specialist in Philadelphia?

[Singer]

Hello friends --I'm a 50-year-old woman with a 55-degree thoracolumbar curve, with the apex at L1. The worst curve is in the lumbar region, and there's rotation as well...my rib cage is starting to go wacky. I've done okay with this until this past year. The pain is manageable but I'm worried about the rotation. Anyway, I've seen a couple of orthopaedic doctors who basically blew me off because I don't have any respiratory issues yet. My curve has progressed at a rate of about one degree per year, so I figure I've got 5 or 10 more years before I have respiratory issues. Does this sound right? Does rotation always lead to respiratory issues? I'm a professional singer so obviously this is a big deal for me. I know you guys aren't doctors, but I guess I'm just looking for some insight or reassurance. My most recent x-rays really were shocking.

Also, does anyone know of a scoliosis or spine specialist in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area? Thank you for any comments or advice you may have!

[lrmb]

Hi there Singer! When I lived in Philly I consulted with Dr. Balderston of Booth, Balderston, and Bartolozzi - they are based at the Pennsylvania Hospital. He was very personable, spent time discussing my options, and in my case recommended a conservative path (keep monitoring and waiting for surgery, since my 49-degree curve might remain stable a while yet). He told me frankly that he would not operate on me were I his daughter. I don't know if that is a standard line, but it made me feel like he were taking me very seriously.

Good luck. If you are in pain and in the Philly area, I can recommend a fantastic alternative therapist, a Rolfer. Not cheap, but she really helped reduce my pain level after years of intense pain.

Laura

[lrmb]

p.s. By the way, the Rolfer I knew is a musician who deals a lot with people in that business. I have noticed that since I left the area, and stopped having sessions, that my curves seem much less balanced; if you are interested in knowing more on my experiences of Rolfing feel free to private message me. I would highly recommend the practitioner I went to. Take care. Laura

[briarrose]

Hi Singer

What doctors have you seen in the Philadelphia area? I'm going to see Dr. Fras at the University of Pennsylvania in May. I'm hoping he's good because I've had some really bad experiences with doctors the past couple of years. My last back doctor was Dr. Broyer at the Rothman Institute. That didn't go well. I have heard that Dr. Albert at the Rothman Institute is very good, but he only sees patients who are recommended for surgery.

Good luck! I'll let you know how my visit with Dr. Fras goes.

[Singer]

Hi Briarrose,

In Philly, I saw Dr. Kingsley Chin at U of Penn -- chief of orthopedic surgery there with specialty in spine surgery, but I didn't like him. I also had a very bad experience with the Rothman Institute in King of Prussia ... saw a young guy who glanced at my back and MRIs (I didn't have x-rays yet at the time) and prescribed pain killers and physical therapy without even knowing what my curvature was. I ended up seeing Dr. Boachie in NYC, which is where I'm tentatively scheduled to have surgery in the spring of 2007.
Turns out my curve and rotation are very severe.

I've heard of Dr. Fras at Penn -- let me know how you liked him!

Chris

[briarrose]

I almost made an appointment with Dr. Chin but decided last minute to go with Dr. Fras. I'm glad I did! I also went to the Rothman Institute at King of Prussia. I wonder if you saw Dr. Broyer too. He's young, tall, glasses and tries to be funny but ends up being rude.

A year is a long time to wait!!!! Good luck!

Shell

[Singer]

I didn't see Dr. Boyer at the rothman Institute -- saw a young guy (looked about 18, for cryin' out loud) named Dennis Ivill. Ugh..he just wasn't interested.

I'm waiting a year for surgery because I have a ton of stuff to do to get my house and family ready. Hopefully my back will hold out!

Keep in touch,
Chris

[briarrose]

Hi Singer

I just had my appointment today with Dr. Fras at the University of Pennsylvania and it was great! He was late, almost an hour, but felt really bad about it and kept apologizing. He was very nice and easy to talk too. He treated me with respect and at one point we both started talking at the same time but he insisted that I talk first because he wanted to listen. He's in his early to mid thirties (unless he just looks really young). He also stayed in the room with me for at least 20 minutes asking all sorts of questions and checked my legs, arms feet, hands, neck and back. He remeasured my xrays from last year and thought my curve was 41* not 37*. He wants me to go have more xrays done and a full spinal MRI. If my curve has progressed since last year, he's going recommend surgery. He said curves over 50* should have surgery.

He was so helpful and seemed very concerned. He's extremely polite and wants to hear what his patient has to say. I'm very glad I went to him. I highly recommend him.

Good luck!

[briarrose]

I wanted to add that I was very pleased that he ordered a full spinal MRI. I never understood why my other doctors neglected to do this. He seems to want to check everything to make sure he's making a good decision. I call that a good doctor, finally!