Pulmonary/Lung Function

[coster]

I just posted this in the surgery first time section, but I think it might fit better here, so here's a copy . . .


I'm looking for advice on some of my concerns. I'm 23, I had surgery 2 years ago (I'm not sure where exactly my fusion was by bone, and I believe my numbers were around a 55 degree curve that reduced to a 17 degree after surgery) I also wore a brace for 3 years in Middle school. Ive never had abnormal back pain, before surgery, and now 2 years after recovery, my back doesnt hurt often. My main concern is my lung function. I didnt get a proper function test done before surgery, but after a year and a half I went and found that I have about 60% function. The doctors call it restrictive lung disease. After surgery, I feel like it has actually gotten a little harder to catch my breath at the gym than before surgery. While I wore my brace, my rib cage did get distorted. The left side especially, but also under the breasts (i must have worn the top strap tightly). I was wondering if anyone has had similar problems with lung function, and if there was anything to improve the situation, I am only 23 and am fitness oriented. I would love to regain function and am also unsure how this situation will get as I age. (Right now, my 50 year old mother can out run me.) I know there is the rib hump surgery to fix rib cage abnormalities, but is there some surgery that might help to expand the ribs? I have been to a pulmonalogist who was not very familiar with scoliosis related problems, and my orthopedic surgereon didnt have a solution. Does anyone know if there is a specialist in this field?

-Jen

[amae28]

i'm not sure at what point in scoliosis curvature your lung function becomes inpaired but I would think if you now have a 17 degree curve you should have fairly normal function? Have you had your lungs tested for function since after your surgery? I kinda get what you feel about constrictive feeling, but the best therepy for that I have found is just exercizing more... it seems to help open up my lungs anyways. A thorascoplasty is just going to make your ribcage smaller and i don't think there's anything they can do to open it up... that prolly wasn't much help but i'd thought i'd say something since noone else had...
Abbie

[babette71]

jen,

i too have had this challenge. i HIGHLY recommend doing deep breathing exercises! sounds too simple but it really works. i learned the technique through a tape my sister gave me called body flex. i'm sure there are other forms too but this is the one i know. hope it helps!

[ellebee]

I too have this problem. I'm 29, had my surgery (which was correcting a previous surgery) about 15 years ago, and experience no back pain other than occasional muscle aches. I had my lung function tested before and after and while I can't remember the numbers, I do know that after the surgery was better than before but still was only in the 60% range, like yours. It definitely stems from the trunk rotation and bracing ... I feel like my right side is caved in almost or completely pushed backwards compared to the left. It's frustrating from a physical appearance standpoint for me as well as the functionality. From what I've read about thorocoplasty, that does indeed only make the rib cage smaller. I've read about rib expansion in really really young kids, but I've not found any information on such solutions for scoliosis patients. I wish there were. As for solutions for lung functioning, I haven't found any really. But I did notice that after my physical therapist worked on my rib cage, I felt more open ... supposedly if I were to keep up the exercises she's given me, it's supposed to stay that way ... she says the muscles between the ribs are super tight cause they can't stretch, so she uses her fingers to loosen them up ... it feels very strange, but good and really does allow my chest to expand a bit more with each breath ... might be something to look into.

[Karen Ocker]

I also have restrictive lung disease--from years of progressive chest deformity. When my curves were reduced in 2002 I did feel better especially that there was more room below my ribs; however the pulmonologist who works with my spine surgery said I would still have abnormal pulmonary function9after surgery) because all the breathing muscles/nerves on the side of the anterior approach would be cut.

I just came back from a 3 week vacation hiking in the Alps and Black Forest.(I am 65 and 4 1/2 years post revision.)
What I do is start slowly and get acclimated. Otherwise I get too winded. This way I actually hike long distances and thoroughly enjoy it. I use poles and go slowly up steep inclines. I also noticed a lessening of windedness as the time went on.

It has been my experience that we have to be extra vigilant to maintain a decent pulmonary function to live a normal life. A sedentary lifestyle only compounds the problem. I find vigorous walking and Pilates reduces that chest tightness which is so annoying. Others might find Yoga and the gym helpful.

[jam]

Restrictive lung disease

Jen,

You may not get this because you posted yours almost a year ago but maybe you will. Scoliosis does cause restrictive lung disease. I have only 45% lung capacity. I had really bad headaches for years at night that would wake me. They found I had sleep disordered breathing (like sleep apnea) because of the restrictive lung disease. I have to use a Bipap machine at night to ventilate (push air into) my lungs so enough air goes in and Co2 comes out. I no longer get headaches and don't feel as tired during the day. The Bipap also exercises my lungs by filling them up at night which helps my heart, other organs, etc.

The answer is yes, a lower lung capacity/volume does affect your stamina and give you the out of breath feeling quicker than someone with normal full lung capacity. My pulmonolgist recommends regular cardio exercise to exert the lungs and exercise them to where they are short of breath or out of breath to keep them in shape. Everyone loses lung capacity as they age as the lungs deteriorate. If you have less capacity now, it will lower more with age but you can combate that by regularly exercises the lungs to keep them in shape. There is a surgery I believe to remove a rib to make more room in the rib cage but I believe you would have to work hard to increase lung capacity/size. It may be possible though to do that. I hope this information helps you or someone. Best of luck. God bless.

-Julie

[chrisL]

take a deep breath

I was having trouble sleeping and was tired all the time. I finally went to a sleep specialist and had a sleep study. They found I have sleep apnea which is quite common but the dr didn't know why my oxygen level was so low. My apnea wasn't that bad. I told him about my spinal fussion. He said that was the problem. My lungs can't expand normally because my muscles can't
expand like regular people. I had no idea that that was a result of my surgery. I also sigh alot which is another result. Being aware of what is
happening to our bodys is a great help in itself. It's amazing. I have a CPAP
machine and I have a wonderful dr.

ChrisL

[Wishing]

I also have severe restrictive lung disease with lung volume of 39%. Please
see my post in response to Jam under Scoliosis, Restrictive Lung Disease and Sleep Apnea. I walk to exercise my lungs and sit down when I get short of breath. I also use a Bi-Pap for sleep apnea. It is a life saver for me.