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Does anyone know a great spine surgeon in the Chicago area?

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  • Does anyone know a great spine surgeon in the Chicago area?

    My 14 yr. old was just diagnosed with scoliosis. Her spine is 63 degrees. Does anyone know of a great surgeon in the Chicago area, or can anyone tell me about Shriners Hospital? Are they the best when it comes to spines? Any input would really be appreciated. Thanks.

  • #2
    Hi Karen,

    I do not have personal experience with any of the doctors at the Chicago Shriners Hospital but one of the things that Shriners Hospitals is known to specialize in is scoliosis.

    Our experience has been at Phildelphia Shriners Hospital and the care (for the past 7+ years) has been superb. By all accounts, the Chicago Shriners Hospital is top notch as well, but like I said, I have no first hand experience - just accounts from other parents whose children were treated there.

    Best of luck to you and please keep us posted.
    mariaf305@yahoo.com
    Mom to David, age 17, braced June 2000 to March 2004
    Vertebral Body Stapling 3/10/04 for 40 degree curve (currently mid 20's)

    https://www.facebook.com/groups/ScoliosisTethering/

    http://pediatricspinefoundation.org/

    Comment


    • #3
      Well it's not in Chicago, but would St. Louis Missouri be too far for you? Dr. Lawrence Lenke is a very good surgeon - not sure if he takes children but if he doesn't I'm sure he has a fellow in his practice that does. Hope you find someone!
      Laurie Anne
      Age 30
      Pre-Op Curves T68, L80, Kyphosis 48 degrees
      Post-Op Curves both around 10 degrees
      Surgery with Dr. Lenke & Dr. Kelly 12/13/10
      Gained 2.5 inches now 5'9
      PRE-OP Photos: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...urieScoliosis/
      5 Mos Post Op: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...s%20Post%20Op/
      1-Year Post Op: http://s1080.photobucket.com/albums/...r%20Post%20Op/

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by karenk View Post
        My 14 yr. old was just diagnosed with scoliosis. Her spine is 63 degrees. Does anyone know of a great surgeon in the Chicago area, or can anyone tell me about Shriners Hospital? Are they the best when it comes to spines? Any input would really be appreciated. Thanks.
        Karenk,

        Here are three great surgeons in Chicago.

        http://www.weisshospital.com/medical...ans_Gupta.aspx

        http://www.rushortho.com/christopher_dewald.cfm

        http://www.rushortho.com/KW_Hammerberg.cfm

        Dr. Gupta performed my scoliosis surgery three years ago when I was 59. I have a long fusion and I experienced no post-op complications whatsoever and have done very well. He has a great bedside manner too.

        These doctors do surgeries at Shriners, and as you can see, Dr. Hammerberg is now a full-time staff member there. There are forum members here who have had surgeries by these doctors with excellent results. Good luck.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by karenk View Post
          My 14 yr. old was just diagnosed with scoliosis. Her spine is 63 degrees. Does anyone know of a great surgeon in the Chicago area, or can anyone tell me about Shriners Hospital? Are they the best when it comes to spines? Any input would really be appreciated. Thanks.
          Hi,

          I had a spinal fusion for my scoliosis a little over a year ago at Shriners Children's Hospital in Chicago. Dr. Kim Hammerberg was my surgeon. All I can say is that I wouldn't want to go to any other hospital after my experience! They are so good with kids and teens. Dr. Hammerberg is one of the best, and he has so much experience. The nurses are so friendly and helpful. I have a blog that gives a lot of info that you should look into. Hope it helps! http://scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com/

          Katie
          Katie

          My blog: http://scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com/
          My video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NG9hMohsU0

          5 Boston back braces
          Spinal fusion- Nov. 17, 2009, senior year of high school
          52 and 57 degrees pre-surgery, 22 and 20 degrees post-surgery
          Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Shriners Children's Hospital, Chicago
          Back into volleyball and music as a senior in college!

