I am dissappointed

[jrnyc]

hi bboomer
gosh, i am so very sad to hear that your spinal problems since surgery are no better...not having had the surgery...yet...i dont know much about sagittal imbalance...

i do know getting lots of consults...of course, i am near NYC, so it makes everything a lot easier...i still feel like i live in the boondocks, though, as i am used to living in Manhattan!
i i did fly NYC-L.A. last January, to consult with Dr Anand, evn though i knew he didnt take my insurance...needed to hear from "the horse's mouth," (or one of them ) that minimally invasive approach was do-able no matter the size of curves, age of patient, location of curves, etc...he said "Yes" to all questions! but i really flew out there for his knowledge of the procedure and for reassurance about it...6000 mile round trip and a sum of $$ later...i got the knowledge & reassurance i was seeking!

guess i am just trying to say that often another opinion (or 2) is helpful for knowledge and peace of mind...i know it is really tough when in pain...i am in waaay more pain now than a year ago! (just cancelled another flight to southern CA last month due to pain!) it is just my 2 cents, but i'd try another opinion, even if not at the Mayo Clinic (& not all teaching hospitals end up being all they are cracked up to be...found that out the hard way!)
if you can go to a surgeon/hospital closer, i'd do that...just to hear from another surgeon...as long as it is one who knows scoli....if you have any copies of MRI, etc, bring them anywhere you go..they can always order new ones if they want to

i hope you find the right guy and the right procedure...others have had successful revision...why not you...?! it will be you!

jess

[naptown78]

Hey, sorry I havn't been on here for a while, but thats how long it takes to get things done when you live in the boon docs!! I think you all know the problems I am having and have been having for the past couple months. I lean forward much too much, causing pain in my lower back and middle back also. But anyway, to make this a shorter story, I have two surgeons (one specialized in deformaties) the other is just a plain orthapedic surgeon. They tried to fix my scoliosis due to a previous surgery four yrs. ago on my lower back. They went in and used harrington rods and screws and fused me from my pelvis to T10. But I am leaning forward terrible at this time(3mo. out) and have terrible pain. Such is what I call "saggital imbalance". But my surgeons didn't really call it that. They just said that I should have been pulled back farther and fused up higher. They said it should be fixed or it will get worse. And they also talked about doing an osteotomy down by L4/5. I guess they want to talk some more and then will call me about what their plan is. And I don't know when this will be. Meanwhile I am sooo uncomfortable. And can't walk hardly at all. Don't you think this is SAGGITAL IMBALANCE? Wonder why they didn't call it that. Oh well-I know what ever it is it's not right. Do you think I should get another opinion? The surgeon said it would be fine if I wanted to. (THE Specialist). I live in So. Dak. about 200 miles from any city. And we are about 8 hrs. from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minn. Which is a well known teaching hospital. And research center. So I could go there. But it's so much more convenient to go to Sioux Falls S.Dak.(where I go now) because of relatives living there and such. Plus I know when you start over it's the hassle of new cat scans, xrays, MRI'S ect. and records to be faxed and all. But- its also my life we're talking about. I can't believe I went through that huge surgery and NOW THIS! I'm scared and depressed. Prayers would be welcome. And any input much appreciated. bboomer

Hi BabyBoomer,
I am so sorry to hear that you are continuing to suffer as you are. The good thing is you now know what the problem is and how to fix it. I know how you feel as I have been in your shoes. I had scoliosis surgery and was leaning forward too. It is a very disabling way to live. I am 6-7 months post-op from my revision surgery. I had an osteotomy at L3 which pulled me back and I can now stand up straight. I sincerely hope you are able to get the information you need to make your decisions. If you need to get a second opionion by all means, do it. You are right, it is your back and your life. I had to get another surgeon and it was the best thing for me. Oh, your doctors may not be saying "sagittal imbalance" to you because they might just be trying to simplify the language a bit for you. Do what is right for you...You are in my prayers and you will be okay...