Post-op Immobilization Not Needed with Newer Instrumentation

[ARN010]

Here is a great pediatric chapter:

http://www.springerlink.com/content/...3/fulltext.pdf

Takes a minute to download but some key points:

Kids are different than adults
Post-op immobilization is not needed with the newer hardware

Scroll down to page 240 where it talks about Scoliosis.

**NOTE there is some graphic content for those who are young and/or squeamish**

[ARN010]

Oh, shoot

Darn, the link doesn't work....I guess I was signed in at the Library at work so it opened for me...I'll try to save it in a format small enough to post here. Sorry all; it's a great one.

[Karen Ocker]

This is nothing new. Post-op immobilization stopped long ago because instrumentation enabled early ambulation. Post-op braces- muy surgeon told me are "reminders" not to move in th wrong way while healing as well as protecting the back from environmental jolts.

Before hardware a person had to stay in bed a year-in casts- and not walking while the fusion healed.
That was my early experience with my original surgery.

[Karen Ocker]

This is nothing new. Post-op immobilization stopped long ago because instrumentation enabled early ambulation. Post-op braces- my surgeon told me are "reminders" not to move in th wrong way while healing as well as protecting the back from environmental jolts.

Before hardware a person had to stay in bed a year-in casts-and not walking while the fusion healed.
That was my early experience with my original surgery.

[Pooka1]

I think Karen is correct in thinking this is about post-op bracing.

Modern hardware obviates the need for bracing in the great run of kids at least as far as I know.

I can only recall one kid who was braced after surgery based on testimonials I read here.

[txmarinemom]

Arno,

Nothing new.

Post-op immobilization is obsolete (has been for a while, in all but special cases) for ADULTS with thoracic fusions; it's not just a kid thing. It's mainly lumbar fusions (kids OR adults ... and no - not all in either group) that might require post-op bracing.

As Karen said, a post-op brace is more a "reminder" (i.e., don't bend that way, ya goof!).

The ribcage acts as a natural brace for thoracic only fusions. The ribcage allows VERY little bending through the thoracic area pre-op OR post-op, so a thoracic brace is superfluous.

Regards,
Pam

[ARN010]

Okay, Good

Okay, good, cuz I can't get the darn PDF under 100 KB.....yikes!!!