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pulmonary problems, post polio

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  • pulmonary problems, post polio

    I am headed for surgery on 6/6 and 6/8 with Lenke. I had prior surgeries in the late 80's with Moe and Winter. My surgery is very high risk because of my pulmonary failure. I would love to hear some stories.

  • #2
    I don't have a story to tell about being "high risk" but just wanted to say I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgeries and from what I gather, you're in great hands with Dr. Lenke who is apparently one of the best scoliosis surgeons out there.
    Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
    Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
    Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

    Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
    http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

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    • #3
      Originally posted by Elisa View Post
      I don't have a story to tell about being "high risk" but just wanted to say I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgeries and from what I gather, you're in great hands with Dr. Lenke who is apparently one of the best scoliosis surgeons out there.

      This. Thinking of you!
      Female, age 38
      4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
      currently 64*upper/40*lower
      Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
      now 32*upper/18* lower

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      • #4
        Thank you for your response. I am very anxious. In fact, starting to respond has just shot my anxiety higher. I know that Lenke is great and that he has a good team but my pulmonary function is very bad and I am 68. I am doing this because it offers some hope. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago and my back just started to collapse and my pulmonary function followed.

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        • #5
          Maybe you can explain the respiratory issue more b/c I'm not sure what exactly the problem is.

          Did I dream this, or did I read that you're having 'halo' treatment? Been so busy since we got back from Portland and trying to remember others' details is hard.
          Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
          Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
          Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

          Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



          http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
          http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

          Comment


          • #6
            I will be in halo traction for 10 days prior to surgery. I was in halo traction in the 70's before my 1st surgery and I wore a halo cast after my surgery. Although my spine is fused, Dr. Lenke thinks that a period of time in traction will aid the surgery.
            I have progressive weakening of my breathing muscles do to polio. My vital capacity (lung volume) is 36%. I have too little O2 and too much CO2. It is a fragile balance. I don't expect to die during surgery, but taking me off of the ventilator could be tricky.

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            • #7
              Thanks for explaining and am glad I didn't just dream up the "halo" thing b/c I do tend to think about that a lot since it's still so fresh in my mind from my son's experience. ;-)
              Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
              Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
              Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011

              Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon



              http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
              http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After

              Comment


              • #8
                Low pulmonary function

                Before this type of surgery consultations with the anesthesia team and pulmonologist always take place. A plan is then made just for you. With the spine straightened there is more room for the lungs to expand. Special care is taken to "wean" a person off the ventilator post surgery. In your case it might take a few days rather than hours. Pain relief is most important because, with too much pain a person cannot breathe properly. Being in the ICU is normal and a good safety plan. I definitely, after your surgery, would stay in a rehab hospital for extra pulmonary care and don't go home too soon.

                By the way, if you must be on a ventilator a little longer, don't worry, they will give you some medication to make you indifferent to the whole thing while keeping you safe.

                I trust, you are having this done at a large medical center???
                Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

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                • #9
                  Thank you, Karen. I am having this done with Dr. Lenke at Barnes Jewish in St. Lewis. I plan to call you but I have had many appointments.

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                  • #10
                    Hi,

                    I just wanted to point out that one of the patient stories on Dr. Lenke's website is that of a post polio patient, "Lynn B". I wonder if the office might put you in touch with her if you expressed interest.

                    http://www.spinal-deformity-surgeon....oliosis/7.html

                    I wish you all the best in your upcoming surgery!
                    Kathy
                    46 yrs at surgery, now 50
                    71 degree thoracolumbar curve corrected to 34 degrees
                    8/2/2010 surgery with Dr. Lenke

                    posterior T9 to sacrum with pelvic fixation

                    4 osteotomies and 1 cage
                    http://s1066.photobucket.com/albums/...athK_08022010/

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                    • #11
                      Thank you, Kathy. She has a wonderful story.

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                      • #12
                        I know I'm late posting this, as I'm new to the site. However, I hope all went well with your surgery. I just wanted also for you to know that there is a whole generation of us out there, getting older now, who know that "scoliosis" and "post-polio" belong in the same sentence.

                        From people of my generation who had scoliosis, I remember hearing, "Maybe I had polio and didn't know it." Thank goodness polio is close to off the map now.

                        Aunt M.

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