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Dr. Lawrence Lenke, M.D.

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  • Dr. Lawrence Lenke, M.D.

    Ok, I'm trying again... anyone had any experience or heard anything about him? He is located at Washington University at St. Louis.
    aBbiE
    22 yr old F,KU college student
    Kyphoscoliosis...
    Scoliosis (25T, 23L) diagnosed @ 14 yrs old; curves June 08 were 45T, 32L with 18 degree rotation
    Kyphosis of 65 degrees...
    I am missing a lumbar vertebrae

    Surgery 6/30/2008 with Dr. Lawrence Lenke
    Fused T2-L2


    before/after pics
    all smiles!

  • #2
    About Dr. Lenke

    I am also trying to find out more information about Dr. Lenke. I am from Tell City Indiana (southern tip of Indiana) and have had 8 scoliosis surgeries now getting ready for number 9 but my surgeon is unable to do this one and is referring me to Dr. Lenke. I see Dr. Lenke for the first time March 14 but I am trying to find out more about him. My current spine surgeon says he is the best of the best and he is actually planning on assisting him in the surgery because he feels he can learn a lot from Dr. Lenke. I have been doing a lot of research on him on the internet and see that he has a lot of medical publications and seems that he has a lot of awards but I would like to hear more from actual patients of his to see just what they think. Hope to find out more information. Good luck to you.

    Comment


    • #3
      well it's good to see that someone else is looking at him too. I think we are going to try and make an appointment with him sometime this spring for a second opinion. I agree, I wish there were more midwesterners here... some that have gone to see Dr. Lenke! Common people! I know your out there!
      aBbiE
      22 yr old F,KU college student
      Kyphoscoliosis...
      Scoliosis (25T, 23L) diagnosed @ 14 yrs old; curves June 08 were 45T, 32L with 18 degree rotation
      Kyphosis of 65 degrees...
      I am missing a lumbar vertebrae

      Surgery 6/30/2008 with Dr. Lawrence Lenke
      Fused T2-L2


      before/after pics
      all smiles!

      Comment


      • #4
        About Dr. Lenke

        Have you checked out the website about him http://www.spinal-deformity-surgeon.com/. I have checked a lot about him on the internet and I know my spine surgeon here locally considers him the best there is. I have been going my local spine surgeon for a little over 16 years and I trust his judgement but I still would feel more comfortable hearing some patients perspectives concerning Dr. Lenke. If you are wanting to get into see him this spring you might not want to wait too long to schedule an appointment. My doctors office called 2 weeks before christmas and they finally got back to me later in January and the first they could get me in was the middle of April. They since have called back and rescheduled me for March 14.

        Comment


        • #5
          Dr. Lenke

          Hi, I'm a new member and thought I could give you some
          information about Dr. Lenke. I'm 54 and had a 115 degree
          kyphosis and 95 degree thorocolumbar scoliosis. Through
          the years I was told that there wasn't anything that could
          be done other than exercise and monitor the condition with
          x-rays. So this is what I did until I turned 50, and the curves
          started to progress more rapidly. At this time I found a
          surgeon here in Michigan who began to monitor this progression.
          He would take my x-rays with him to various orthopaedic
          conventions and get opinions from several doctors. Half said
          to fuse me where I was at, and half said to do nothing. My
          surgeon wasn't satisfied with these answers because of my
          discomfort due to crowding of internal organs.

          He then told me about Dr. Lenke and assured me that he was
          "the best" with this type of surgery, especially in older patients.
          I've even heard he was "the best in the world!" At that point,
          I thought it was worth the trip to St. Louis for a consultation.

          So in February, 2006, I saw Dr. Lenke for the first time. He
          was very straight-forward and honest in answering my long
          list of questions. He informed me of the seriousness of my
          condition, the risks with surgery, and what could happen if I
          did nothing. That day was quite an awakening for me, as I
          was told for so long that nothing could be done. But Dr. Lenke
          said he could help me, and I was one of his younger patients!
          I wished he was around with his expertise when I was 19. I
          left that appointment knowing I had to make some very
          important decisions.

          I went home that day feeling numb. I realized if I was going
          to have the surgery, it should be as soon as possible as I
          wasn't getting any younger. It took me about a month of
          soul-searching, research, talking to very supportive family
          and friends, and much prayer before I decided to schedule
          the surgery. The most comforting part of my decision was
          knowing I found the right surgeon; there was never a doubt.

          In March I called and schedule the surgery for July, 2006.
          It took a little longer to get in as it was to be two 8-hour
          surgeries, one day apart. I went back to St. Louis for my
          pre-op testing in June and then the surgery in July. I was
          fused from T-3 to the sacrum. I was in the hospital about
          14 days and rehab about 7 days. Then home to Michigan.

          Surgery was a success! I'm 7 months post-op today and
          five inches taller. My family doc says I'm much healthier
          post-op as I'm no longer taking blood pressure meds, which
          I took for the past five years and no longer have acid reflux.
          The recovery is a slow process which they prepared me for.
          (Remember, I'm probably much older than many of you.)

          The staff at Dr. Lenke's office and the professionals at
          Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Rehab were excellent. They
          were also very considerate and helpful to my husband who
          stayed with me all that time.

