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  • Flat Back

    Hi Everyone,

    I don't understand Flat Back. Does it happen only in patients that had spinal fusion years ago with old technology? How do you know if you have flat back? What are the symtoms? Does it just happen or develop over the years?

    Kindest Regards,
    Gail

  • #2
    Hi Gail...

    Unfortunately, the symptoms of flatback are fairly similar to the symptoms of lower back pain. It's very easy, however, for a scoliosis specialist to diagnose flatback by viewing a sagittal plane (from the side) x-ray.

    While it's unusual for someone with newer instrumentation to have flatback, it's not unheard of. It's very difficult for surgeons to create just the right amount of lordosis in a patient who is lying down.

    Flatback can also occur in patients who have poor bone quality, and who suffer fractures in the lumbar spine.

    You can read a great article on flatback here:

    http://www.spineuniverse.com/display...rticle308.html

    I have links to other flatback articles on my website at:

    http://www.scoliosislinks.com/FlatbackontheInternet.htm

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

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    • #3
      Thanks Linda for taking the time to answer my question and provide me with links that visually showed me flat back!

      I am new to this website, but I've noticed you have a wealth of knowledge about scoliosis. You must have some type of medical degree...am I right?

      Kindest Regards,
      Gail

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      • #4
        Gail...

        I only pretend to have a medical degree. ;-) I have absolutely no formal medical training, but I've been involved in scoliosis support for a long time, and have access to lots of surgeons who feed me all sorts of good info.

        I'm glad the sights I mentioned were helpful.

        Regards,
        Linda
        Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
        Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

        Comment

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