I am headed for surgery on 6/6 and 6/8 with Lenke. I had prior surgeries in the late 80's with Moe and Winter. My surgery is very high risk because of my pulmonary failure. I would love to hear some stories.
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pulmonary problems, post polio
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I don't have a story to tell about being "high risk" but just wanted to say I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgeries and from what I gather, you're in great hands with Dr. Lenke who is apparently one of the best scoliosis surgeons out there.Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011
Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon
http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After
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Originally posted by Elisa View PostI don't have a story to tell about being "high risk" but just wanted to say I wish you all the best with your upcoming surgeries and from what I gather, you're in great hands with Dr. Lenke who is apparently one of the best scoliosis surgeons out there.
This. Thinking of you!Female, age 38
4 years of bracing, concluded at 42*upper/38*lower
currently 64*upper/40*lower
Fused T3-L4 on Feb 23 2011
now 32*upper/18* lower
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Thank you for your response. I am very anxious. In fact, starting to respond has just shot my anxiety higher. I know that Lenke is great and that he has a good team but my pulmonary function is very bad and I am 68. I am doing this because it offers some hope. I had a bad fall a couple of years ago and my back just started to collapse and my pulmonary function followed.
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Maybe you can explain the respiratory issue more b/c I'm not sure what exactly the problem is.
Did I dream this, or did I read that you're having 'halo' treatment? Been so busy since we got back from Portland and trying to remember others' details is hard.Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011
Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon
http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After
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I will be in halo traction for 10 days prior to surgery. I was in halo traction in the 70's before my 1st surgery and I wore a halo cast after my surgery. Although my spine is fused, Dr. Lenke thinks that a period of time in traction will aid the surgery.
I have progressive weakening of my breathing muscles do to polio. My vital capacity (lung volume) is 36%. I have too little O2 and too much CO2. It is a fragile balance. I don't expect to die during surgery, but taking me off of the ventilator could be tricky.
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Thanks for explaining and am glad I didn't just dream up the "halo" thing b/c I do tend to think about that a lot since it's still so fresh in my mind from my son's experience. ;-)Son 14 y/o diagnosed January 20th. 2011 with 110* Curve
Halo Traction & 1st. surgery on March 22nd. 2011
Spinal Fusion on April 19th. 2011
Dr. Krajbich @ Shriners Childrens Hospital, Portland Oregon
http://tinyurl.com/Elias-Before
http://tinyurl.com/Elias-After
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Low pulmonary function
Before this type of surgery consultations with the anesthesia team and pulmonologist always take place. A plan is then made just for you. With the spine straightened there is more room for the lungs to expand. Special care is taken to "wean" a person off the ventilator post surgery. In your case it might take a few days rather than hours. Pain relief is most important because, with too much pain a person cannot breathe properly. Being in the ICU is normal and a good safety plan. I definitely, after your surgery, would stay in a rehab hospital for extra pulmonary care and don't go home too soon.
By the way, if you must be on a ventilator a little longer, don't worry, they will give you some medication to make you indifferent to the whole thing while keeping you safe.
I trust, you are having this done at a large medical center???Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction
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Hi,
I just wanted to point out that one of the patient stories on Dr. Lenke's website is that of a post polio patient, "Lynn B". I wonder if the office might put you in touch with her if you expressed interest.
http://www.spinal-deformity-surgeon....oliosis/7.html
I wish you all the best in your upcoming surgery!Kathy
46 yrs at surgery, now 50
71 degree thoracolumbar curve corrected to 34 degrees
8/2/2010 surgery with Dr. Lenke
posterior T9 to sacrum with pelvic fixation
4 osteotomies and 1 cage
http://s1066.photobucket.com/albums/...athK_08022010/
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I know I'm late posting this, as I'm new to the site. However, I hope all went well with your surgery. I just wanted also for you to know that there is a whole generation of us out there, getting older now, who know that "scoliosis" and "post-polio" belong in the same sentence.
From people of my generation who had scoliosis, I remember hearing, "Maybe I had polio and didn't know it." Thank goodness polio is close to off the map now.
Aunt M.
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