one step ahead three steps back :(

[megz]

So I had an appointment today at the spine center..I thought I was seeing a pain management Dr., but ended up seeing a spine surgeon. ((I see Dr. Rand on Sept 14)) He told me that my rip is resting on my pelvic bone..This is what is causing this burning pain I am feeling..He says that I would need surgery to stop the curve from continuing but its not any hurry..I got to meet his partner and he examined me as well..They told me they were not worried about reducing the correction but alleveating the pain..Ok this is great that they will get rid of the pain but I was really hoping they would correct some of this curve. They don't even seem to worry about this curve. The doctor gave me this look and told me "well I can correct your curve to 0 but your not gonna be walking outta the hospital" OMG!! totally rude!? I HATE my body!! HATE HATE HATE the way it looks. I was hoping if I was going to go through all this pain that it would some what atleast look some what normal after this and they don't give me any sort of hope of that happening..I drove home sobbing..Do I give up or do I just stick it out with Dr. Rand and see what he says?! B/c I don't see anyone bragging about these people on the forums.

[LindaRacine]

Hi...

Unless you're unusual in some way, you should get significant correction during surgery. If the surgeon you saw yesterday is not going to get correction, I would definitely run the other way. You'd be in great hands with Dr. Rand.

Regards,
Linda

[megz]

I was mortified when he told me they were not worried about the curve..they were going to fuse it so it wouldnt get any worse..he said if there were any correction it would be less than 10 degrees?! Am I missing something..how do some doctors pull off 20 degrees or more..I was not impressed.

[LindaRacine]

I was mortified when he told me they were not worried about the curve..they were going to fuse it so it wouldnt get any worse..he said if there were any correction it would be less than 10 degrees?! Am I missing something..how do some doctors pull off 20 degrees or more..I was not impressed.

If I had to guess, I'd say there's either something unusual about your curve (it's really big, so there could be some issues), or the surgeon you saw doesn't specialize in scoliosis.

--Linda

[CHRIS WBS]

Unless you're unusual in some way, you should get significant correction during surgery.

I did not get significant correction. When these curves are very big and rigid, I think the most you can hope for is roughly 50% correction. I know a woman who had surgery by Dr. Bridwell for her 80+ curvature at age 61 and she said she really doesn’t look that much different than before her surgery. The very first surgeon I saw (who is an active SRS member) told me the same thing, that I should not expect to get any correction. The second surgeon I saw told me about 50% and that’s approximately what I got. Additionally, I think an experienced surgeon will strive more for good balance than a significant correction.

[asccbodypro]

My surgeon told me first and foremost they would concetrate on balancing me even if they couldn't correct the curve. He could correct the curve he was just giving me the priority of things. I had a 50 degree lumbar curve with a 5 centimeter shift of the spine with lots of rotation. I look pretty darn straight on my x-rays. I haven't even bothered to ask about what degree I am corrected to because I look so straight.

I would find another doc if you were so unhappy leaving the office. You need to trust that your surgeon has your best interest at heart. This doesn't seem to be the case. Make sure to go with your list of questions as well. That way you stay on point and make sure you get your questions answered and don't move on until you feel they have been answered fully. Good luck. That Dr. sounds like a jerk!!!! Sorry you had to deal with that.

[johnsonbunch]

The amount of correction you can expect is directly related to the amount of flexibility you have prior to surgery. If you can bend your back or have someone push and get the curve to straighten out, that's what you can expect. Of course they also have to balance top and bottom, so they might have to do less in order to balnce with your second more rigid curve.

There are plenty of scoliosis specialists out there. Don't get involved with a surgeon that deals with ruptured discs and has never done a scolioisis correction. Forget this jerk. Wait for Dr. Rand's appt. It's only a couple more weeks. And for better advice in the future, post your curve degrees and what vertabraes he suggests for correction.

[loves to skate]

I did not get significant correction. When these curves are very big and rigid, I think the most you can hope for is roughly 50% correction. I know a woman who had surgery by Dr. Bridwell for her 80+ curvature at age 61 and she said she really doesn’t look that much different than before her surgery. The very first surgeon I saw (who is an active SRS member) told me the same thing, that I should not expect to get any correction. The second surgeon I saw told me about 50% and that’s approximately what I got. Additionally, I think an experienced surgeon will strive more for good balance than a significant correction.

If I remember correctly Chris, you are one of us older gals. I think you were very fortunate that you got a 50% correction. I didn't get much of a correction and that is OK with me because I got an improved lumbar lordosis and good balance. I believe Megz is a whole lot younger that we are and I would hope she can get at least a 50% correction.

Megz, I don't know who you saw and where you saw them, but don't give up until you see Dr. Rand. Were they SRS members?

Keep your chin up Megz, we are pulling for you.

