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  • Newbie - meeting with surgeon this week!

    Hi All!

    I've been lurking on this forum for a few months, now. The information is extremely helpful!

    I finally decided I'd schedule my surgery for this October. I'm 59 years old with a 65 degree curve ( I'll ask for particulars at my appt. this week). I've had 2 opinions & the doctors have been recommending rods since 2005, due to continuous progression. This forum helped me go into the idea of surgery with my eyes open a little wider & I've felt a little more at peace about my decision - up until 2 weeks ago.

    My husband & were in a motorcycle accident in mid July. we were in the desert, north of Reno, Nevada and we both flew off the bike. He has 1 broken rib with torn muscles. I have 6 broken ribs & a fractured shoulder blade. We're blessed to be alive!

    After dealing with these injuries, I'm not sure if I'm mentally or physically prepared for major back surgery in October. What do you think? I'm thinking, my body might need more time to heal from this trauma before dealing with another one. I'll see what the surgeon has to say on Wednesday. I know he didn't want me to delay as long as I already have!

    Is anyone from the columbus, Ohio area? Is anyone familiar with Dr. Derek Snook?

    Thanks! Peg
    Peg
    61 yrs old
    75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
    T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
    Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!

  • #2
    Hi Peg...

    There's really no hurry, and I think waiting until you've recovered is probably a good idea.

    I don't know Dr. Snook, but I did look him up. I'm a little concerned that his fellowships didn't really include any complex spine training. It appears that he does more trauma than deformity. They're really very different specalities. Unfortunately, Ohio doesn't exactly have a plethora of experienced adult scoliosis surgeons. I looked up all Ohio members listed in the Scoliosis Research Society 2012 directory. The only surgeon who treats adults and who has done an appropriate fellowship is Jeffery Stambough in Cincinnati. I hate undermining peoples faith in their doctors, but for this surgery, you really want to choose someone who does a lot of this type of surgery. You can find Dr. Stambough here:

    http://www.tristateorthotc.com/docto...ough-m-d-.html

    Hope I haven't stressed you out more than you already were!

    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


    • #3
      Hi Peg,

      I agree with Linda about waiting because there's no panic to have your surgery in October unless you're in real pain due to the scoliosis.

      Aside from that, I agree that your choice of surgeon is the single most important part of your decision. Find the very best you can, and if possible, speak to other patients who've had surgery with him. Most surgeons will happily pass on names of previous patients. Ask him how many surgeries he's performed, of the kind that you require. If he's not doing deformity surgery on a regular basis (at least fortnightly to monthly) I would be looking elsewhere.

      My surgeon was doing scoliosis surgery 2-3 times a week and had been for years before he did mine. I believe it was the major factor in my successful surgery. Experience and skills.

      Hope you are feeling better really soon and can then get on with dealing with your scoliosis. Sounds like you've got plenty of living to do.
      Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
      Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
      T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
      Osteotomies and Laminectomies
      Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

      Comment


      • #4
        I'm originally from Ohio. Don't know your doc, but just thought I'd mention there are a few good ones in Louisville, which isn't too far from you. Steven Glassman at Norton Leatherman is one. It's worth traveling to Cinci, Louisville, Chicago or St. Louis for this surgery!
        age 48
        80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
        Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
        Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
        Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
        Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.

        Comment


        • #5
          Peg--
          Welcome to the forum. I totally agree with all above. First, get yourself properly healed and in great shape. While that's happening do your research for a specialist. My doctor also had done at least 3 a week for several years. This is not a surgery that can be done by someone who isn't very talented in scoliosis surgery for adults.
          I saw your thread about traveling for surgery. I did travel to St. Louis about a 7+ hour trip for us. I stayed a week in the hospital and another week in rehab in St. Louis. We drove home but only did about 3+ hours and stayed over half way. I was well-medicated for the trip and put the seat almost flat with lots of pillows. You need to stop every 1 1/2 hour or so to walk around too. It wasn't fun but it was worth seeing Dr. Lenke--a very skilled surgeon. You don't want to have to go through with the whole thing twice if you don't have to! Get a good one first time! Janet
          Janet

          61 years old--57 for surgery

          Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
          Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
          Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
          Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
          T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

          All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

          Comment


          • #6
            Looks like I have more homework to do . . .

