new member/same story

[LindaRacine]

Is it common to have a neurosurgeon on a team? I had three consults with orthopedic surgeons, all scoliosis specialists before I decided to pull a trigger. My chosen surgeon did not have any neurosurgeon working with her on my case. May be your appointment with ortho doctor will go better?

There's really very little that is "standard" about scoliosis surgery. Until about 10-15 years ago, I never heard of neurosurgeons performing complex spine surgery. Now, there seem to be a lot of them. At UCSF, most of the spine neurosurgeons bring orthopaedic surgeons into their complex surgeries.

--Linda

[ZDawn]

So I needed to stop letting scoliosis rule (and ruin) my life. I stepped away from here to get back to life. I let my frustration and confusion fade. And now I'm on a little stay-cation. Thank you for all the support and understanding. And just to clarify; I misspoke when I said all this pain will be gone. I know most people have back pain to some degree. I guess I was speaking of my scoli pain that the doc said would improve.

But this is a journey with ups and downs. I'll continue to see what I can do to improve my quality of life. See what the ortho doc has to say on the 25th. And stay off the hammock if I've been drinking wine!

[ZDawn]

hip first

I saw the scoliosis doc and now I have a better understanding about my back and the effect on the rest of my body. And we also have a plan! First I'll get my hip fixed and hope that will allow my back pain to calm down. That way I'll be able to put off back surgery (we hope). He told me that if he does my back first, he's 100% sure I'll still need my hip replaced. He spent more time talking/explaining/answering my questions then I could have asked for. I never felt rushed even when I was asking a ton of questions.

Has anyone here needed a hip replacement because of their scoliosis?

[jrnyc]

Dawn...i do not remember reading what size your curves are...?

i have been developing hip problems for the past year or so....my left hip has bursitis as found on an MRI...it has a burning awful pain...used to be only when i walked i got the burning pain but then it started showing up 90% of the time...
i get half dose steroid shots into that hip for it....i have to be careful because i was overdosed with steroids a few years ago and it crashed my cortisol level to almost zero....
i can only risk very limited amounts of steroid now..
my right hip has started to hurt lately as well...
the doctors tell me it is from UNEVEN LOADING of the hips, due to scoliosis...
my T curve is 41 while my L curve is now 64 degrees...

hope you feel better
jess...and Sparky

[PeggyS]

Hi Dawn! It's good to hear from you! I've wondered 'what's next'. I can't help with your question about hips, but having a plan is a good thing.

[ZDawn]

Sorry I fell off for awhile. Life has thrown a new"curve" for me. I'm in the middle of changing jobs and locations. Moving to Colorado! I think my back/hip issues will be on hold for awhile. Wishing all of you strength and happiness.......