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by karenk View Post
            My 14 yr. old was just diagnosed with scoliosis. Her spine is 63 degrees. Does anyone know of a great surgeon in the Chicago area, or can anyone tell me about Shriners Hospital? Are they the best when it comes to spines? Any input would really be appreciated. Thanks.
            Can't help you with a great surgeon in the Chicago area but did want to comment that recently my son had two scoliosis surgeries as well as four-weeks halo/weight traction at the Shriners Hospital in Portland Oregon and they were all around superb. My son and I lived at the hospital for five weeks during the whole process so I got to see a lot of daily stuff and I was thoroughly impressed. I'd definitely recommend looking into Shriners in your area.
            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


            • #7
              Thank you all so much for the help

              Thanks guys for your help. My daughter has an appointment July 22nd at Shriners hospital. I hope that means she is accepted there for treatment. I was concerned that Shriners Hospital would turn her down because she has a major heart defect. Also reading your stories gives me great hope. I am so glad you guys are doing so well. The info you have given me was very helpful. Thanks so much.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by karenk View Post
                Thanks guys for your help. My daughter has an appointment July 22nd at Shriners hospital. I hope that means she is accepted there for treatment. I was concerned that Shriners Hospital would turn her down because she has a major heart defect. Also reading your stories gives me great hope. I am so glad you guys are doing so well. The info you have given me was very helpful. Thanks so much.
                Here's a random suggestion. I asked my mom to take pictures before and after surgery, through the whole process, and at each mile stone. I'm SO glad! At times she didn't take pictures because she just couldn't (you get really swollen right after surgery). But I have been able to put together a video and a blog that has helped others. Plus, I can look back and see how far I've come. Just a suggestion. I hope the surgery goes well, and I know you will LOVE Shriners! Praying for you all!
                Last edited by braceyourself; 06-13-2011, 09:15 PM.
                Katie

                My blog: http://scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com/
                My video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8NG9hMohsU0

                5 Boston back braces
                Spinal fusion- Nov. 17, 2009, senior year of high school
                52 and 57 degrees pre-surgery, 22 and 20 degrees post-surgery
                Dr. Kim Hammerberg, Shriners Children's Hospital, Chicago
                Back into volleyball and music as a senior in college!

                Comment


                • #9
                  That's a really good suggestion Katie. I do think it's helpful to be able to document how far we've come.

                  --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


                  • #10
                    Hi Braceyourself! Dr. Hammerberg was my surgeon too, but over at Rush (I am ages and ages older than you!) I also had a wonderful experience. Now that he has decided, after splitting his time all these years between Rush and Shriners, to work totally at Shriners, I will miss him. But now I will have his former partner, who is also highly esteemed-- Dr. Christopher DeWald. I will get to meet him in August.

                    I did something similar, only a bit more old fashioned-- my husband took pictures-- at the blood bank, lots at the hospital, and during my recovery at various stages. I made them all into a scrapbook. I even have some of the forum members in it. (Like Ti Ed out scuba diving...) I put the forum in because it was such an important part of my recovery! I took a glance at your blog and it looks like you have done a wonderful job. Way to go!!!

                    Karenk-- I am sure that all of the surgeons at the Chicago Shriners are top-notch and you would get very good care. I know that Dr. H has years and years of experience and has kept up with all the latest in techniques. You used to be able to access his curriculum vitae through the Rush Memorial Medical Center website, but now that he's no longer there, I'm not sure how to get that. He was one of the associate professors there at Rush, as well as having his practice, so he instructed doctors working on their fellowships in the field of scoliosis surgery. He also has written a number of articles, etc. and was one of the people who wrote chapters in The Textbook of Spinal Surgery by Bridwell et al. Anyway, Chicago Shriners should be a good place for your daughter. Best wishes.
                    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


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by karenk View Post
                      Thanks guys for your help. My daughter has an appointment July 22nd at Shriners hospital. I hope that means she is accepted there for treatment. I was concerned that Shriners Hospital would turn her down because she has a major heart defect. Also reading your stories gives me great hope. I am so glad you guys are doing so well. The info you have given me was very helpful. Thanks so much.
                      Shriners is a magical place. Just stepping into that building in Portland was like stepping into another world: tranquil, friendly, professional and so beautiful. I know there's no way I could have spent five weeks at a 'general' kids hospital where you are faced with lots of very sick kids that are there for chemotherapy etc. and actually enjoyed it. The kids hospital next door Dornbecher's (sp?) was like that and when I went over there to do my laundry b/c there wasn't any facilities at Shriners as they were in the midst of construction, I met a few moms who had young kids there for cancer treatments. It made me feel so sad and yet so relieved that my son 'only' had scoliosis.
                      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


                      • #12
                        Karen one of my friends goes to shriners in chicago she told me that there really good there
                        Kara
                        25
                        Brace 4-15-05-5-25-06
                        Posterior Spinal Fusion 3-10-10
                        T4-L2
                        Before 50T
                        After 20T

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