Today I met with two different surgeons in NYC about my scoliosis. I do have an atypical curve with daily pain in my lower back and into my rt buttock area and thigh. It is getting worse.
Dr. Lenke suggested fusion from T10- L3, although he was concerned with L4 disk and wants to get a catscan of this area as the disk above and below it look great, he said he was shocked that my disc look liked that because he just didn't expect it. He did say that this would help me but I'd probably need more surgery under the fusion with signs of degeneration in L4 but could maybe do minimly invasive on that disc with an associate of his. He measured my curve to be 56. The local orthopedic Dr said it was only 41 about a month ago. Dr Lenke wants to get an MRI of my cervical and thiracic area also.
Dr Lonner was my second appt. and after Lenke my heart was already saying, I need to fix this and fusion is the best way if that's what Lenke said. Dr Lonner thinks I'd be a candidate for VBT and said he'd tether t11- l3. I did not get bending xrays done yet so will have to do that as he needs me to be flexible. And also a dexascan done. He feels he could preserve those discs with tethering.
My head is full of information and I have to figure all this out and of course am overwhelmed and scared. Fri everything I've read, both are great surgeons and have offered to help me. I had no idea my curve was that size and now I think it will just keep growing and causing me more pain. I'm terrible at making big decisions. Everyone here has been so great with support and acceptance.
Dr. Lenke suggested fusion from T10- L3, although he was concerned with L4 disk and wants to get a catscan of this area as the disk above and below it look great, he said he was shocked that my disc look liked that because he just didn't expect it. He did say that this would help me but I'd probably need more surgery under the fusion with signs of degeneration in L4 but could maybe do minimly invasive on that disc with an associate of his. He measured my curve to be 56. The local orthopedic Dr said it was only 41 about a month ago. Dr Lenke wants to get an MRI of my cervical and thiracic area also.
Dr Lonner was my second appt. and after Lenke my heart was already saying, I need to fix this and fusion is the best way if that's what Lenke said. Dr Lonner thinks I'd be a candidate for VBT and said he'd tether t11- l3. I did not get bending xrays done yet so will have to do that as he needs me to be flexible. And also a dexascan done. He feels he could preserve those discs with tethering.
My head is full of information and I have to figure all this out and of course am overwhelmed and scared. Fri everything I've read, both are great surgeons and have offered to help me. I had no idea my curve was that size and now I think it will just keep growing and causing me more pain. I'm terrible at making big decisions. Everyone here has been so great with support and acceptance.
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