            I've noticed some surgeons are mentioned over & over in the forums. I may need to reconsider . . . I'm compiling lots of ?? for my dr. visit on wed. Thanks for the advice!
            Peg
            61 yrs old
            75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
            T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
            Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by Doodles View Post
              Peg--
              Welcome to the forum. I totally agree with all above. First, get yourself properly healed and in great shape. While that's happening do your research for a specialist. My doctor also had done at least 3 a week for several years. This is not a surgery that can be done by someone who isn't very talented in scoliosis surgery for adults.
              I saw your thread about traveling for surgery. I did travel to St. Louis about a 7+ hour trip for us. I stayed a week in the hospital and another week in rehab in St. Louis. We drove home but only did about 3+ hours and stayed over half way. I was well-medicated for the trip and put the seat almost flat with lots of pillows. You need to stop every 1 1/2 hour or so to walk around too. It wasn't fun but it was worth seeing Dr. Lenke--a very skilled surgeon. You don't want to have to go through with the whole thing twice if you don't have to! Get a good one first time! Janet
              Janet,
              How many times did you go to St. Louis? I'm guessing once or twice pre-surgery & twice post-surgery, as a minimum? Thanks.
              Peg
              Peg
              61 yrs old
              75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
              T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
              Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi PeggyS,
                Welcome. You will find great information here. It helped me in many areas that the doctors couldn't.
                I agree with all--you need to be healed and strong for this type of surgery. It alone takes a huge toll on your body. Most of the people here will tell you it takes at least a year --starting out healthy. Since you have recent other injuries you may want to postpone this surgery until they are healed. As you recover from scoliosis surgery--you need other body parts to help you move. And hopfully they don't hurt as well. You will move in ways you never thought you would have to.
                Get better first. There is always more time to do this surgery. Also everyone here will tell you you must do a lot of walking after this surgery--so pick a time of the year that you can be outside.
                T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
                C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
                T2--T10 fusion 2/11
                C 4-5 fusion 11/14
                Right scapulectomy 6/15
                Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
                To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
                Broken neck 9/28/2018
                Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
                Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
                Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
                Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
                Osteotomy

                Comment


                • #9
                  Peggy--
                  I believe I went just twice before surgery. I had had numerous tests done in my hometown and some for another doctor (chickened out on first surgery planned with different doctor! Just felt I was moving too fast and wasn't totally comfortable with him.) After surgery I've been back about a total of 4 times in 4 years. Twice in first year I believe. I'm not actually sure. My 6 months was with a local doctor who had studied with Dr. Lenke. Janet
                  Janet

                  61 years old--57 for surgery

                  Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
                  Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
                  Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
                  Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
                  T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.

                  All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Great advice above:
                    My 2 cents:
                    - Travel if you need to, to have a well trained, experienced spinal deformity specialist
                    - Wait to have surgery until you are 100% sure, surgery cannot be reversed;
                    - Have total trust in your doctor

                    Good luck!
                    Susan
                    Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis

                    2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
                    2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
                    2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
                    2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
                    2018: Removal L4,5 screw
                    2021: Removal T1 screw & rod

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Good information . . .

                      Thank you all for your responses! I have a lot to think about. I'm going to be revising my list of ??? for tomorrow's appt.
                      peg
                      Peg
                      61 yrs old
                      75 degree lumbar curve with thoracic kyphosis
                      T3 - S1 surgery with Dr. Buchowski in St. Louis, on 10/27/14
                      Working on healing in Columbus, Ohio!

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Originally posted by PeggyS View Post
                        Janet,
                        How many times did you go to St. Louis? I'm guessing once or twice pre-surgery & twice post-surgery, as a minimum? Thanks.
                        Peg
                        The standard of care is 2 preop appointments, and postop at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. The Wash U surgeons try to sign up most of their patients in one of their long-term studies, and if you consent, they'll really push you to come back for all of those appointments as well as potentially 5 years, 10 years, etc.

                        --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


                        • #13
                          Be sure you don't settle for a less experienced surgeon close to home... you don't want to be someone's guinea pig.
                          44 years old at time of surgery, Atlanta GA

                          Pre-Surgery Thorasic: 70 degrees, Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 68 degrees, lost 4 inches of height in 2011
                          Post-Surgery curves ~10 degrees, regained 4 inches of height

                          Posterior T3-sacrum & TLIF surgeries on Nov 28, 2011 with Dr. Lenke, St. Louis
                          2 rods, 33 screws, 2 cages, 2 connectors, living a new life I never dreamed of!

                          http://thebionicachronicles.blogspot.com/

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Peg,
                            Welcome to the forum. I can only repeat what everyone else has said. Let your body heal, however, you can still meet with your surgeon and set up the surgery, which in my case was 13 months later. I had a few opportunities before that but I had conflicts and chose to wait. I can't stress how important to the success of your surgery is choosing the best scoliosis surgeon possible, regardless of the travel involved.
                            Karen

                            Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
                            Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
                            70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
                            Rib Hump-GONE!
                            Age-60 at the time of surgery
                            Now 66
                            Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
                            Retired Kdgn. Teacher

                            See photobucket link for:
                            Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
                            Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
                            tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
                            http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Welcome to the forum. I can only say which others have said. Find yourself a great surgeon that you trust. You need both in a surgeon . Both skill and trust.

                              Melissa
                              Melissa

                              Fused from C2 - sacrum 7/2011

                              April 21, 2020- another broken rod surgery

                              Comment

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