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What happens if after 3 years I'm not actually fused??

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  • #1

    What happens if after 3 years I'm not actually fused??

    Basically if you read in the non-surgical posts I have updated my thread but my question is what will most likely happen if I have had fusion surgery for scoliosis T11-L3 almost 3 years ago and my surgeon is sending me for a CT scan because he has his doubts that I am actually fused (due to a number of reasons including curving off again). I'm pretty scared. He didn't say anything about an op because hes just wants to check probably before worrying me, he said this was extremely rare like 1 in 1000. It's hard not to think the worst as you guys will know...

    What'll he do next if it is a case of an unfused spine 3 years post-op??
    Lyssie, 22y/o
    Diagnosed with Scoliosis aged 10,
    Had spinal correction and fusion T11-L3 by Mr Lam
    (August 2006 aged 17)
    Fusion and correction successful!
    Developed pain early 2008!
    Denervation left SI joint mid-2010
    Further posterior correction and fusion T2-L4 by Mr Tucker
    (October 2010 aged 22) xxx
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Just got appointment for my Xray, CT scan and MRI scan all tomorrow from 3pm onwards!
    Lyssie, 22y/o
    Diagnosed with Scoliosis aged 10,
    Had spinal correction and fusion T11-L3 by Mr Lam
    (August 2006 aged 17)
    Fusion and correction successful!
    Developed pain early 2008!
    Denervation left SI joint mid-2010
    Further posterior correction and fusion T2-L4 by Mr Tucker
    (October 2010 aged 22) xxx

    Comment

    • #3
      Lyssie,
      Good luck tomorrow and be sure to let us know what they find.
      Becky, 46 years old
      Diagnosed at 13 with mild scoliosis
      Ignored until 448/07
      Left thoracic 49* T5-T11
      Right thorocolumbar 60* T11-L4
      Surgery Monday, June 9, 2008 Oklahoma Spine Hospital
      Fused T-10 to L-5
      14 titanium pedicle screws
      Corrected to approx. 10* YEA!!!
      Email

      Comment

      • #4
        Shame he didn't tell you what would happen in the event you aren't fused, Lyssie. Now you're left to worry about it. But hopefully not for long. Good luck and please let us know.
        Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
        Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
        T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
        Osteotomies and Laminectomies
        Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

        Comment

        • #5
          Ask about BMP.

          http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_morphogenetic_protein

          My Doc used it on me. Think of it as "crazy glue for bone"

          Some Docs are trained to use it and some are not.

          Good luck
          Ed
          49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
          Pre surgery curves T70,L70
          ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
          Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada

          Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=

          My x-rays
          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214

          http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258

          Comment

          • #6
            Thank you for your replies,
            Thank you for the link that's really interesting...
            Lol aka the crazy glue thing :P

            Will let you know how I get on although today is only the scans,

            Thank youuu

            Lyss
            Lyssie, 22y/o
            Diagnosed with Scoliosis aged 10,
            Had spinal correction and fusion T11-L3 by Mr Lam
            (August 2006 aged 17)
            Fusion and correction successful!
            Developed pain early 2008!
            Denervation left SI joint mid-2010
            Further posterior correction and fusion T2-L4 by Mr Tucker
            (October 2010 aged 22) xxx

            Comment

            • #7
              Hi...

              To answer your question, it really depends on how many levels haven't fused and where those levels are. I think the most common procedure is to go back to surgery, remove the implants, clean out the areas that aren't fused, and new fusion materials (including BMP), and reinstrumenting.

              Hope all goes well for you.

              Regards,
              Linda
              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

              Comment

              • #8
                Thank you Linda that's really helpful,

                I had the CT and MRI scans along with plain Xrays and I caught a glimpse of the Xrays and it looks like I've lost quite a bit of correction, though I'm no Dr so I'll see Mr Lam and we'll take it from there I guess

                Thank youuu will keep you updated,

                Lyssie x
                Lyssie, 22y/o
                Diagnosed with Scoliosis aged 10,
                Had spinal correction and fusion T11-L3 by Mr Lam
                (August 2006 aged 17)
                Fusion and correction successful!
                Developed pain early 2008!
                Denervation left SI joint mid-2010
                Further posterior correction and fusion T2-L4 by Mr Tucker
                (October 2010 aged 22) xxx

                Comment

                • #9
                  How long before you see Mr. Lam, Lyssie?
                  Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                  Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                  T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                  Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                  Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    GOOD LUCK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
                    Lynn -30.... something
                    DxD @ 8 yrs old: 10* curve-no brace-no nothin'!
                    At age 26: Thorasic 48*/Lumbar 50*
                    At age 34: Thorasic 58*/Lumbar 60*
                    Posterior T5-L4 Fusion Jan 14th, 2009 w/Dr Tribus
                    UW Madison, WI Hospital
                    **AFTER: less than 10* Thorasic/15* Lumbar**

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      I'll be seeing him on Saturday... worried much?!?! lol

                      Was changed to Wednesday to see Mr L, xx
                      Last edited by lyssie; 07-22-2009, 10:33 AM.
                      Lyssie, 22y/o
                      Diagnosed with Scoliosis aged 10,
                      Had spinal correction and fusion T11-L3 by Mr Lam
                      (August 2006 aged 17)
                      Fusion and correction successful!
                      Developed pain early 2008!
                      Denervation left SI joint mid-2010
                      Further posterior correction and fusion T2-L4 by Mr Tucker
                      (October 2010 aged 22) xxx

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Good luck Lyssie. *hugs*
                        Surgery March 3, 2009 at almost 58, now 63.
                        Dr. Askin, Brisbane, Australia
                        T4-Pelvis, Posterior only
                        Osteotomies and Laminectomies
                        Was 68 degrees, now 22 and pain free

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Thank you Jennifer, I'm quite worried, *hugs back*x
                          Lyssie, 22y/o
                          Diagnosed with Scoliosis aged 10,
                          Had spinal correction and fusion T11-L3 by Mr Lam
                          (August 2006 aged 17)
                          Fusion and correction successful!
                          Developed pain early 2008!
                          Denervation left SI joint mid-2010
                          Further posterior correction and fusion T2-L4 by Mr Tucker
                          (October 2010 aged 22) xxx

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Hi Lyssie:

                            I had my first surgery in 1969 at age 14 and in 2006 I had a revision after years of having problems. During my 2006 surgery they did find an area L3-4 that the doctor called "pseudoarthrosis". The doctor told me he thinks it never did fuse solidly during my 1969 fusion. I was also very surprised. My doctor is Dr. Lenke in St. Louis.

                            Comment

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