Hello everyone,
My first time posting and I'm quite excited! I've been reading, inspired, and informed by the forum for a couple of years now. I'll just give a brief history. I'm currently 42 and I wore the Milwaukee brace from ages 11 - 15. Around my mid twenties (after years of waitressing at that point - I do not recommend this with scoliosis). I felt my curves were getting worse and I went to visit the doctor who I had originally seen. He assured (told) me that scoliosis did not progress, he did not x-ray or examing me (but did take his $50 fee). To his defense, I believe that was the belief at that time. More recently, I went to visit a doctor in Philly about my increasing pain (I also feel I have a little trouble breathing at night if I lie on my right side) a few years ago, I did not know surgery was even an option. It was wonderful to learn the choices I now have. Then the work and research began and I found this fantastic forum and finally don't feel like I'm the only one or very few at best.
My first Doc. in Philly recommended a posterior only approach from T-3 to L-2. He did not do bending xrays at that time. About 1 1/2 years ago I went for a second opinion and curve progression update with Dr. Lonner in NYC. He measured my curve at 69 degrees thoracic and 54 degrees lumbar. He did a bending xray as well. He said my lumber corrected to 24 degrees. He recommended Posterior surgery with anterior thoroscopic release from T3 to T10. He did say the anterior release was only to increase flexibility, and if I decided against it the fusion length would not change. To me, there is a big difference in what these doctors are recommending. All things being equal the shorter fusion without the anterior release is my choice. I'm tending not to want the anterior release because I don't think the additional correction is worth the additional risks of an added procedure, but I may not be thinking though that correctly. What I don't know is if my risks of revision surgery increase if I get the shorter fusion. I have decided to go for a third opinion.
I am gathering up all my xrays (I just had new xrays taken in June) and going to visit Dr. Boachie tomorrow. Thanks to this forum!!, I realized I have a top Doc. just a 2 short hours away. I have many questions for him and I'll let you know his thoughts. Of course, if you have any thoughts or questions that might be important to ask him, I'll appreciate that. I realize I'm just emailing the night before my appointment, not giving a lot of time for response.
With warmest regards and happy to finally sign in,
Debra
My first time posting and I'm quite excited! I've been reading, inspired, and informed by the forum for a couple of years now. I'll just give a brief history. I'm currently 42 and I wore the Milwaukee brace from ages 11 - 15. Around my mid twenties (after years of waitressing at that point - I do not recommend this with scoliosis). I felt my curves were getting worse and I went to visit the doctor who I had originally seen. He assured (told) me that scoliosis did not progress, he did not x-ray or examing me (but did take his $50 fee). To his defense, I believe that was the belief at that time. More recently, I went to visit a doctor in Philly about my increasing pain (I also feel I have a little trouble breathing at night if I lie on my right side) a few years ago, I did not know surgery was even an option. It was wonderful to learn the choices I now have. Then the work and research began and I found this fantastic forum and finally don't feel like I'm the only one or very few at best.
My first Doc. in Philly recommended a posterior only approach from T-3 to L-2. He did not do bending xrays at that time. About 1 1/2 years ago I went for a second opinion and curve progression update with Dr. Lonner in NYC. He measured my curve at 69 degrees thoracic and 54 degrees lumbar. He did a bending xray as well. He said my lumber corrected to 24 degrees. He recommended Posterior surgery with anterior thoroscopic release from T3 to T10. He did say the anterior release was only to increase flexibility, and if I decided against it the fusion length would not change. To me, there is a big difference in what these doctors are recommending. All things being equal the shorter fusion without the anterior release is my choice. I'm tending not to want the anterior release because I don't think the additional correction is worth the additional risks of an added procedure, but I may not be thinking though that correctly. What I don't know is if my risks of revision surgery increase if I get the shorter fusion. I have decided to go for a third opinion.
I am gathering up all my xrays (I just had new xrays taken in June) and going to visit Dr. Boachie tomorrow. Thanks to this forum!!, I realized I have a top Doc. just a 2 short hours away. I have many questions for him and I'll let you know his thoughts. Of course, if you have any thoughts or questions that might be important to ask him, I'll appreciate that. I realize I'm just emailing the night before my appointment, not giving a lot of time for response.
With warmest regards and happy to finally sign in,
Debra
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