Your Thoughts on Surgeon for Major Surgery

[Pt's Daughter]

Hi - my mom is almost 60 and has a major curvature. She is now seriously considering surgery. It would actually be 2 surgeries - one from the front and one from the back, separated by about a week. I agree surgery is probably something she should do but worry because she isn't trying to find a scoliosis specialist. Her orthopedic surgeon in Chicago is named Dr. Schaeffer (sp?). He does do a fair number of scoliosis surgeries and is one of 3 Chicago surgeons who seem to be known in the support group she belongs to. But my feeling is with curvature that advanced, and surgeries so extreme, it would be best to choose a surgeon who is a scoliosis specialist. She doesn't think it's that important. For second opinions, she has been going to the Mayo Clinic, but plans to let Dr. Schaeffer do the surgeries, especially since we live in Chicago and she doesn't want to have to travel after a surgery, which is understandable. If anyone has been in her shoes and chose to have surgery, I'd really appreciate some feedback on your experience choosing a surgeon and any other input you have. Thanking you in advance....

Helen

[bsprings]

I am 45 and in the process of choosing a surgeon- I believe alot depends on the severity of the curve. Mine is 90 degrees. I believe it is SO important to choose wisely. I had an appt with Dr. Bridwell in St Louis last week and am going to Dr. Boachie in New York next week. I have found that some surgeons may be good at some procedures but if it is more complicated it will pay to be picky! I have read alot about both the surgeons I mentioned and my doctor here even recommended them for a 2nd opinion. Good luck!

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

Dr. Schafer is a scoliosis specialist:

http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp?mode=search

--Linda

[Pt's Daughter]

Wow! Well, that certainly puts me at ease - thank you so much. If anyone else still wants to comment on any of the process, please feel free as my mom and I would love to hear any additional thoughts. Her curvature is in the 80's. Thank you again! - Helen

[magicman]

I would strongly suggest getting a second opinion. Also given your mother's relatively advanced age I would definitely try and locate a 'genuine' scoliosis specialist who deals with adult cases on a regular basis. I would not choose someone who does not specialise in spinal deformity or spinal problems. Surgey is more complex in adults and the surgery is tougher on adults with a much higher rate of complications than in teenagers. I suspect that most surgeons would try and avoid surgery on a 60 yr old if possible. The only justification I guess would be if there was a significant risk of health problems in the coming years.

From rereading the above posts it does look as if your mother's surgeon is an expert in this field. Have you asked what the consequences might be if your mother doesn't have surgery? It sounds like it's a case of having to bite the bullet but I would check this out if you haven't already done so.

[Pt's Daughter]

Her rib cage is twisted and there is a chance of breathing difficulty when she's older if her back keeps curving. All through her adult life she has expected it to finally stabilize but it hasn't yet. Right now her main problem is finding a really comfortable sleeping position, though she doesn't describe that as pain yet. A couple years ago she was having minor pain and numbness in one foot after walking/shopping but she got down to an ideal weight for her height and those subsided. If she knew these would be the only problems for her down the line, she wouldn't consider surgery. But she has been told that her window of opportunity for having surgery is almost closed - a couple more years, max. And that scares her because she has met some people who can no longer have surgery and are on meds for chronic pain now. It is such a difficult choice to make.

[CHRIS WBS]

I beg your pardon. Don't you know that 60 is the new "40" these days? Relatively advanced age sounds like 80. Just this weekend I spoke to a patient referral from a Chicago surgeon who had scoliosis surgery six years ago at age 59. She is fused from T-1 to the pelvis. She had such an amazing recovery, she was back at work after only three weeks.

Chris

[Pt's Daughter]

Right on, Chris! Thanks for reminding us that 60 is still young. Could I ask which surgeon did the T1 - pelvis surgery in Chicago?

[magicman]

Chris, my comment was not intended to imply that the lady in question was ancient. It is undeniable that adults have a tougher time with this surgery than teenagers. A 60 yr old will on average tolerate the surgery less well than a 35 yr old. When considering surgery the age of the patient is one factor that a doctor will be taking into account. Of course it is not the only issue but it is mistaken to pretend that your age does not matter.

[CHRIS WBS]

PT's Daughter,

That would be Dr. Pernendu Gupta at the University of Chicago Hospitals. If you do a search here, you will find other favorable comments about this surgeon. Please keep in mind that the woman I spoke with mentioned that she is a very physical person...downhill and cross-country skier...which obviously helped in her rapid recovery. However, I have spoken with another patient of his who is the same age and had as extensive of a surgery, and she too is doing quite well two years post-op.

Chris

[Pt's Daughter]

Thanks again to everyone. I really appreciate all the feedback here and the dialogue as well. I know that every surgery is unique and no one can guarantee a great outcome. But the more information gathered, the better informed of a decision that can be made and that's my goal. I've made alot of new inquiries and searches in just the last couple days thanks to ideas presented here.

- Helen

[sweetness514]

She had such an amazing recovery, she was back at work after only three weeks.

Chris

Whoa. As amazing as that sounds it reminds me of how it's good to take time to relax in life and taking time to heal to a certain degree. Life is good, even when you stop to think. It's even better IMO.

[Karen Ocker]

I had my surgery @60

Why? Because I felt my scoliosis was causing me to die slowly. I had no other medical problems other than that related to scoliosis--reduced breathing capacity and reduced stomach capacity(I got out of breath after a full meal!!!) because my triple curves compressed my trunk to the point my stomach pressed against my diaphragm.
pre-op curves: C30/T80/L40 AND progressing. Post -op T 40/L20

This is a very personal choice. I am now able to work and live a productive life at 64.

What helped me was talking to patients in my age group with similar stories. Most surgeons will give you the names if you ask.

Don't listen to anyone without expertise or experience with cases similar to yours because you will get misinformation and fear-mongering.

My neighbor's mom is miserable in her early 80S from her scoliosis which
progressed over her lifetime and was not addressed earlier. She is in constant pain but was not so until a few years ago.