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Surgery in Atlanta at Emory

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  • Surgery in Atlanta at Emory

    Hello everyone I am new to the group! I am writing on behalf of my husband.
    He had surgery and harrington rods put in mid 80's.
    He began to have back and leg pain/numbness about 2 months ago.
    Went to the ortho and his lower back below the first fusion is really twisted. I believe it is past 40
    He said he was supposed to be fused the first time all the way down but the docs at the time didn't want a teen to have no mobility. So, it has slowly gotten worse...
    Now the docs are sending us to Emory to an Adult specialist. They want him to have a revision...the old rods taken out and fusion all the way down. I am sorry I don't know the tech. terms yet, I am new to this.
    Anyway I was wondering if anyone knew anything about the specialist in Atlanta at Emory. We are to be seen by a Dr. Rhee.
    My husband is 32. They said do the surgery NOW while he is young.

    Any advice would be helpful. I am sorry this is so long.
    Thanks in advance
    Sherri

  • #2
    Surgery in Atlanta

    Hi Sherri,
    I am 57 years old and had revision surgery at Emory in Sept. 2005. Dr. Horton performed the two day surgery (Sept. 8 and 13th) and he was wonderful. I had Harrington rods put in in 1983 (T-5 to L-5) and started having back and leg pain again about 9 years later. By the time I decided to move forward with surgery again I needed to have an osteotomy at L-3 to correct the flat back, and anterior/posterior surgery for DDD, removal of the lower part of the old Harrington rod and fusion from L-5 to sacrum. I had to be kept sedated and in ICU inbetween surgeries because my blood pressure dropped very low, and I had problems coming off the breathing tube. I am now about 4 1/2 months post-op and for the most part doing very well. I can stand straight (YEA!) have no leg pain, and no back pain. I can function with daily activities very well, and just last week returned from a 7 night cruise in the Caribbean with my husband. However, the recovery has not been a cake walk, and I am now having pain in my shoulder, upper back and arm. I started PT this week to strengthen the upper back and work my very tight hamstrings. I think it's key to stay positive and think of yourself being well.
    I do not know Dr. Rhee, but have seen Dr. Horton for about 9 years and think he is excellent. I also saw other doctors in Atlanta and Dallas to get other opinions.
    I encourage you not to rush into this. Learn all you can about what they will be doing and get another opinion if you haven't already. Good luck to you and your husband!
    Dianne

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