Sally

[megz]

I just got off the phone with my mom lol She was with me when I was at the Dr's I was asking her why he said I wouldn't be able to get a correction because I am "stiff" How the hell you can find out that I am stiff by measuring my feet is beyond me!! Is there away to unstiffen myself lol.. Has anyone else heard of Ribs rubbing against the pelvic bone? Im not going to really take to heart what this Dr. said..I have alot of appreciation for Dr.Rand and know he is well known..These are the Dr.s I saw.

http://www.umassmemorial.org/SystemI...etail&ref=1714

http://www.umassmemorial.org/SystemI...detail&ref=811

it was really discouraging for them to tell me they wouldn't be able to get any correction..I know the main solution is to probably allevate the pain. IDK =/

[jrnyc]

Dear megz
any doctor who upsets you that much is not one you ever want to go to or take at his word...you have waited so long for dr rand, that i think you should just wait for that appt, & ask then about the degree of correction question....especially if he will be your surgeon! it is so important to trust the person who will have your life in their hands if you have surgery!
i feel so bad that anyone could make you so distraught...
i have been to wonderful pain doctors & surgeons (including neuwirth & lonner) who have so much compassion, concern, & who take their time to explain everything...that is what you deserve in a doctor!!!

forget that visit if you can..you wont have surgery with them, so chalk it up to a lousy visit & their lack of bedside manner & lack of knowledge!

you deserve the best!
jess

[debbei]

I just got off the phone with my mom lol She was with me when I was at the Dr's I was asking her why he said I wouldn't be able to get a correction because I am "stiff" How the hell you can find out that I am stiff by measuring my feet is beyond me!! Is there away to unstiffen myself lol.. Has anyone else heard of Ribs rubbing against the pelvic bone? Im not going to really take to heart what this Dr. said..I have alot of appreciation for Dr.Rand and know he is well known..These are the Dr.s I saw.

http://www.umassmemorial.org/SystemI...etail&ref=1714

http://www.umassmemorial.org/SystemI...detail&ref=811

it was really discouraging for them to tell me they wouldn't be able to get any correction..I know the main solution is to probably allevate the pain. IDK =/

Did this doctor you saw have 'bending xrays' done at your appointment? That's how they can tell how 'stiff' you are. My top curve was more rigid based on the bending Xrays. Both surgeons I saw guessed that I could get 50% correction and tha's what I got. My bottom curve was more flexible, but they woldn't totally straighten out that curve because then I'd be unbalanced. Generally, the older you are, the more rigid the curve.

Good luck Megz. If he gave you this info without bending Xrays, I would, as Linda said, run the other way.

[First Mate]

Hi Megz,
I'll echo the others when I tell you to TRY not think too much about it until you see Dr. Rand. He ordered a bending x-ray on me to see if I was flexible said I was. I'm 65. To do the x-ray you lay on your back and they put pillows under your spine. GOOD LUCK!
Kathy

[Jo 71-09]

I didn't see anything about scoliosis in the links you sent on these Drs. It says they are spine surgeons, but doesn't specify scoliosis. Dr Rand specializes in scoliosis surgery and he's wonderful. You've waited this long to see him, what's a couple more weeks? Keep your chin up and see what
Dr Rand says.

[loves to skate]

I just got off the phone with my mom lol She was with me when I was at the Dr's I was asking her why he said I wouldn't be able to get a correction because I am "stiff" How the hell you can find out that I am stiff by measuring my feet is beyond me!! Is there away to unstiffen myself lol.. Has anyone else heard of Ribs rubbing against the pelvic bone? Im not going to really take to heart what this Dr. said..I have alot of appreciation for Dr.Rand and know he is well known..These are the Dr.s I saw.

http://www.umassmemorial.org/SystemI...etail&ref=1714

http://www.umassmemorial.org/SystemI...detail&ref=811

it was really discouraging for them to tell me they wouldn't be able to get any correction..I know the main solution is to probably allevate the pain. IDK =/

Megz, Neither of these Doctors are scoliosis specialists and are not SRS Members. I can't believe they didn't refer you to an adult scoliosis specialist. Who sent you to these guys? Ignore them!!!

To answer your question about the ribs rubbing on the pelvis, yes that is very possible. You definitely need bending x-rays to help the Doctor determine if he can give you a correction and how much. When I had my bending x-rays, they had me bending in all different directions. It was somewhat painful, but you do get through it.

September 14th will be here before you know it.
Sally

[CHRIS WBS]

If I remember correctly Chris, you are one of us older gals. I think you were very fortunate that you got a 50% correction. I didn't get much of a correction and that is OK with me because I got an improved lumbar lordosis and good balance. I believe Megz is a whole lot younger that we are and I would hope she can get at least a 50% correction.

Who? Me? At 60 I’m just a spring chicken. I consider myself VERY fortunate. I got through this surgery with absolutely no complications or lingering effects, and my surgeon was able to accomplish it all in one surgery. I have to admit, at one point I was a little concerned that this may have put me at greater risk for pseudoarthrosis, but at my one-year checkup everything was looking good. I’ve been blessed.