          Also, something that was very helpful in making my decision
          to go with Dr. Lenke was when they gave me a list of his
          patients to call that were my age and had a similar surgery.
          They were all very helpful and very pleased with Dr. Lenke's
          work.

          Well I hope this helps anyone who is considering to have Dr.
          Lenke as their surgeon. Personally, I feel he is "The Best" and
          feel very blessed to have found him.

          Good luck to you all. . . . . . Betty

          Comment


          • #6
            Dr. Lenke

            Thank you Betty for your response. I do not know about the other person inquiring about Dr. Lenke but for myself you made me feel much much better. I have an initial appointment to see Dr. Lenke on March 14th and I am trying to find out all I can before I go to see him for the first time. This information is very much appreciated by me.

            Thank you, Doreen

            Comment


            • #7
              Betty---that is great to hear! but did you say you went up in Height 5 inches????what was your curve reduced to???? Lynne

              Comment


              • #8
                Hi Lynne!

                When I got married 30 years ago, I was 5'9 and could look my husband in the
                eye when standing. Through the years I kept loosing inches. When I saw
                Dr. Lenke in February, 2006, they measured me at 5'3 1/2". That even
                shocked me! After surgery, the first time I stood up, I was eye to eye with
                my husband again. Everyone seemed so much shorter. Now I'm getting use
                to my original height again and clothes fit so much better!

                Also my kyphosis (hump) was quite large. Now it is totally gone. I wasn't
                expecting such a great correction. My surgeon is awesome!

                Have a Great Day...........Betty

                Comment


                • #9
                  Betty,

                  Congratulations on a very successful surgery. I have seen Dr. Lenke's associate, Dr. Bridwell. And I have been hearing the same thing. Both surgeons are considered the "cream of the top."

                  Chris

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Thank you all for the info. I think we are going to call and try to schedule a consult sometime this week hopefully for this spring. I know how it is though to get an appointment, I just would like to have it while all my pre op testing is fresh.
                    -Abbie
                    aBbiE
                    22 yr old F,KU college student
                    Kyphoscoliosis...
                    Scoliosis (25T, 23L) diagnosed @ 14 yrs old; curves June 08 were 45T, 32L with 18 degree rotation
                    Kyphosis of 65 degrees...
                    I am missing a lumbar vertebrae

                    Surgery 6/30/2008 with Dr. Lawrence Lenke
                    Fused T2-L2


                    before/after pics
                    all smiles!

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      KI Jane

                      I am glad to support Betty's recommendaton for Dr Lenke. He operated on me last November. I gained almost 3 inches--almost what I used to be. I also regained a waistline. My spine is straight as an arrow. He is truly a genius at what he does. He is very busy and businesslike and he tells it straight. As he reminded me in March, I always said this surgery is not for sissies. He said the xrays are excellent, I could take the brace off, and do whatever I could. And if I did too much I would pay for it. I could have used more guidance.

                      I recounted all my problems--pain, numbness and tingling, swelling,etc. All of which he said was quite normal and might go on for the year. He operated from the back and even fixed my stenosis problem while he was in there. I guess I was lucky because altho the first weeks were miserable--I gained 40 pounds of fluid and was checked by eye doctors, heart specialists, vascular people, I never had any of the serious complications. I am 69 and complications are much higher at my age and in a long fusion (T2 to the sacrum).

                      So I am back in the clothes I have not worn for years, weigh 110, 5 6", but cannot tie my shoe, bend over, etc. My balance is not good. I am working on all that and trust it will end. Lenke appears to be the best or among the top 2 or 3. You will have to wait to see him. His reputation assures that.

                      Best wishes to both of you.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        betty, doreen& abbey,
                        i am so happy i found your posts. i am going to see dr. lenke on june 27th.
                        betty, thank you for sharing your story....very uplifting!!
                        doreen and abbey how did your visits go?
                        abbey i'm a boston girl but i married a midwesterner and now i live in missouri!
                        hope to hear from you all!

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Babette,

                          I had surgery January 12th with Dr. Lenke. I, as well as my family, have been very happy with him and his abilities. In fact, I will be seeing him on June 27th for my 6-month follow-up. If our appt times coincide, feel free to ask me any questions you might have!

                          Jennifer
                          28 years old
                          Wore brace for 3 years as a teen
                          Successful surgery with Dr. Lenke on January 12, 2007

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Hi Jennifer

                            My daughter is scheduled for surgery with Dr. Lenke in Nov. Just wondering how many levels you were fused, if you have any post op pain or complications and how did you deal with travel? If you would prefer to correspond by email, that would be great too.

                            Glad to hear you are doing well.

                            Thanks

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Appointment with Dr. Lenke

                              Hello to all of you I have my second appointment with Dr. Lenke on June 27th. This will be for my pre-op testing for my surgery scheduled with him on August 27th. I was very impressed with Dr. Lenke on my first appointment and my spine surgeon from Evansville Indiana thinks very highly of him. He is planning on being in on my surgery observing what Dr. Lenke is going to do. I will be so glad when this is over because I have been through 8 Previous fusion in the last 13 years and I know what I am in store for this time. All I want to do is get it over so I can start mending.

                              Comment

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