Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Scoli docs in Seattle area?

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Scoli docs in Seattle area?

    My sister has been told she has a pretty bad case of scoliosis by another of her doctors... I told her she needs to see a scoliosis specialist to do at least a baseline study. Does anyone have suggestions for a doctor?
    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

  • #2
    Wow Suzie bee, Pretty bad case doesn’t sound good......

    Dr Jen Chapman comes to mind...I used to watch him on the research channel years ago....

    There are others of course....others should chime in....

    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


    • #3
      Thanks for the suggestion, Ed. I went to the SRS site and noted the doctors (just 4), most of whom seem to be neurologists. I did send some info on to her and she will ask her rheumatologist in March if it is severe enough to warrant seeing a specialist. If so, that doctor can give a referral. I told her just to have a baseline study done if not anything more. "Pretty bad" can be relative... according to who, what they are used to (nothing?), etc. so I don't really know what she's dealing with.
      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


      • #4
        I now have to consider surgery in Seattle area as well

        Hi all:

        This is my very first post and since the original poster posted 10 months ago, I don't know if she'll even see this. Some background-- I was discovered to have scoliosis when I was probably 10ish. Watched and x-rayed until I was about 12 yrs 3 mos and put in a Milwaukee brace. I hated it, of course, and was so self-conscious. Plus, I was a swimmer and hated having to change in front of everyone into and out of it. I spent a lot of time alone in my room, so my parents wouldn't know I wasn't wearing it 23/7. I ended up calling my doctor the summer before I was to enter high school (which back them was 10th grade) and told him I hadn't been compliant and that I was refusing to wear it to high school. He agreed that if I would not be compliant, I could stop wearing it. I think I had just turned 15 and perhaps the thought was that I had reached skeletal maturity, or was very near it. I do seem to recall that my highest curve was 37 degrees, since back then, they threatened surgery for anything over 40 degrees.

        Fast forward to Jan 2014. Walking on snow the first week of January led to severe hip pain, limping, MRI/X-rays of the hip and then the eventual full spine x-ray where it was discovered that my scoliosis had kept progressing. I think it was measured at about 54 degrees.

        About March or so of this year, I have been having increased pain and was put on Vicodin by my primary about 4 months ago. I saw Dr. Sethi at Virginia Mason, who measured my most recent x-ray (done at Swedish-Cherry Hill in October) to be 62 degrees. I started crying, of course, because I DO NOT want surgery. It scares me to think of being inflexible for the rest of my life. That being said, I was very impressed with him.

        I did have an appt. with Dr. Jens Chapman in October (hence the x-ray), but I never actually got to see him. I was worked up by a nurse practitioner, who said if I had the surgery, I would be very rigid for the rest of my life and suggested I do pilates. Dr. Chapman was then supposed to come in, but she told me that he got pulled into an emergency surgery. I had already looked him up and knew I would never let him operate on me. He has been involved in a lawsuit and used a compression fracture glue on two women who died on the table. He was involved in animal testing of the project, so I was shocked to see that he went ahead and used it on humans. :-(

        So, this is all a long way of saying that I was very impressed with Dr. Sethi and will be following up with him yearly, until I am ready for surgery (or sooner if needed). I'm not ready right now.

        Comment


        • #5
          Thanks for pointing this out.....

          Here is the article on the case....
          http://blog.cvn.com/breaking-hospita...ly-bone-cement

          I don’t understand why you would pay to see him if you already knew?

          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


          • #6
            Great news about doctor in Seattle

            Dr. Robert Hart recently moved from OHSU to Swedish Hospital in Seattle. He totally rocks! He has operated on my back 3 times due to an infection that I acquired during a previous surgery. He is very experienced, personable, and compassionate...a triple threat!

            Highly recommended.

            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


            • #7
              Originally posted by nbtrigirl View Post
              Hi all:

              This is my very first post and since the original poster posted 10 months ago, I don't know if she'll even see this. Some background-- I was discovered to have scoliosis when I was probably 10ish. Watched and x-rayed until I was about 12 yrs 3 mos and put in a Milwaukee brace. I hated it, of course, and was so self-conscious. Plus, I was a swimmer and hated having to change in front of everyone into and out of it. I spent a lot of time alone in my room, so my parents wouldn't know I wasn't wearing it 23/7. I ended up calling my doctor the summer before I was to enter high school (which back them was 10th grade) and told him I hadn't been compliant and that I was refusing to wear it to high school. He agreed that if I would not be compliant, I could stop wearing it. I think I had just turned 15 and perhaps the thought was that I had reached skeletal maturity, or was very near it. I do seem to recall that my highest curve was 37 degrees, since back then, they threatened surgery for anything over 40 degrees.

              Fast forward to Jan 2014. Walking on snow the first week of January led to severe hip pain, limping, MRI/X-rays of the hip and then the eventual full spine x-ray where it was discovered that my scoliosis had kept progressing. I think it was measured at about 54 degrees.

              About March or so of this year, I have been having increased pain and was put on Vicodin by my primary about 4 months ago. I saw Dr. Sethi at Virginia Mason, who measured my most recent x-ray (done at Swedish-Cherry Hill in October) to be 62 degrees. I started crying, of course, because I DO NOT want surgery. It scares me to think of being inflexible for the rest of my life. That being said, I was very impressed with him.

