Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

4 months post op

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • 4 months post op

    Hi I'm new to this site, just came across it recently.
    I was diagnosed at 17 with scoliosis. Can't remember how bad the curve was, just remember it resembling an S. The doctor gave me the impression I was too old to be treated and just recommended physio, which I went to for a while. Just carried on as normal for the next 20yr, had back pain but tried to cope with it.
    Five years ago it got so bad I decided to see a specialist again, I knew the curve was worsening just by looking in the mirror. I now had a thorasic curve of 66 degrees. The surgeon said he could operate but wanted me to have an MRI first as a precaution. Turns out I had a condition called Syringomyelia (fluid inside the spinal chord). The surgeon said he wasn't prepared to operate till I'd seen a neurosurgeon. After another 4 years and 4 MRI scans the two surgeons agreed to operate.
    So at the age of 42 I had anterior and posterior fusion a week apart. The neurosurgeon had to aspirate the cyst during the second stage. Had my shoulder hump reduced during the first stage which was extremely painful. Spent 3 weeks in hospital recovering.
    Been having physio as i was so stiff across the shoulders I couldn't turn or bend at all. but 4 months on I feel great!! Started back at the gym 2 weeks ago. Can't manage to run yet too painful but everything else I can manage fine. I'm not saying I'm back to normal, have to take painkillers still. Some days I feel really crap, but compared to just 2 months ago i feel great.

  • #2
    Welcome!

    Sue-- I'm so glad you found the forum! It's a great place to find support and encouragement... and people who can relate! That's super that you are doing so well-- it should just keep getting better and better as time goes by. It sounds like you had a pretty rough road during the past few years and pretty complicated surgeries, even considering all these are complicated. How long was your fusion (as in levels)??? Keep us posted on how it's going. I think many of us have good days and bad, but forward progress in general. Take care!
    71 and plugging along... but having some problems
    2007 52° w/ severe lumbar stenosis & L2L3 lateral listhesis (side shift)
    5/4/07 posterior fusion T2-L4 w/ laminectomies and osteotomies @L2L3, L3L4
    Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Rush Univ. Medical Center in Chicago

    Corrected to 15°
    CMT (type 2) DX in 2014, progressing
    10/2018 x-rays - spondylolisthesis at L4/L5 - Dr. DeWald is monitoring

    Click to view my pics: pics of scoli x-rays digital x-rays, and pics of me

    Comment


    • #3
      Welcome to the Forum

      Hello Sue,

      Welcome to the Forum. Sorry you did not find this wonderful and supportive resource before your surgery. It sounds like you are making very nice progress. Don't be discouraged if you feel like you have been run over a truck some days -- most of us have those days on occasion. Good Luck!

      Linda W.
      Linda
      Two-stage A/P fusion T6-S1 with lumbar implants June 12 & June 27, 2007 at age 57
      S curve 75+ degrees with kyphosis
      Now 45 degrees and standing 3 inches taller!
      Dr. Frank Rand, New England Baptist Hospital, Boston

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi, welcome, I'm 4 months post op too but with a revision. You'll see a thread called 'december recovery' and it's from a few of us who had our surgeries in december, tracking progress! I'm also back at the gym and taking a little bit of panadol occasionally if I'm getting out and around. Its great that you found this site, it's been a tremendous help to me and many others.
        1994 curve at age 13, 70 degrees, untreated
        2000 Anterior fusion with instrumentation T9-L2, corrected to 36 degrees, 14 degree angle between fused and un-fused thoracic spine.
        2007 26 degrees junctional scoliosis
        Revision surgery, 6th December 2007 T4 to L3, Posterior approach.
        msandham.blogspot.com

        Comment

        Working...
        X