Something some may not know ...

[txmarinemom]

After fusion surgery, your correction continues to improve for ±6 months.

As your body adjusts to its new posture, and relaxes, compensatory curves begin to straighten out.

Here's a view of mine I've created beginning with pre-op. You can tell a slight difference in the 3 weeks to 8 weeks post-op views (note the bottom of the hardware has moved to the right ).

I'll keep adding x-rays as they're taken. Interesting, eh?

Just a little bonus to look forward to afterwards!

Regards,
Pam

[CHRIS WBS]

Pam,

You are fortunate to have benefited from this surgery now rather than later. You avoided a long fusion and seemingly have had a relatively easy recovery. And even though you mention that your curve had remained stable for years, that probably would have changed once you entered menopause. That’s when I began to notice height loss and my body changing. Had I known even 10 years ago that help was available, I would have sought treatment long before now. Congratulations on a very successful surgical outcome!

Chris

[trulyaries]

Very cool!

Pam - those comparison xrays are very cool! You can really see the progression when they're side by side. I have been meaning for years to do some kind of multi-media artwork with my xrays and other paraphanelia from my surgeries, so maybe this will inspire me to get started. Enough procrastinating. I remember years ago seeing some paintings that a woman with scoliosis did of her back. If I find it again I'll post the link.

Chris - my troubles with my back started after menopause also, but I never really connected the two. All of the bodily changes that came with menopause were a bit shocking to me, when I stand sideways and look just like those aging progression pictures in the medical books! You know what I mean? Sometimes I wish I had had something done with my back many years ago, but then again I figure the chances are good I would have had Harrington rods and have to go through revision surgery now anyway.

It's not a very profound motto, but I just keep saying "It is what it is" and try to deal with the here and now.

[txmarinemom]

Chris and Felicia ...

You both brought up some important points I've considered since I decided to have surgery ...

IF I'd decided 10 years ago (the pain was bad then) I'd have gone through a surgery with ISOLA or Moss-Miami rods, done by a non-SRS doctor (I didn't know what I do now) and most likely would not have gotten the same results. The last surgeon I talked to (just a spinal ortho) in '97 wanted to do an anterior release on me for the same curve! When he started talking about the cardiac surgeon (to move my heart and diaphragm) I went "Whooooaaaa. It hurts, but I'll deal with it.".

The hormone thing (at menopause or otherwise) is interesting ... I need to find the stuff that passed the scoliosis-medical Yahoo group on that topic. There is some proof there's a connection ...

(and, Chris ... surgery for you, post menopause ... today, with current techniques - I honestly believe will leave you with better results )

I saved it ... but now ... where did I PUT it? LOL ...

[Susie*Bee]

cool x-rays!

Yes, thanks for sharing the info and x-rays -- they are very interesting!

My real difficulties in dealing with major back pain/aches began at or near menopause also... along with the arthritis, degenerative disc disease, stenosis, etc., compounding the problems-- although I had scoliosis dx'd a long time before that. And sometime in the last 20 years I shrank close to 2.5 inches... and didn't realize I was THAT much shorter till recently. I know I've read about a menopause and increase in scoli problems connection.

[ElleBelleCurvz]

That's interesting...I can see that the un-fused part at the bottom is still a bit curved but MUCH straighter wtg, its good to see the fusion up close and after affects (and i like the idea of posting ur xrays when you get them) Im hoping I wont ever need the surgery but its always nice to see that your options arent too closed and life isnt over if you get the fusion! (im still avoiding as much as possible, dont worry ) Cant wait to see the next, and I hope you continue to enjoy your new straight spine!

ps this has been asked before but HOW do you get your xrays? Not that i have much interest in having mine now , but it interests me for the future, or is it only if you've had the fusion that you get to take them with? Thanks for any answers and sorry about piggybacking!

[Wishing]

Fascinating Pam. That is really interesting. I did not know that. Beautiful correction and nice jewelry too.

[txmarinemom]

Danielle,

Any time you get digital x-rays, just ask your ortho's office to give them to you on CD ... they should come as jpegs.

And, yep, lil' buddy ... I hope you never need fusion either!

[txmarinemom]

Fascinating Pam. That is really interesting. I did not know that. Beautiful correction and nice jewelry too.

Thanks

... but, jewelry?

[ElleBelleCurvz]

lol, yeah im interested too in the Jewelery?? Do u mean the rods and screws perhaps??? lol

[txmarinemom]

Yeah ... my first thought was "I took all the body jewelry out!" - lol ...

[Wishing]

Yea. All that nice looking metal stuff that keeps it all together. It's amazing what the doctors can do these days.

[samsmom]

Another interesting surprise!

My daughter Samantha had her surgery on 2/5/08 as well. She grew about 2" when she was measured for her 2 week check up. At her 8 week check up she gained another 1/2". That was a big surprise. I did not realize that there would be more growth, but the doctor said that everything is tight and that when the muscles start to loosen that it is common for them to become slightly taller.

[txmarinemom]

My daughter Samantha had her surgery on 2/5/08 as well. She grew about 2" when she was measured for her 2 week check up. At her 8 week check up she gained another 1/2". That was a big surprise. I did not realize that there would be more growth, but the doctor said that everything is tight and that when the muscles start to loosen that it is common for them to become slightly taller.

Heya, Michele! Haven't seen you around

Yep ... I didn't know it either until vndy told me a while back.

That's so cool my lil' twinner got 2-1/2" ... I'm jealous! (of course you know I'm kidding ... I just don't know where mine went ... I got cheated, man! )

Hanson did say it's much more difficult to predict height increase post-fusion in adults vs. kids, and I keep forgetting to get measured (I have important stuff to ask regarding shotguns and saltwater fishing ... I can't remember to do *everything* - LOL!), so I really have no idea HOW tall I am now. The 1/4" increase was measured at my mom's on her doctor's scale - and that was ±4 weeks post op.

Regards,
Pam

[samsmom]

Hi Pam,

We made a big black mark on the door jamb with a sharpie marker for "your twinner" before we left for the hospital and one when she came home. Sure enough she is now about 1/2 " taller. I thought I was imagining it, but it was confirmed at the doctors office during her 6 week check up. We proudly show that mark to everyone who comes in. Looks like we'll never paint now!
- Michele