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My Outcome - 8 years later

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  • My Outcome - 8 years later

    When I was searching the forum before my 2008 surgery, I wanted to see outcomes DOWN THE ROAD. There wasn't much available. Now, I try to post annually AND share the good word about FOCOS, the organization helping scoli children in Africa get their spines straightened. (If you want to help a child without means, go for it -http://www.orthofocos.org/. I do this each year at Christmas time.)

    Anyhow, my curve was 65*, taken down to 26*. I was fused from T4 to L3.

    I am not pain-free, but my quality of life continues to be much better than it was before my surgery. This year, I spent two months traveling through India, Sri Lanka and Nepal. I bring a lightweight air mattress made for back-packers since I can't manage hard beds. I am an independent traveler who can do everything on my own except lift my bags and I always manage to find some kind person to do that for me.

    I pro-actively work on my spine, doing 30 minutes daily of stretching and mild yoga AND as much walking as my body will allow AND strengthening through mild Pilates or other gym equipment. I highly recommend stretching and strengthening!!!!

    When I go through a tough time, I have found relief through acupuncture, PT, and recently a procedure called 'dry needling' which is done by both chiros and PTs. Dry needling requires a practitioner with experience - only do it if you are working with a professional who has years of experience.

    At least three times a week, I hike the canyon behind my home which has a mildly steep grade and I average two miles of hiking. I could not hike AT ALL before my surgery and found that my pain was restricting my activities more and more.

    Surgery is not a panacea, but it WILL stop the progression of your curves and that's the critical thing. For me, it has greatly improved the quality of my life. However, I have experienced increased pain in my lower lumbar spine during the last year and I consider getting fused through the tailbone. My surgeon told me that it might be a possibility and I might need additional surgery. I'll take the coming year to make that decision. In the meantime, I'll stretch and strenthening as much as possible.

    Best Wishes to All My Scoli Friends!
    Ginger


    65* curve at age 55
    T4 - L3 Fusions on May 20, 2008 by Dr. Boachie, NYC
    Curve corrected to 26*
    Blog specifically about my recovery =
    http://gingerinrecovery.blogspot.com
    Ginger Woolley

    Oct 2018, L3 - S1, Anterior & Posterior, Dr Sigurd Berven, UCSF, San Francisco
    ******
    May 2008, T4 - L3, Dr. Ohenaba Boachie, Hospital for Special Surgery, NYC
    ******
    Sept 1967, T4 - T 11, without instrumentation, Dr Thomas Brown, Stanford

  • #2
    Ginger,
    Thank you for taking the time to post your outcome after 8 years. Seven years ago (a year before my surgery), I started reading this forum almost daily. I was extremely apprehensive about going through with this major surgery and also would have liked to have found posts from more people who had surgery and were still doing well 5 years or so later. I didn't allow myself to look at the Revision posts. It sounds as if you are very active. I am fused to the sacrum, so hopefully I won't need additional surgery (I'm keeping my fingers crossed).
    Best of luck to you if you need additional surgery.
    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


    • #3
      I've read about both your outcomes and am thankful this type of surgery can work and be beneficial.

      Thank you for posting years later on your outcome. I'm doing everything I can to get and keep my mind stronger and facing these complicated spine issues so that I can take care of me.

      God bless you all.
      Melisse
      Age: 42: with 42* Lumbar, 32* Thoracic.
      Diagnosed with Adolescent Scoliosis @ 12 y.o. Thoracolumbar curve was around 28*
      Wore Boston Brace 2 -3 yrs

      Comment


      • #4
        Ginger, thanks for the report. sorry about your lower pain, one thing is for sure, time flies....

        Have you thought about who would do your revision? Would you fly back to HSS again?

        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

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