[I am new to this forum and posted this inadvertently to the wrong subforum.]
Flat Back Syndrome: Where Do I Go From Here?
This is my first post. Actually, my cousin Lynn is writing it for me because I have extremely limited computer access.
As you can see from my signature below, I've already had a number of surgeries for Scoliosis, most recently in 2007. Over the last couple years I've been sliding downhill and it is believed that my cage may now be unstable. I now have Flat Back Syndrome with Sagittal Imbalance, Kyphosis, Lordosis, and I'm losing significant height [3/4" in 5 months]. The pain and fatigue are constant. And to top it off, I just found out that I have osteopenia.
I've been told that revision surgery might be of help to me. Then I've been told by another physician that it won't help me.
I recently had appointments with several doctors to discuss my condition.
Dr. O: [Neurosurgeon who does these surgeries all the time. Highly regarded.] Posterior surgery to repair would be sufficient. Requires a 5 hour myelogram pre-surgery. He believe he can help me.
Dr. S: [Orth Surgeon] Says posterior and anterior approaches are needed; then said only posterior approach needed. He does not do revision surgery. [He put in my cage in 2007.]
Dr. W: [Orth Surgeon] Says future surgery could leave me paralyzed and that it is a long and bloody surgery.
I am sure to have more questions as time goes on, but I'd like to start off with these. My questions to the forum:
1. Is there any reason why one should not have revision surgery when diagnosed with osteopenia?
2. How effective is physical therapy in lieu of surgery in cases such as mine.
Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to respond.
Lynn for Liz
PS A note from cousin Lynn: Forgive me for not having specific name of the surgery Dr. O has suggested. This is all new to me and I'm trying to learn about these conditions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Idiopathic Scoliosis [Diagnosed in Adolescence]. Flat Back Syndrome; fused from T9 to Sacrum. Kyphosis.
Surgeries:
1982: Harrington Rod; fused T9 to sacrum.
1985: Harrington rod removal [became loosened]
1987: Simple repair to fuse area around iliac crest. Anterior and Posterior approach.
2006: Stenosis. Laminectomy and Fusion with instrumentation [2 rods and 6 screws].
2007: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion; discectomy and metal interbody cage inserts [at site of broken fusion]
Flat Back Syndrome: Where Do I Go From Here?
This is my first post. Actually, my cousin Lynn is writing it for me because I have extremely limited computer access.
As you can see from my signature below, I've already had a number of surgeries for Scoliosis, most recently in 2007. Over the last couple years I've been sliding downhill and it is believed that my cage may now be unstable. I now have Flat Back Syndrome with Sagittal Imbalance, Kyphosis, Lordosis, and I'm losing significant height [3/4" in 5 months]. The pain and fatigue are constant. And to top it off, I just found out that I have osteopenia.
I've been told that revision surgery might be of help to me. Then I've been told by another physician that it won't help me.
I recently had appointments with several doctors to discuss my condition.
Dr. O: [Neurosurgeon who does these surgeries all the time. Highly regarded.] Posterior surgery to repair would be sufficient. Requires a 5 hour myelogram pre-surgery. He believe he can help me.
Dr. S: [Orth Surgeon] Says posterior and anterior approaches are needed; then said only posterior approach needed. He does not do revision surgery. [He put in my cage in 2007.]
Dr. W: [Orth Surgeon] Says future surgery could leave me paralyzed and that it is a long and bloody surgery.
I am sure to have more questions as time goes on, but I'd like to start off with these. My questions to the forum:
1. Is there any reason why one should not have revision surgery when diagnosed with osteopenia?
2. How effective is physical therapy in lieu of surgery in cases such as mine.
Thanks so much to everyone who takes the time to respond.
Lynn for Liz
PS A note from cousin Lynn: Forgive me for not having specific name of the surgery Dr. O has suggested. This is all new to me and I'm trying to learn about these conditions.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Idiopathic Scoliosis [Diagnosed in Adolescence]. Flat Back Syndrome; fused from T9 to Sacrum. Kyphosis.
Surgeries:
1982: Harrington Rod; fused T9 to sacrum.
1985: Harrington rod removal [became loosened]
1987: Simple repair to fuse area around iliac crest. Anterior and Posterior approach.
2006: Stenosis. Laminectomy and Fusion with instrumentation [2 rods and 6 screws].
2007: Anterior Lumbar Interbody Fusion; discectomy and metal interbody cage inserts [at site of broken fusion]
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