BabyBoomer--I'm so sorry--this was not the answer you were looking for. I completely agree with Jennifer & she always says it so well. Give the pt a try while you have time to sort through all of this. Best of luck. Keep us informed--we're all here to help as much as we can. Janet
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Janet
61 years old--57 for surgery
Diagnosed in 1965 at age of 13--no brace
Thoracic Curve: 96 degrees to 35 degrees
Lumbar Curve: 63 degrees to 5 degrees
Surgery with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis--March 30, 2009
T-2 to Pelvis, and hopefully all posterior procedure.
All was posterior along with 2 cages and 6 osteotomies.
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Sorry to hear that. At least he was honest. I hope mine is being honest with me.
JanetLast edited by jsully; 09-20-2010, 06:13 AM.36 year young cardiac RN
old curve C 29, T 70, L 50
new curve C 7, T 23, L 20
Surgery June 11, UCH, Dr. Cronen T2-L5, posterior
Revision December 20 L5-S1 with pelvic fixation
and Osteotomy to L3 at Tampa General Hospital
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Awh honey....I am so sorry to hear this. Maybe PT will make a difference for you. ((Hugs))__________________________________________
Debbe - 50 yrs old
Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
Told by Dr. my curve would never progress
Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees
Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees
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BabyBoomer,
Yes I have had your same problem and gone through a revision just 6 months ago. I went through all the same emotions as you, going through such a major spinal fusion and then not having it be as successful as what you wanted it to be. I had PT also, it did help in strengthening my back and my legs but in the end it did not help me straighten up. Maybe it will help you. We are all different ;-) I absolutely know what you mean about not wanting to go through another surgery. It was 2 years between my surgeries. For me it just came to a point where I couldn't live in my body anymore. Just so you know, the surgery to fix this is not an easier surgery. Expect to go through the same type of recovery. Not trying to scare you but for some reason, people seem to think revision surgeries are easier. If you do opt to go through surgery though, just know that you can do it! You already know that you have survived the first surgery so you can survive this one. The most important thing is to find a surgeon that does revisions like this all the time. I'm not sure where you live but if you live near Indy, Dr Terry Trammel is excellent! My results were wonderful, and I was able to stand upright immediately! I could tell that this was what should have happened the first time ;-)))
Good luck and if you have any questions, I am here for you....May 2008 Fusion T4 - S1, Pre-op Curves T45, L70 (age 48). Unsuccessful surgery.
March 18, 2010 (age 50). Revision with L3 Osteotomy, Replacement of hardware T11 - S1 , addition of bilateral pelvic fixation. Correction of sagittal imbalance and kyphosis.
January 24, 2012 (age 52) Revision to repair pseudoarthrosis and 2 broken rods at L3/L4.
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Originally posted by naptown78 View PostBabyBoomer,
Yes I have had your same problem and gone through a revision just 6 months ago. I went through all the same emotions as you, going through such a major spinal fusion and then not having it be as successful as what you wanted it to be. I had PT also, it did help in strengthening my back and my legs but in the end it did not help me straighten up. Maybe it will help you. We are all different ;-) I absolutely know what you mean about not wanting to go through another surgery. It was 2 years between my surgeries. For me it just came to a point where I couldn't live in my body anymore. Just so you know, the surgery to fix this is not an easier surgery. Expect to go through the same type of recovery. Not trying to scare you but for some reason, people seem to think revision surgeries are easier. If you do opt to go through surgery though, just know that you can do it! You already know that you have survived the first surgery so you can survive this one. The most important thing is to find a surgeon that does revisions like this all the time. I'm not sure where you live but if you live near Indy, Dr Terry Trammel is excellent! My results were wonderful, and I was able to stand upright immediately! I could tell that this was what should have happened the first time ;-)))
Good luck and if you have any questions, I am here for you....Linda Brozik~~60 yrs. old at time of Lenke's first surgery. 62 now!
Surgery 2006 L3/4 L4/5 double fusion/ instumentation/ With 2 cages
This started adult onset scoliosis
July 1st, 2010/ surgery ~~fused T10 to pelvis (long rods/ screws)
Oct.20th 2010, extended rods to T4 / did osteotomy at L3
Oct. 29th 2012 Dr. Lenke St. Louis Mo. T4 to sacrum osteotomy anterior cage L3/4 titanium rods
May 30th 2013 revision
May 8th cervicle surgery 2016
May 31st Dr. Gupta revision 2017
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Hi boomer. Seems I have an apology to make for saying the revision surgery is not as bad as the original. I was sure I'd read that here somewhere! Naptown has proven me wrong.
I'm glad though, that you now have someone who's experienced the revision, who can answer your questions. Best of luck boomer!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
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Originally posted by JenniferG View PostHi boomer. Seems I have an apology to make for saying the revision surgery is not as bad as the original. I was sure I'd read that here somewhere! Naptown has proven me wrong.
I'm glad though, that you now have someone who's experienced the revision, who can answer your questions. Best of luck boomer!
