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  • I'm another new one here seeking support

    Let me first introduce myself. I am a 57 year old female facing surgery for double major curves of 78 degrees. I would like to find a scoliosis specialist who has vast experience with adult patients in the Houston area. So far I haven't found one and the spine specialist I went to here couldn't give me any names except for doctors who mostly operate on adolescents and young people.

    I wore a Milwaukee brace for 3 years during my jr. high years over 45 years ago. At the time I was told my curvature would not progress. As many of you know that advice was not true and I find myself now trying to save my life before my spine gets any worse.

    My research has led me to Dr. Shelokov in Plano Texas and I am excited about and looking forward to my first visit with him later this month. However, if there is a highly recommended doctor in Houston, that would be so much easier for me.

    If anyone can recommend a doctor in Houston that you have experience with, it would help me so much....at least I could get 2 opinions on the best route I should take. Please.....I only want doctors who do scoliosis surgery on older adults.... people like me! I know there are a lot of competent doctors for the young ones but the risks are so much greater at my age and I want an experienced, highly specialized doctor in the Houston area if there is one.

    Thank you so much for this forum and I look forward to visiting with you all.
    Last edited by Marcia; 04-09-2006, 09:01 PM.

  • #2
    Hi Marcia,
    I'm from NJ so can't help you with Dr.s in your area but I do wish you good thoughts & sure you will find a good surgeon. It amazes me how many women in their 40-50's develop these severe curves. Do you have children?? I know my scoliosis got very bad after the birth of my second child. I also wore the milwaukee brace 2 yrs in high school..........Ly 46 yrs old surg in Aug...

    Comment


    • #3
      Marcia -

      Welcome. While, I personally cannot recommend a surgeon in the Houston area, I am hopeful that someone may be able to point you in the right direction.

      I wish you the best of luck.

      Brandi
      Brandi
      Congenital Scoliosis, 58* lumbar curve
      Combined Anterior/Posterior Spinal Fusion w/Laminectomy May 22, 2006
      L1-S1
      Dr. William Lauerman
      Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
      Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy @ L3, Posterior Spinal Fusion L2-L4, rod removal with re-instrumentation T10-S1 and Laminectomy February 5, 2009 to correct flatback
      http://brandi816.wordpress.com/

      Comment


      • #4
        I can recommend any of the doctors at SpineAustin in Austin (obviously). I know it's not Houston, but it's a little closer than Dallas. www.spineaustin.com
        Bryan

        Corrected T4 to L4 in May 2006
        Thoracolumbar Curve
        Before 65 Degrees - After 26 Degrees
        Thoracic Curve
        Before 52 Degrees - After 25 Degrees

        Comment


        • #5
          Hi,

          I remember in an old thread, Dave Wolpert who wrote, "Scoliosis Surgery; the Definitive Patient's Reference", highly recommended Dr. Kurt Von Rueden, who's name pops up on the www.spineaustin.com website.

          Renee

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          • #6
            I really appreciate finally getting some responses to my question. I'm still holding out for some responses to Houston doctors. I have two sons who live in the Dallas area so if the surgery has to be done out of town, Plano is the best choice for me. I have heard of the Austin doctors and read Dave Wolperts latest edition of his book.

            Through searching I did come up with a Dr. Hansen in Houston and have an appointment with him. But I have to wait 4 months before he can see him. I've already waited 4 months to see the doctor in Dallas/Plano area.

            How long did you all go between searching to find a scoliosis specialist, having your appointments, and then having your surgery?

            Thanks for your kind responses so far!

            Comment


            • #7
              Marcia -

              I started with my general orthopedist last May. He ordered an x-ray of my spine and confirmed I had congenital scoliosis, spina bifida occulta, and a hemivertebra. He ordered an MRI of my thoracic and lumbar spine to check for underlying concerns and saw a couple of herniated disks, a dessicated disk and spinal stenosis. He told me I needed surgery (spinal fusion) but he wasn't the one to do it. I wanted to try a conservative treatment so I went to a Pain Management clinic for epidural steroid injections, I had three and none of them worked. I had a selective nerve root block which also did not work. My Pain doctor sent me to a neurosurgeon who also agreed that I needed a fusion and a laminectomy to free up my compressed nerves. My neurosurgeon sent me to an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in the treatment of scoliosis for adults and children (Dr. William Lauerman in Washington, DC). It took 3 months for me to get an appointment with this guy. He also confirmed I needed a fusion (anterior and posterior) and a laminectomy. He ordered a CT scan and we set a date.

