preoperative Diagnosis: Collapsing Idiopathic and Degenerative Thoracolumbar scoliosis.

Postoperative Diagnosis: Same thing.

Interesting..both say the same...leads me to believe collapsing just means not straight. I welcome any thoughts.

Kindest Regards,
Gail

[Karen Ocker]

Collapsing spine

They write the same pre-op diagnosis as post-op for insurance purposes.
The only time they write something different is when, during surgery, they find something new that may not have been expected - and that is listed in addition to the indications for surgery. I know this for sure because I work in an OR.

My husband's doctor still writes "prostate cancer" on his blood tests even though he was cured of it 12 years ago when he gets the psa test.

Karen

[SpineWhine]

One thing that was explained to me, and helped influence my decision to have surgery:

I was told that as my curve progressed, and my bones weakened, that my spine would eventually collapse onto itself. (As in little tiny fractures as the curve compressed and tilted over more and more.) THen, this collapse is what could lead to serious heart and lung problems, as the spine collapsed around internal organs. I guess the collapsing is similar to curve progression.