Need a little 411

[BackTalk]

I am now a year and a few months out from receiving my brand new shinny (I think) hardware fused from my Ileum-T2. Wow did that make it hard to bend.
Ok enough of the jokes for a while. Here is what is happening to me. Some where just below the last big ped screws on each side that anchor this whole mess together, I am just on fire. I am a 60 year old male 6'1" and weigh in at 120 lbs now. The reason for the weight is because I have Celiac Disease ( allergic to wheat) which is a complete different story. You can see and count each and every screw in my back. That's how thin I have gotten. In the last couple of months I have started to be pulled or become stooped over at the waste below the hardware. I can not seem to be able to thrust my hips forward and stand straight. When I first get up in the morning I'm in a good deal of pain ( as you all are ) but at this point I am completely straight at the waste and I can thrust my hips forward with out much problem. Now, with in 1 - 2 hours after I am up and moving around the pulling starts with pain like I never had and I stoop at the waste for the rest of the day. I haven't laid this on the doctor yet, but I was wondering if anyone has experienced this and what was the cause?
This has been a long post just to get to that question, but hay, I don't have anything to do at 5 AM. I am looking forward in hearing what your thoughts are.
Oh, by the way. Getting old isn't for sissies.
Jess

[Theresa]

Hi Jess,

Are you able to get your back somewhat straight if you bend your knees? Your description of yourself sounds like me before my recent surgery. I had flatback (http://espine.com/flatback.html). It could be that your balance is off somewhere. When you get to the bottom of the article, you'll see a link to click on to see some actual cases. Also click on the different topics in the white boxes on the left for alot for information. Hope this helps you out in trying to see what could be wrong. Of course, the only way to tell for sure is to see a scoliosis doctor.

[BackTalk]

Well Holy Crap. That is exactly what is going on. About 8 years ago my first go round was fusion from L1-L5 now the whole spine. You mentioned "when bending at the knees" When I bend my knees my back becomes totally straight. My last surgery a year ago was ofer 17 hours so needless to say I would be scared to death to go through another surgery.
Thank you for the 411. I will be headed to my spine surgeon next week.
Jess

[BackTalk]

Just got back from the Dr. and in one way it was great news. I don't have Flat Back. The down side is I broke my rods in 3 places and one of the cross rod thingies. The left side rod is floating loose now and it sticks into the muscle and polks a nerve now and again. The up side is they can repair everything from the back and not have to go threw the front, and, it is only a 4 hour surgery. I am so happy it isn't the flatback thing. That sounded like real problems to fix. I will try to load a picture I took with my cell phone, you will be able to see the arrows I put in to show where they broke.
Well looks like another summer down the pooper again, although it sure could have been worse.
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e232/jlazyh/tn_broken.jpg

[Theresa]

Jess,

I'm glad you found out what is wrong! I agree 100% with your description of the summer. This is my 3rd summer "down the pooper" in the last 4 years due to back surgeries. Hopefully, this was the last!