Hello people. Since I last wrote I had a second opinion and was seen by Dr. Ted Wagner at UW Bone and Joint in Seattle. His evaluation says that my lumbar curve is 60 plus and my thoracic is approx. 45 degrees. He proposes a "posterior" intrumentation from T11 to L3. The letter says that he would then (during surgery I think) x-ray to see if L4 had become "horizontal" or not, it if it still tilted he would "extend" to L4. He says he would like to "ignore" the upper curve and that it might "go below 25 degrees" (after surgery I guess, on its own). Most of my pain and visible deformity is definity connected with the lower curve, although that hump on the left side of my back is nearly smack in the middle. I am told the hump is partly so visible because of the rotation of my vertebrae so that the little wings that protrude out are sticking outwards more than they should. The doc said that he would basically be twisting those vertebrae to reduce the rotation.
So these are my concerns and questions: Won't my thoracic curve sort of go bonkers when it's buddy is gone -- it is there to "compensate" or balance out the bigger curve, so what typically happens next...? And when I am having to sit around like a veggie, recovering and not moving much, how can I be doing the exercises and stretches I should, to help the thoracic spine..?
My second concern is, is the rest of my lumbar/sacral spine now going to take on a huge load due to the fusion above it, and my discs degenerate faster/ more pain? and will the rest of me, my hips shoulders, knees, be all out of kilter and in pain, since their lifelong balance is gone?
I don't really know how big or long this proposed fusion is, but i guess the shorter, the less your range of motion is compromised is good, since I love to be athletic -- I do ultimate frisbee, I lift weights, I bike, I swim, I stretch, and i am so sick of pain but I am so scared of losing my athletic abilty.
I am forty, single, two kids, in the middle of a career change. THis surgery would happen in December, when each of my parents can take about a month to come help me..
ideas folks?
So these are my concerns and questions: Won't my thoracic curve sort of go bonkers when it's buddy is gone -- it is there to "compensate" or balance out the bigger curve, so what typically happens next...? And when I am having to sit around like a veggie, recovering and not moving much, how can I be doing the exercises and stretches I should, to help the thoracic spine..?
My second concern is, is the rest of my lumbar/sacral spine now going to take on a huge load due to the fusion above it, and my discs degenerate faster/ more pain? and will the rest of me, my hips shoulders, knees, be all out of kilter and in pain, since their lifelong balance is gone?
I don't really know how big or long this proposed fusion is, but i guess the shorter, the less your range of motion is compromised is good, since I love to be athletic -- I do ultimate frisbee, I lift weights, I bike, I swim, I stretch, and i am so sick of pain but I am so scared of losing my athletic abilty.
I am forty, single, two kids, in the middle of a career change. THis surgery would happen in December, when each of my parents can take about a month to come help me..
ideas folks?
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