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surgery at 13, now in my 40's what to expect?

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  • #31
    what does flat back syndrome refer to???

    I'm new here...what is flat back?

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    • #32
      flatback is..

      also known as iatrogenic flatback syndrome or fixed sagittal imbalance and is the progressive loss of lumbar lordosis, i.e., "flattening" of the lower spine's normal outward curvature. Most individuals with it underwent posterior spinal fusion some time between 1960 and 1990, and usually had Harrington rod installed low in the lumbar spine. Flatback can also develop after lumbar surgery for other reasons. Signs/symptoms often include forward-leaning or hunched-over posture; need for physical support (shopping cart, walker); standing with knees slightly bent in order to stand upright, compensatory hyperextension (craning) of neck; inability to lie flat. Pain and disability may be progressive over time as the discs below the fusion wear and stenosis and other arthritic type changes occur in concert with the forward leaning posture.

      The "cure" is a complex revision surgery, where wedge shaped pieces of the old fusion are removed to re-align the spine/body, new hardware is added, and fusion is often to the sacrum.

      Hope this helps..hope it doesn't apply to you! Cam

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      • #33
        Disc Degeneration at 34

        I'm 34 and new here...I had my harrington rod inserted when I was 12 (s-curve; 70 degree curve). I have had excruciating pain this last month...all the way down my right arm and back. Like most of you, I never even gave my back a second thought until recently...have been active and am in relatively good shape...but this last month has been horrible. I've been to a physical therapist (which exasperated the problem) and a chiropractor (who is no longer treating me as she thinks I have disc degeneration and is afraid that if I don't get treated soon I will have permanent nerve damage). My general physician gave me pain meds that I cannot tolerate...I go back to my primary physician on Monday. I also was afraid of chiropractic but she was very professional and gentle. Deep muscle massage also pained the area more. I also notice lower back pain when I sit on a hard floor (I'm a teacher and mom )and try to get up or if I'm in cold or wet weather...never gave it a second thought but am now wondering if I shouldn't have lower discs checked as well. Wow! I thought I should be home free after all I went through in my younger years.

        Always Smilin'
        Colleen

        1982 fused T2-L1
        pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
        pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

        recheck 2006
        right thoracic 57
        lower lumbar 34

        surgical revision April 28,2009
        revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
        unsure of degrees at this point

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        • #34
          Hi Always...

          I'd like to encourage you to ask for a referral to a scoliosis specialist. You can find a list of specialists here:

          http://www.srs.org/directory/directory.asp

          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


          • #35
            Spine specials

            Linda-

            Thank you for that connection...I have written to my spine surgeon with no response at this time...do you think it would be appropriate for me to make an appointment with him...I see he's on your list...he normally treats adolescent or juvenille...met with my primary physician today...have an MRI scan planned for tomorrow...he does want me to get a second opinion.

            Thanks so much...this site is truly a Godsend!

            Always Smilin'
            Colleen

            1982 fused T2-L1
            pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
            pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

            recheck 2006
            right thoracic 57
            lower lumbar 34

            surgical revision April 28,2009
            revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
            unsure of degrees at this point

            Comment


            • #36
              Hi Always...

              I'm guessing that the MRI will be relatively useless. The metal attached to your spine will distort the image, so they won't really be able to tell anything unless the problem is relatively far from the implants.

              If your surgeon treats kids, you're going to need referral to someone who treats adults... hopefully someone who has a lot of experience treating patients with prior fusions. Where are you located?

              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


              • #37
                location

                Reedsburg, Wisconsin (near WI DELLS) but have traveled to Fairview in the Twin Cities, MN. (Who are the "leaders" these days for the midwest...in '82 I think it was fairview?)

                I really do appreciate you taking time to personally connect with me...WOW!

                Always Smilin'
                Colleen

                1982 fused T2-L1
                pre op 45 - post op 33 (left thoracic)
                pre op 53 - post op 18 (right thoracic)

                recheck 2006
                right thoracic 57
                lower lumbar 34

                surgical revision April 28,2009
                revision T3-L1; new fusion L1-L4
                unsure of degrees at this point

                Comment


                • #38
                  Hi...

                  You should be seen by the Twin Cities Spine Center:

                  http://www.tcspine.com/default.asp

                  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


                  • #39
                    Deb

                    i too had surgery at 13 im now 42 read my thread under madnsn2 under surgery revision, u seem to be in early stages read on a nd good luck

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