No surgery for Hemivert.

[pathvet]

Four Orthopedic Surgeons and One Neurosurgeon later... Surgery is a salvage procedure only for my situation- my words, not theirs. There is no possible correction and I am not in severe enough pain to have surgery. I hear over and over that I "compensate so well" that surgery seems unnecessary right now. I am, for the most part, relieved. So... I need some advice for day to day coping. To recap- I am a 30 yo Female and I have an L4 hemivertebra with a greater than 90 degree curve and a compensatory curve that is just as great. Any suggestions on office chairs (a kneeling chair?). Have people found physical therapy helpful? Hydrotherapy? Anything else that helps? Acupuncture? Chiropracters scare me and I would think a massage therapist might also do more harm than good if they weren't properly educated. Any experiences would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Karen Ocker]

No possible correction

Four Orthopedic Surgeons and One Neurosurgeon later... Surgery is a salvage procedure only for my situation- my words, not theirs. There is no possible correction and I am not in severe enough pain to have surgery. I hear over and over that I "compensate so well" that surgery seems unnecessary right now.

pathvet

With 90 deg curves?!#*? Were all these doctors specializing in complex scoliosis???? Or just general orthopedists??? Did you search the forum for hemivertebra???

[Justin]

I thought they could correct the hemivertebrae by doing a osteotomy at the L4 level but that type of procedure may cause neurological problems/is risky neurologically. 90 degrees curve is really high..

I've found physical therapy useless, acupuncture useless. I guess having a hot shower does relieve some pain for me but an ice pack creates more pain.

[pathvet]

The docs

The first surgeons were spine trauma and spinal specialists but i also made it to scoliosis specialists. I understand their concerns. I guess i've lived this way this long- so what's another 30-40-50 years, right?

I guess you are always hopeful that someday you can be repaired and made "normal".

[trulyaries]

Pathvet:
I'm curious: where are you located? Over the years I have tried all of the therapies you mention, and all of them provided temporary relief, but no long lasting effects for me. I personally wasn't fond of chiropractic, but I can't imagine that massage therapy could hurt you. You just need to communicate with your therapist about your condition and concerns. (For instance, I always asked for a pillow under my stomach.)

It's a particular quirk of mine, but I really get worked up when anyone says, about anything: "nothing can be done." To me it's giving up; as far as I'm concerned there's almost always something that can be done! I hate the thought that you have to live with your condition for the rest of your life. Maybe there's more to it than you indicate, but it's hard to believe that those surgeons just washed their hands of trying to help you. Sincere best of luck to you.