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  • Trunk shift?

    Hello everyone.
    Just came across this website recently. I have some questions and hoping for some advice.
    I had surgery in 1999 (Harrington rods) in Vancouver, BC. I was in grade 7. Afterwards I didn't really pay attention to my body until I got a
    bit older. Other people would notice my body misalignment straight after surgery and comment/look but I just thought they knew I had surgery so they
    were just looking at me!! Long story short - my hips are completely asymmetric. I (and other people) did not notice my scoliosis via the naked eye pre-surgery. It's actually quite extreme. My right hip is huge and sticks out, while there's no shape on my left. My ribs are asymmetric - that doesn't bother me. My body misalignment also actually causes pain because I'm always leaning to one side - my posture is not good. So I've googled and googled, and I think I have "trunk shift." Is this something that can be fixed? I don't know how I feel about surgery at my age (I'm now 29), makes me cringe, though I've gone through my life so far avoiding beaches and hiding under baggy clothes
    Thanks
    B.

  • #2
    BJ, The only way to know what is happening with your spine is with X-rays (MRI’s or CT scans) This of course done with a scoliosis surgeon....They are the only ones trained in scoliosis. A revision surgeon should be sought out, one with “scoliosis revision” experience. Scoliosis surgeons are trained in balancing spines, regular orthopedics are not.

    There are many Harrington patients here, and some have revision surgeries....usually after a few decades, lumbar levels under fusion mass can become compromised through degeneration which can result in leaning in any direction....

    Is your old surgeon still practicing in BC? If so, can you see him? If not, I’m wondering how hard it will be, and how long it will take to get in to see a scoliosis surgeon in BC these days?

    Welcome to the forum!

    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
      Yes please do as Ed suggested. The only way to know is getting in for an X-Ray. I do think that scoliosis can always want to shift our spines.. you didn't mention being in pain. It seems that pain is a driving force in choosing to treat adults with scoliosis. Welcome to the forum.
      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


      • #4
        Originally posted by BJ87 View Post
        Hello everyone.
        Just came across this website recently. I have some questions and hoping for some advice.
        I had surgery in 1999 (Harrington rods) in Vancouver, BC. I was in grade 7. Afterwards I didn't really pay attention to my body until I got a
        bit older. Other people would notice my body misalignment straight after surgery and comment/look but I just thought they knew I had surgery so they
        were just looking at me!! Long story short - my hips are completely asymmetric. I (and other people) did not notice my scoliosis via the naked eye pre-surgery. It's actually quite extreme. My right hip is huge and sticks out, while there's no shape on my left. My ribs are asymmetric - that doesn't bother me. My body misalignment also actually causes pain because I'm always leaning to one side - my posture is not good. So I've googled and googled, and I think I have "trunk shift." Is this something that can be fixed? I don't know how I feel about surgery at my age (I'm now 29), makes me cringe, though I've gone through my life so far avoiding beaches and hiding under baggy clothes
        Thanks
        B.
        Hi...

        Trunk shifts are not uncommon in people with scoliosis, especially with people who have implants. It can be fixed, although it's a big surgery. It will most likely require something called an assymetric pedicle subtraction osteotomy. You need to find a surgeon who routinely perform this type of surgery. Are you still in Vancouver?

        --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
          Here is Dr. Hey discussing why even a relatively small curve can case a painful trunk shift.


          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...ful&highlight=
          Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

          No island of sanity.

          Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
          Answer: Medicine


          "We are all African."

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi everyone

            Thank you for your replies. As far as pain goes - I suppose I am always in pain - I've just dealt with it - hope it doesn't get worse.
            Well it's exciting that this is something that could be fixed.
            I guess the first step will be to get an Xray done and a referral to a scoliosis specialist.
            Thanks a bunch

            -BJ-

            Comment

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