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  • New surgery help needed

    Hello,
    I'm new here, and I had no idea so many people suffered with scoliosis. I am 44 years old, I have a 22 degree and a 40 degree with a rotation component. My 40 degree was only 27 degrees 3 years ago. I was always told that this did not progress in adulthood. But my pain and disability sure got worse, now I know why!..I was told today by a physical med Dr. that I needed surgery. I am going to agree, I have tried EVERYTHING from meds, to PT, brace, chiropractor, etc.
    Does anyone know of a good surgeon in the Illinois or surrounding area?
    Thanks so much and God bless you all!

  • #2
    Hi Julieanne,

    Welcome!!! Be patient. I think Linda Racine will be able to provide you with a list of crediable Dr.s.

    Don't settle for just any Dr., find the one you like and trust in your heart!!!

    Shari

    Comment


    • #3
      Thanks Shari....I will be patient and hopefully find just the right doc! The surgery looks pretty gruesome, I want someone with a lot of experience

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Julieanne...

        You can find a list of specialists here:

        http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp

        I don't know anyone specifically in Southern Illinois. If Chicago is acceptable to you, I can recommend Purnendu Gupta, who has excellent training.

        Before agreeing to surgery with anyone, I'd want to be sure that your curves were measured accurately. A 13 degree increase in a small curve in an adult is pretty unusual.

        Regards,
        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
          post-op concerns

          Hello All,

          i had surgery almost one year ago. I am only working about 70% of the time. I am fused from T-3 to L-4. Altho i had some other difficulties. I suffered from major blood clots four days after surgery and spent another two weeks in the hospital on the cardiac and critical care units. I guess my question is this: At one year, how much activity should we be doing and how much work is not enough? Thanks!

          Dmb

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi dmb...

            Most people are back working full time by about 6 mos. postop, but we're all different. I assume that it's pain that is keeping you from working FT. What kind of pain?

            --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


            • #7
              Hi dmb,

              I figure if you don't feel pain and want to work, it's how your body feels. Some PT exercises or alternative treatments like massage or acupuncture can help certain people with lower back and neck pain since those areas when unfused can cause a lot of pain when you work a certain amount of hours, but again it's whatver you feel your body can take. If you have a physical job, I would understand that being tough and having certain limits, but again that is unique to every person, b/c physical strenght and pain threshold(not just from scoliosis or back surgery), is different for anybody, wether they're perfectly healthy or have had surgery.
              Last edited by sweetness514; 04-22-2006, 01:57 PM.
              35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
              Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
              Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
              Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
              Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

              Comment


              • #8
                hi there!

                i can only work 5-6 hours a day at an office job. When i get home, i'm completely beat. i have to lye down for about an hour before i can do anything! Its so frustrating. i guess i'm just looking to see if this is normal?? I continue my light pt and i try to walk 1.5-2 miles every day.

                dmb


                Originally posted by sweetness514
                Hi dmb,

                I figure if you don't feel pain and want to work, it's how your body feels. Some PT exercises or alternative treatments like massage or acupuncture can help certain people with lower back and neck pain since those areas when unfused can cause a lot of pain when you work a certain amount of hours, but again it's whatver you feel your body can take. If you have a physical job, I would understand that being tough and having certain limits, but again that is unique to every person, b/c physical strenght and pain threshold(not just from scoliosis or back surgery), is different for anybody, wether they're perfectly healthy or have had surgery.

                Comment


                • #9
                  I think it is normal, I know people who don't have severe back problems and are beat when they come back from work too, and lie down. Some are tired, in pain in different places, etc. We're not machines and if you're doing PT and getting rest, you're doing what needs to be done and that is an accomplishment.

                  You're doing great.
                  35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
                  Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
                  Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
                  Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
                  Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi dmb...

                    So, it's exhaustion, and not pain?? It does take a long time for the body to recoup from such a big assault. In my case, however, I think I was pretty much back to normal in terms of general fitness. Perhaps it's something that you should discuss with your primary care doctor.

                    Regards,
                    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


                    • #11
                      Hi Linda,

                      Not only am I exhausted it is because i do have pain. Somtimes worse than others. I just feel so incredibly tight!! It's almost like if they could go back in to my spine and loosen those screws!!! That is how i feel 24/7!! When i sit too long, then i feel that my spine is about 2" long! Any suggestions? I just feel that i am not back to full potentional and it is driving me crazy. May 16th will be one year and i only feel about 75% and i'm only working about 70%. Is this normal? Am I too whiney about it? I also had blood clots after surgery. Alot of them. Both of my lungs were filled and i only had one air passage open. I was on coumadin for 8 months but no longer have to take that because my lungs are cleared. I jsut get so beside myself that it is not even funny. Thanks for any encouragement or advice

                      dmb

                      Originally posted by LindaRacine
                      Hi dmb...

                      So, it's exhaustion, and not pain?? It does take a long time for the body to recoup from such a big assault. In my case, however, I think I was pretty much back to normal in terms of general fitness. Perhaps it's something that you should discuss with your primary care doctor.

                      Regards,
                      Linda

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I didn't feel back to normal until two years post op, and even then there were some fatigue, lower bak pains(still get it), tightness. In my case it took time. I will say again that you're working almost full time, it's a great accomplishment and it's amazing if you ask me.

                        If the pain gets too much you can talk to your surgeon, too see if all is in place, or if the pain is normal according to him. Your PT could help too, sometimes there are certain exercises besides the ones you're doing that could help. I know in my case, only walking, swimming and with time light weights and stationary biking helped, and every PT exercise I tried for my abdominal/lower back increased the pain, but I read that there are so many exercise for that region that maybe new ones that I didn't try could help.

                        Take it easy.
                        35 y/old female from Montreal, Canada
                        Diagnosed with scoliosis(double major) at age 12, wore Boston brace 4 years at least 23 hours a day-curve progressed
                        Surgery age 26 for 60 degree curve in Oct. 1997 by Dr.Max Aebi-fused T5 to L2
                        Surgery age 28 for a hook removal in Feb. 1999 by Dr.Max Aebi-pain free for 5 years
                        Surgery age 34 in Dec.2005 for broken rod replacement, bigger screws and crosslinks added and pseudarthrosis(non union) by Dr. Jean Ouellet

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Hi dmb...

                          I think you just need to give it some more time. I had some surgical pain that lasted three years! If you don't see some real improvement over the next 3-6 months, I think it may be time to talk to your surgeon about trying to figure out why you're feeling the way you are.

                          Regards,
                          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


                          • #14
                            I get more aches and pains when the weather gets bad too... I guess the low pressure causes the bones to throb or something.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              thanks for your encouragement and i'll be sure to ask for different exercises to see what helps and what hurts!!

                              Originally posted by sweetness514
                              I didn't feel back to normal until two years post op, and even then there were some fatigue, lower bak pains(still get it), tightness. In my case it took time. I will say again that you're working almost full time, it's a great accomplishment and it's amazing if you ask me.

                              If the pain gets too much you can talk to your surgeon, too see if all is in place, or if the pain is normal according to him. Your PT could help too, sometimes there are certain exercises besides the ones you're doing that could help. I know in my case, only walking, swimming and with time light weights and stationary biking helped, and every PT exercise I tried for my abdominal/lower back increased the pain, but I read that there are so many exercise for that region that maybe new ones that I didn't try could help.

                              Take it easy.

                              Comment

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