Need Northern California doctor - new here too!

[SusanS]

Hi,

I've got curves in the 90's and 70's, have lived with it for years but am now experiencing numbness in my legs, pain and other problems. I'm 51 now, and I suppose I can't put it off much longer.

I am an avid horseback rider, and very worried that I won't be able to ride anymore. Anyone who has experience returning to horseback competition I would love to hear from, not serious competition, just weekend recreation.

The MAIN thing, though, is I am hoping to find an excellent surgeon. I'm travelling to Oregon next week to meet with one who corrected a friend's back, but I would very much like to find someone closer to Petaluma or Sacramento. Any recommendations?

Thanks everyone. Thank goodness for this site!

Susan

[LindaRacine]

Hi Susan...

If you want to see someone in Marin, try Dr. John Gray in Santa Rosa.

Regards,
Linda

[ecnw]

There's the Spine Center at St. Francis Hospital in SF and I believe a location up in Santa Rosa. A lot of doctor's who work in the city also do clinics in Marin and Sonoma counties.
Good Luck, Emily

[Shari]

Hi Susan,

Welcome to this forum!!! Even though this is your 1st post, I can only assume that you have done some reading here. If not, Linda R. is very knowlegable, and it wouldn't hurt to check out any advice she gives.

I can't help you, because I'm in wild and wonderful West Virginia, and I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic. There are great doctor's throughout this country, but I went through a handful before I found the one that I trusted in my heart.

If your search is only beginning, don't settle if you're not completely comfortable and trust your instincts. Good luck in your search!!!

Shari

[bsprings]

Hi Susan-
I had curves worse than yours and had surgery in December of last year. I went to Dr. Boachie in New York, so that won't help you since you want someone close by, but I wanted to let you know that I also ride- I have horses and it is such a big part of my life that I really worried about that before my surgery. My dr. said I can ride after 1 year. I think it is just important to be safe and not ride the "wild" ones anymore. I am fused all the way down and my main concern is that I won't have a great seat anymore because my back won't be flexible, but I have decided that if that means I will have to hunt for a smoother horse that is what I will do. I show so having a good seat is critical. Hope this helps!
Cathie

[berta@aloha.net]

Hi Susan,
If you have Kaiser for insurance, a great surgeon is Dr. Josef Gorek at the Oakland Spine Center. I am 58 and am 5 months post op. I think he did a great job, but I agree with other posts, you have to wait a year no matter what you want to do. Then you have to adapt and do activities that are more gentle.

Good luck in your search.

[LSH]

Hey there, I am 52 and two years out of surgery(had a 70+ degree curve and a few riding accidents from my bad scoliosis balance)-I have had horses as an adult(i only ever wanted to ride but became a physician instead)-my scoliosis was noticeable since I was a kid but my mother told me it was my fault because I didn't stand up straight-right--anywho-My surgeon knew that I was going to keep on with my horses and made me wait a year-which I did in a brace. I was getting back into riding slowly when I was in a car crash and tore my left sacroiliac joint. I also developed a rectocele following surgery (mechanical problem after being fused from T9 to S1). I have recently had that repaired and hopefully will get back on my horses in about 2 weeks. Nothing will keep me off my horses. You need a good trainer or a good friend who rides who realizes that you can ride despite all the problems-there are some great sources like Sally Swift's Centered Riding(she has scoli)-I also hope your horse is your partner-they are the best therapy-I am also on the board of a therapeutic riding facility and will rogers said it best, "nothing is as good for the inside of a man as the outside of a horse"--may the horse be with you--LSH

[crepehanger]

Welcome, Susan-

I don't blame you for wanting a surgeon much closer to home- Good luck with your search and glad to have you in the forum. I am rather impressed with both your and LSH's love of horses. My son bought a beautiful Quarterhorse and I have watched from a distance as he learns to ride and take care of her. I so hope to ride her someday after I am healed... Good luck with everything and keep us posted . Lisa

[SusanS]

Thanks everyone!

Wow, I was away from the computer and didn't realize so many had posted such thoughtful replies! I see now why this forum is so important to everyone.

I saw the doctor in Oregon, who I really liked. Her name is Kathleen Moore, and she's done a fellowship under some scoliosis specialists and I felt good about her. I've seen some other doctors that, quite honestly, I looked them up on the state website to verify they'd actually gone to medical school (it wasn't apparent). At any rate, I'm from Oregon, it is home to me, so doing it up there holds some appeal. I'm seeing someone down here for a second opinion, though, so thanks for suggestions everyone.

Dr. Moore said I would have to have two surgeries (same day) one anterior fusion and then a posterior to place the hardware. I think I'll have to have my spine fused to my pelvis, which I was hoping to avoid in order to have a better riding seat with some degree of flexibility since I actually communicate a lot that way, especially stops, and my horses are really keyed into that. We may have to relearn some cues.

I've had the absolute best attitude about it until today. I got a migraine that melted into being very weepy, especially when I was up at the barn with the horses doing chores after work. I wondered about taking a month off of work prior to surgery just so I could fully immerse in riding and being with the horses, just in case it was my last chance, and then felt badly realizing that there is no way. Terrible self-pity, I'm ashamed to admit! Your posts were perfect, it made me realize that of course I will ride again after a year. They'll be wilder than march hares by then! I'll find someone to keep them tuned up. Actually, I think they know I'm a bit off at the moment, and so they're kind and careful with me.

Anywho, thanks so much to everyone who took the time to respond. It meant a lot to me. I feel much better now!

Susan

[Shari]

Hi Susan,

It's great to hear that you feel better!!! The most important thing this forum has given me is the comfort of knowing I was not alone!!!

Even though we all have different concerns, lives, surgeries and recoveries, when you get to the bottom of it all, we are still the same!!!

I think the emotions this surgery tends to provoke connects us all!!!

Shari