              It certainly has been a lengthy process. But for me, a necessary one. In the end, I have a consensus of opinion from three doctors (4, if you count my pain doc). I am going to have surgery in May and feel I have made an informed decision.

              Brandi
              Brandi
              Congenital Scoliosis, 58* lumbar curve
              Combined Anterior/Posterior Spinal Fusion w/Laminectomy May 22, 2006
              L1-S1
              Dr. William Lauerman
              Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC
              Pedicle Subtraction Osteotomy @ L3, Posterior Spinal Fusion L2-L4, rod removal with re-instrumentation T10-S1 and Laminectomy February 5, 2009 to correct flatback
              http://brandi816.wordpress.com/

              Comment


              • #8
                I also can't help with finding a local doctor for you but as for your questions;
                How long did you all go between searching to find a scoliosis specialist, having your appointments, and then having your surgery?
                It took me 5 years to find my surgeon. I saw 19 different orthos and neurologists and chiros and primary care physicians before finding him and then it was a battle with my insurance to allow me to see him and then I had to go so far as getting my states insurance division involved because they were not going to let him treat me. I had to prove there was no other capable surgeon who was a)willing to do my surgery or b) could do my surgery.
                It was a long tough road but now I'm 2 months post op and doing great. Don't give up! I know it seems like you wait and wait and wait to be seen and hopes go up and down and it's so nerve wracking at times. Just don't give up.

                best wishes!
                36 year old single mom of teens ages 14 & 15.
                Anterior/posterior spinal fusion on February 9th & 16th 2006 with Dr. Anthony Moreno who now has his own practice.
                Fused from T-3 to S-1 (sacrum)
                Curve pre-op = 70 degrees
                Curve post op = 20 degrees
                No pain anymore!!
                Google is your friend

                I am not a doctor and will never give medical advice. I will support and answer questions from personal experience only.

                Comment


                • #9
                  You all are so helpful!

                  With my age, 57, being a factor that means I must move as quickly as possible while making sure I have the best doctor. I started out with an orthopedic doctor. He sent me to a spine specialist. He said I need to find (in his words) a world renowned specialist because of the severity of my curve and my age of 57. But he wasn't too positive about any doctors he could recommend in Houston.

                  Isn't it odd that in a huge city like Houston where people come from all over the world to our world renowned medical center, there aren't any big names in scoliosis treatment for older adults!

                  I have a feeling I will be going through some of the same headaches as Katblack with my insurance. I haven't gotten that far along yet. So glad to hear that your surgery has been a success!

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    Hi Marcia...

                    I've heard nothing but good things about Barton Sachs from Plano. He has excellent training:

                    http://www.texasback.com/spine_4.htm

                    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


                    • #11
                      waiting for appointments!!!

                      If your wait seems too long--months--try being put on their cancellation list.
                      Sometimes something opens up if another patient cancels.
                      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

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Hi Marcia. I know how you feel !!!!!!!!!! It was hard for me to find ortho's that treats spines, then scoliotic spines and finally adult scoliosos. It took me a while ....so I know what your going through not even my primary Dr knew how to find an ortho with those descriptions.

                        Any way if this can help you I started my own research and with the help of www.iscoliosis.com I pulled the list of Dr.s in my area and called them one by one until I found a couple that work with our adult scoliosis. Unfortunally I'm in Georgia but I pulled the list and you have many more options than what I got here in Georgia.

                        I hope this info can Help you and good luck with your research.

                        ....Angela....
                        Angela

                        Idiopatic Scoliosis
                        Thoracic-lumbar = 53 degrees
                        3 disc with early degeneration and
                        1 disc with a hernia
                        no surgery as of yet

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Angela, I had surgery in Nashville, TN with Dr. David McCord. He is awfully good in my book... I don't know how far Nashville is from where u are in Georgia, but it might be worth a try if all else fails. Also, there are some good spine surgeons in Chattanooga and in Huntsville, AL i discovered online. All are in your 'general' area. The only thing about travelling a far distance for surgery is the coming home afterwards can be torture!!! I can attest to that!
                          Good luck and God bless!

                          JoAnn

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                          • #14
                            I appreciate all your suggestions. I did call to see about being put on a waiting list in case someone cancels. They said they didn't do that but I could just keep calling back every so often....so that is what I will do.

                            At this point I want to find the right doctor and get the surgery over with. It seems now that I know I have to have it, everything in my life as far as what I can commit to is "on hold!"

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Marcia,
                              good luck!! I'm sure you will find a good surgeon even if you have to go a bit out of your area. The decision to have/not to have/ the surgery is a big decision. Once that is made,(at least for me) there is a weight lifted off of you. New worries, of course, but you're on the road............Ly

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