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10 month post-op update

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  • 10 month post-op update

    Hi everyone,

    It's been awhile since I've written. I had an appointment with my surgeon a month ago and he said my fusion looked really good. He's really happy with how everything has turned out. He sent me for an MRI of my neck because my right arm goes numb a lot and I have a lot of nerve pain. I just saw my surgeon again today and he said some of my discs are slightly bulging, but nothing that would cause arm numbness/pain. I do have a very small syrinx in my spine, but this has been there for at least 3 years. My surgeon suggested I see a neurologist to have an EMG done on both arms. I'm reluctant to go. It will probably end up being something that can't be fixed. I still need to think about it.

    I've been having neck pain issues so I asked my surgeon if he did partial hardware removal. He said he would remove around T1-T4 if that's what I wanted to do, but I need to wait until the end of the year. I'm seriously considering it. I think this would greatly decrease my neck pain.

    At this point, it's looking unlikely that I'm allergic to the titanium rods which is very good! My scar is still extremely flaky in some areas but the rash that I had on my lower back is pretty much gone.

    Other than all of that, I'm doing well and trying to exercise more. I'm graduating May 2nd from college too!

    Shell
    Chemist, 30

    1998- 18 degrees
    2003- 33 degrees
    2005- 37 degrees
    2006- 44 degrees
    May 2007- 47 degrees
    December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

    Surgery May 27, 2008
    Fused T1 to L2
    Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

  • #2
    Shell-- thanks so much for the update. Sorry it isn't all good news, but it sounds like you are finding out things and making progress that way. And that's super that your surgeon thinks the fusion itself is doing well.

    I think I owe you an email and will try to catch up sometime soon. In the meantime, know that I'm thinking of you and am so excited that you are just about to graduate! Yay!
    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
      Hi Shell

      Congrats on becoming a chemist! "the hard way" LOL I had quite a bit of improvement from the 10 month onwards. Hopefully your neck issues will improve with more time.

      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        Thanks for the support Susie and Ed! I hope things continue to improve. Lately I've been in more pain (similar to the pain I had 5 months post-op) but it could be from exercising.

        Shell
        Chemist, 30

        1998- 18 degrees
        2003- 33 degrees
        2005- 37 degrees
        2006- 44 degrees
        May 2007- 47 degrees
        December 2007 - 50 degrees X-ray

        Surgery May 27, 2008
        Fused T1 to L2
        Curve corrected to 15 degrees X-ray

        Comment


        • #5
          Shell,

          I'm sorry you're having more pain. I find that if I don't exercise for a while and then start, I get those terrible muscle spasms that last a few days. So I guess the best thing is to be regular about the exercise!!

          Take care of yourself,
          __________________________________________
          Debbe - 50 yrs old

          Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
          Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

          Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
          Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
          Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

          Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
          Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

          Comment

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