              I did have an appt. with Dr. Jens Chapman in October (hence the x-ray), but I never actually got to see him. I was worked up by a nurse practitioner, who said if I had the surgery, I would be very rigid for the rest of my life and suggested I do pilates. Dr. Chapman was then supposed to come in, but she told me that he got pulled into an emergency surgery. I had already looked him up and knew I would never let him operate on me. He has been involved in a lawsuit and used a compression fracture glue on two women who died on the table. He was involved in animal testing of the project, so I was shocked to see that he went ahead and used it on humans. :-(

              So, this is all a long way of saying that I was very impressed with Dr. Sethi and will be following up with him yearly, until I am ready for surgery (or sooner if needed). I'm not ready right now.
              Hi! This is a great time to explore options, get more opinions, talk in person to people who have had surgery, and do research on risk/benefit of procedures/surgery. While my experience with surgery was unique and I had problems after surgery, I do not regret having surgery. I did every possible option thinking that I could decrease my need for surgery. I chose surgery when my quality of life was compromised and I could only walk 1/2 block without stopping in pain. I was on the fast track to a life in a wherlchair addicted to narcotics. With surgery, I traded a very limited existence on narcotics for a decrease in flexibility.

              A major part of confidence going into surgery is having trust in your surgeon. For me, trust meant letting go of control and having faith that my surgeon would make good choices that would help me to achieve the best outcome.

              Be in control of your decisions by being armed by lots of infomation. Talking to a couple of doctors will give you choices and support for whatever and whenever you make a decision whether or when you will do any treatment or surgery. The ball is in your court.

              Are you doing physical therapy?

              Susan
              Last edited by susancook; 12-15-2016, 02:19 AM.
              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


              • #8
                Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
                Thanks for pointing this out.....

                Here is the article on the case....
                http://blog.cvn.com/breaking-hospita...ly-bone-cement

                I don’t understand why you would pay to see him if you already knew?

                Ed
                I was referred to him by my neurologist. I decided to keep the appointment as I had already seen two doctors, neither of whom I was confident in using for my surgery. We had already met our deductible for the year, so the visit was paid for by insurance. I told my husband, I would go and get his 'expert opinion' on my case, knowing that I wouldn't want him to actually perform the surgery.

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by nbtrigirl View Post
                  I was referred to him by my neurologist.

                  I knew about Dr Chapman from all the research channel scoliosis programming, and knew about the sale of Synthes as I do have their hardware. Its Synthes “Pangea system” for those interested. So far, so good, and I will be 9 years post here next week. Synthes was the largest company in Switzerland. Its now owned by Johnson and Johnson.

                  Research channel is on You tube for those interested.....Search “UWTV scoliosis” or “UWTV deformity” for vids. I hope its not too boring....(smiley face)
                  https://www.youtube.com/results?sear...uwtv+scoliosis

                  Basically, I think the bottom line is that the jurors reviewed his “intent”, which was sound....No surgeon wants complications or even death. This man is an incredible surgeon and has done some incredibly difficult procedures.

                  With the past BMP lawsuits, and some of the problems that might have happened here, (I say “might” since I have no proof) I think its wise for patients to know what an “off label” procedure is, and know if its being done. BMP for instance is only FDA approved for ALIF, and some dental and tibia procedures. One of the surgeons at TCSC quoted a member here “You don’t just slap this around”.....BMP is not approved by the FDA for posterior procedures, but its done often and by many scoliosis surgeons....

                  Another thing that’s been proven to work out best is to have multiple surgeons. I had 2 scoli surgeons and a vascular surgeon for my ALIF. Having a good team is a must for doing our surgeries.

                  Be sure to let us know what you decide. Its never an easy decision....

                  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


                  • #10
                    Originally posted by nbtrigirl View Post
                    Hi all:

                    This is my very first post and since the original poster posted 10 months ago, I don't know if she'll even see this. Some background-- I was discovered to have scoliosis when I was probably 10ish. Watched and x-rayed until I was about 12 yrs 3 mos and put in a Milwaukee brace. I hated it, of course, and was so self-conscious. Plus, I was a swimmer and hated having to change in front of everyone into and out of it. I spent a lot of time alone in my room, so my parents wouldn't know I wasn't wearing it 23/7. I ended up calling my doctor the summer before I was to enter high school (which back them was 10th grade) and told him I hadn't been compliant and that I was refusing to wear it to high school. He agreed that if I would not be compliant, I could stop wearing it. I think I had just turned 15 and perhaps the thought was that I had reached skeletal maturity, or was very near it. I do seem to recall that my highest curve was 37 degrees, since back then, they threatened surgery for anything over 40 degrees.

                    Fast forward to Jan 2014. Walking on snow the first week of January led to severe hip pain, limping, MRI/X-rays of the hip and then the eventual full spine x-ray where it was discovered that my scoliosis had kept progressing. I think it was measured at about 54 degrees.

                    About March or so of this year, I have been having increased pain and was put on Vicodin by my primary about 4 months ago. I saw Dr. Sethi at Virginia Mason, who measured my most recent x-ray (done at Swedish-Cherry Hill in October) to be 62 degrees. I started crying, of course, because I DO NOT want surgery. It scares me to think of being inflexible for the rest of my life. That being said, I was very impressed with him.

                    I did have an appt. with Dr. Jens Chapman in October (hence the x-ray), but I never actually got to see him. I was worked up by a nurse practitioner, who said if I had the surgery, I would be very rigid for the rest of my life and suggested I do pilates. Dr. Chapman was then supposed to come in, but she told me that he got pulled into an emergency surgery. I had already looked him up and knew I would never let him operate on me. He has been involved in a lawsuit and used a compression fracture glue on two women who died on the table. He was involved in animal testing of the project, so I was shocked to see that he went ahead and used it on humans. :-(

                    So, this is all a long way of saying that I was very impressed with Dr. Sethi and will be following up with him yearly, until I am ready for surgery (or sooner if needed). I'm not ready right now.
                    Did you consider Spinecor for adults?

                    Comment

                    Working...
                    X