Fed up with pain, surgery next

[Jimbo]

Scoliosis has caused me alot of physical and mental pain for as long as I can remember. Lumbar 38, Thoracic, 25. I have tried all of the non-invasive therapies only to achieve short term positive effects. I am now going to try my hardest to get surgery. My rationale for this decision is that I am still young (26) and reasonably fit and healthy. Also, I just know that this disorder will create many more hardships in my future, even without progession. Anyway, can anybody answer me these questions 3 please :

I got insurance (NIB, AUS) after after AFTER being diagnosed with scoliosis, will the insurance company still cover some, most, any of the cost of surgery as a pre-existing condition?

How much flexability, mobility do you lose with a lumbar spinal fusion?

And finally is there anyone else in here considering surgery if given the option. Through my research I can see that most of these surgeries are very effective, and I do know about the enormity of the surgery, however, isn't it better to be uncomfortable for around a year or 2 rather than the rest of your life!

[nzgirl]

You have to read your policy, as scoliosis was diagnosed prior to the commencement of your policy, it is a pre-existing condition. There may be variations in your insurance policy that mean it's covered after a certain time etc.. I don't know anything about the specifics of your health insurance.

The decision to have surgery is a major one, and lots of people have had good success with surgery. I'm curious to know what you have tried in terms of non-invasive therapy. It takes a long time to build up with exercise, and then you have to keep it up to maintain the results. If there is anything that you could do to avoid surgery, it would be good. There are a lot of people who have had success with pilates, and I have certainly had a reduction in pain following swimming regularly. The indications for surgery other than pain include progression of your curve, and being over 50 degrees. There is no way I'm trying to talk you out of surgery, I completely agree that it is the right option when you have exhausted everything else. The surgery isn't a free pass, as afterwards you still have to maintain your fitness and look after yourself to minimise pain. But everyone is different.

As for the flexibility, you do lose considerable flexibility depending on where they fuse from and to.

[Aussiemum]

Hi Jimbo,

I'm answering your question regarding the health fund as most of the people on here are from the states and won't know anything about our health policies.

Why don't you go and talk to the insurance company personally - do not ring up as they would be more helpful face to face. Yes it is pre-existing - but you could argue the point that a lot of people join health funds with Scoliosis and aren't even aware that they have it.

Secondly - the Health funds only cover the hospital and theatre and the 25% scheduled medical fee. For example, with my daughters recent surgery our health fund covered the hospital and theatre charge 100% - Doctor's and Anethetist fees are $11,360 - out of that Medicare will pay 75% of the scheduled fee and my HCF insurance fund the other 25%. The Gap between the Scheduled fee and what they have charged is short $6,500 which we have to pay out of our own pockets. Ridiculous!!! But then I love Dr Cree so much and what he's done for our daughter - I'd pay him more!!!!

There is also another little windfall - when you do your tax at the end of the year you get back 20% of any medical expenses after the first $1500 - For us this means $1,000 back through our end of year tax.

So even with Health Insurance you still need to find some $$$$ - Plus the cost of Physio, x-rays and medication while in hospital - haven't received those bills yet but know they are on their way.

Your only other bet is to go through the public system and go on the waiting list which could be years.

Hope this helps you out a little - hope it didn't confuse more!

cheers and good luck
Del

[Jimbo]

Thanks for your advise. Aussiemum, thankyou especially, you seem to have a lot of knowledge in this. God bless

[Writer]

Jimbo, before you go under the knife, be sure you have tried all the plausible conservative options.

In Australia one of the most knowledgeable specialists in nonsurgical scoliosis treatment is Narelle Carter-Quinlan. You might contact her for information and advice.

http://narellecq.googlepages.com/

[Mags]

Hi Jimbo

I too live in Sydney and am scheduled to have surgery with Dr Cree on 19th June 2008 at the Mater in Crows Nest.

I initially went to see Professor Michael Ryan at the North Shore Medical Centre and he has done alot of research into scoliosis and seems really knowledgeable. I would recommend seeing him to see if surgery was necessary. Remember any curve over 50 degrees will progress and unfortunately I think only surgery will halt it. The good news is the metalwork they use now is 10-20 times stronger than the Harrington Rods and fusion I had in 1984 (which failed because I have progressed from 32 degrees to 64 degrees).

Let me know how you go
All the best

Mags

[txmarinemom]

... Remember any curve over 50 degrees will progress and unfortunately I think only surgery will halt it.

Not always true.

Mine held at ±53° throughout adulthood. I finally had surgery (on a stable curve) at 39 years old due to increasing pain/protruding discs above the curve.

Regards,
Pam

[Jimbo]

Hey thanks Mags! I am going to see this Dr Vinny Gray on 25th June. Just had an mri done and that looks fine. I have heard Cree is the best in Australia. I may go and see him after for a second opinion.

I really don't think mine will progress, however it doesn't really need to as I am in enough pain already. It is such a tough choice whether to have surgery or not. A part of me just wants to do it and get it over with, yet I have a feeling in the back of my mind that I may end up regretting having the procedure done.

Anyways, the more information, the better. I think I really need to stop thinking about my condition. You kinda get fixated on it, which is not good. I just can't stand knowing that there is a procedure out there that will correct this and not getting it done.

[loves to skate]

Hi Jimbo,
The flexability question - I am fused from L2 to S1. I can no longer touch my toes, but I can bend my knees enough to retrieve things that I have dropped on the floor. I also have lost a little flexability side to side bending, but who needs that anyway. Find out first where you would need to be fused, then you might be able to get a more accurate answer to you question. Pain for me was my motivating factor. I also had 4 ruptured discs and spondylithesis.
Good Luck, Sally

[Mags]

Hi Pam

Not always true.

Mine held at ±53° throughout adulthood.

That's really interesting and heartening.