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junctional kyphosis/cervical fusion

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  • junctional kyphosis/cervical fusion

    Hi all,
    I had an S curve and I had surgery in 2005, first C7 to C4 and later T8 to sacrum. The surgeon was to go up to T3, but stopped at T8 because I was bleeding too much and he changed his mind about correcting the upper curve. Now I have junctional kyphosis, but it is not that bad. The upper scoliotic curve is 45 degrees. I have seen a few surgeons and some have said they would not operate. Finally I found one on the West Coast who is willing to do the surgery and who I trust.
    I would like to speak to someone who has had the upper curve corrected sometime after the lumbar and/or has a cervical fusion. I am wondering if I am going to lose mobility in my thoracic back. Surgeon says no, I would not notice a difference,but I would like to talk to someone who has had the surgery. The surgeon has several patients like me and showed before and after photos, but his assistant says I can not contact the patients until I agree to surgery.
    So, has anyone on this board had junctional kyphosis that had been corrected? Is anyone fused from C4 to sacrum? I would have only 1 or 2 non-fused segments.
    Here are some photos, they x rays were taped to a window, so you can see the trees in them
    Any advice is appreciated.
    Linda

    PICT0104.jpg
    PICT0105.jpg

  • #2
    hi linda
    i do NOT understand the requirement of agreeing to surgery before speaking to his patients!!!!

    i had a consult with Dr Anand in LA 2 years ago.....
    he allowed me to contact a few of his patients (after they gave him the OK)
    and i did NOT plan surgery with Anand...he doesn't take my insurance...
    i do not see why you have to agree to surgery to speak to his patients...
    odds are you will only get to speak to patients who will say very nice things about the doctor anyway...
    but....i am suspicious of why you would have to agree to surgery first to talk to patients!!!

    jess

    Comment


    • #3
      Hi Linda

      We have a local up here that had PJK 5 years post on a T8-L4 fusion. She went and saw my surgeon, and he extended her up to T2 or 3. She is doing well.

      I e-mailed her....maybe we can get her to post.

      Hang in there...

      Check out my mobility thread in my signature. There are pics of me and I’m fused up to T2.

      Ed
      49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
      Pre surgery curves T70,L70
      ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
      Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

      Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

      My x-rays
      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

      http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

      Comment


      • #4
        Hi Linda...

        Do you have pain in the cervical or thoracic area? Just curious. PJK doesn't always lead to surgery. I've had it for at least 15 years, and have elected not to have it fused.

        I also don't understand why the surgeon's office told you that you'd need to sign up for surgery before talking to other patients. You could get around that by signing up for surgery, and then canceling if you decide against having the surgery.

        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


        • #5
          Originally posted by LindaRacine View Post
          Hi Linda...

          Do you have pain in the cervical or thoracic area? Just curious. PJK doesn't always lead to surgery. I've had it for at least 15 years, and have elected not to have it fused.

          I also don't understand why the surgeon's office told you that you'd need to sign up for surgery before talking to other patients. You could get around that by signing up for surgery, and then canceling if you decide against having the surgery.

          Regards,
          Linda
          I'd be careful doing that, as some doctors charge a cancellation fee. I would find out first if he does, if that is the route you want to take.
          Be happy!
          We don't know what tomorrow brings,
          but we are alive today!

          Comment


          • #6
            Similar situation

            I am glad you posted this question. I logged on today because I am considering making an appointment to talk to a specialist about revision of my surgery done in 1974. My S curve correction has slowly regressed back to about 44o in C and T areas and 25 at waistline. I am very scared due to my age and also worry about being able to turn my head as needed to continue driving. I too have been told by two specialists to leave well enough alone. But I have many problems, including finding a comfortable sleeping position, twisting and discomfort in my right shoulder, and burning pain frequently in tbe C curve. So I will follow your progress with great interest. Do you have any pain or discomfort?
            ROYANNE. Harrington Rod fusion 1974 age 34, Thoracic Lumbar curves reduced from 64/25 to 26/12, with thoracoplasty, at Rush, Chicago, Dr. DeWald. Rods removed 2001 in Columbia, MO. Curves now 44/44/20 (triple).

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by rohrer01 View Post
              I'd be careful doing that, as some doctors charge a cancellation fee. I would find out first if he does, if that is the route you want to take.
              I've never heard of that being the case, but if there is a cancellation charge, they would legally have to notify you of such prior to booking.
              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


              • #8
                re: PJK/cervical fusion

                I have moderate pain in upper back and neck. The biggest problem I have is keeping my head up. I have some issues leaning forward and walking a moderate distance is uncomfortable. I am also aware of the cosmetic issues, I look hunched over and I can't straighten up. When I lie down on my back I can not get my head down
                flat and I need a pillow to rest my head.
                One of the surgeons said " If you have more surgery you won't have any leverage in your upper back" and that leads me to believe that I wouldn't be able to arch my back at all. Right now I can a little and that helps me get out of bed and I can twist a little which helps me when I'm driving. Even though I have cervical fusion I
                have 50% neck rotation, according to one surgeon.
                I hate the idea of another surgery. It took me 3 years to recover from the last one, mostly to get my energy levels back. Two surgeons said they can fix my problems, two said they wouldn't operate on me.

                Comment

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