Lol, no need for apologies! I think generally its just a misunderstanding on the board that a revision like I had is easier. Its not. I had half my rods and screws taken out and replaced along with an osteotomy done. There is still fusion that has to take place but I was lucky and tolerated my surgery very well ;-)May 2008 Fusion T4 - S1, Pre-op Curves T45, L70 (age 48). Unsuccessful surgery.
March 18, 2010 (age 50). Revision with L3 Osteotomy, Replacement of hardware T11 - S1 , addition of bilateral pelvic fixation. Correction of sagittal imbalance and kyphosis.
January 24, 2012 (age 52) Revision to repair pseudoarthrosis and 2 broken rods at L3/L4.
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hi bboomer
i am so sorry for the problems you've run into since the surgery...
i wouldn't expect anyone to be ready to hear about yet another major surgery, right after having just had a major surgery! too much to absorb, too fast!
from living on this planet many years, and from being a social worker, i know a little bit about how people handle shock and grief...it can take quite a while to process....and often literally involves going thru the stages of grief!
perhaps, after you have had a while to rest, both physically and mentally, you will be able to assess how much or little PT helps you...
after that, if enough time has passed, you may be ready to consider another operation...
i hope you can rest, heal, relax, and just take care of yourself...you have been through so much lately!
best wishes for quiet healing time...
jess
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Thamks so much!
Originally posted by jrnyc View Posthi bboomer
i am so sorry for the problems you've run into since the surgery...
i wouldn't expect anyone to be ready to hear about yet another major surgery, right after having just had a major surgery! too much to absorb, too fast!
from living on this planet many years, and from being a social worker, i know a little bit about how people handle shock and grief...it can take quite a while to process....and often literally involves going thru the stages of grief!
perhaps, after you have had a while to rest, both physically and mentally, you will be able to assess how much or little PT helps you...
after that, if enough time has passed, you may be ready to consider another operation...
i hope you can rest, heal, relax, and just take care of yourself...you have been through so much lately!
best wishes for quiet healing time...
jessLinda Brozik~~60 yrs. old at time of Lenke's first surgery. 62 now!
Surgery 2006 L3/4 L4/5 double fusion/ instumentation/ With 2 cages
This started adult onset scoliosis
July 1st, 2010/ surgery ~~fused T10 to pelvis (long rods/ screws)
Oct.20th 2010, extended rods to T4 / did osteotomy at L3
Oct. 29th 2012 Dr. Lenke St. Louis Mo. T4 to sacrum osteotomy anterior cage L3/4 titanium rods
May 30th 2013 revision
May 8th cervicle surgery 2016
May 31st Dr. Gupta revision 2017
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Hi bboomer 16. I am disappointed too. I had like 2 good days last week and now I am having a lot of troulble standing up and walking straight without bending over and tilting my hips. I looked up flatback on the computer and it explains how I feel. I just placed a call to my MD. I'll let you know what he says.
JanetLast edited by jsully; 09-24-2010, 03:54 PM.36 year young cardiac RN
old curve C 29, T 70, L 50
new curve C 7, T 23, L 20
Surgery June 11, UCH, Dr. Cronen T2-L5, posterior
Revision December 20 L5-S1 with pelvic fixation
and Osteotomy to L3 at Tampa General Hospital
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My Dr assured me today I do not have flatback luckily. He said for that I would have to have no lordosis or kyphosis in order to have a flatback and I have both. I may have to have my lower disc added on though with pelvic fixation if the pain in my lower back doesn't improve. I am happy to find out that this surgery does not require removing the rods or other hardware and we can just "add on" to the exisisting fusion if needed.
Janet36 year young cardiac RN
old curve C 29, T 70, L 50
new curve C 7, T 23, L 20
Surgery June 11, UCH, Dr. Cronen T2-L5, posterior
Revision December 20 L5-S1 with pelvic fixation
and Osteotomy to L3 at Tampa General Hospital
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That's great news, Janet! I'm so glad to hear you don't have flat back, and if you do have to have more surgery is won't be as major. Hopefully your pain will subside with more time and you'll be in the clear!
Evelynage 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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Bad news for me!
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. bboomerLinda Brozik~~60 yrs. old at time of Lenke's first surgery. 62 now!
Surgery 2006 L3/4 L4/5 double fusion/ instumentation/ With 2 cages
This started adult onset scoliosis
July 1st, 2010/ surgery ~~fused T10 to pelvis (long rods/ screws)
Oct.20th 2010, extended rods to T4 / did osteotomy at L3
Oct. 29th 2012 Dr. Lenke St. Louis Mo. T4 to sacrum osteotomy anterior cage L3/4 titanium rods
May 30th 2013 revision
May 8th cervicle surgery 2016
May 31st Dr. Gupta revision 2017
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Baby Boomer,
I am so sorry you are having such problems. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers!!!!Karen
Surgery-Jan. 5, 2011-Dr. Lenke
Fusion T-4-sacrum-2 cages/5 osteotomies
70 degree thoracolumbar corrected to 25
Rib Hump-GONE!
Age-60 at the time of surgery
Now 66
Avid Golfer & Tap Dancer
Retired Kdgn. Teacher
See photobucket link for:
Video of my 1st Day of Golf Post-Op-3/02/12-Bradenton, FL
Before and After Picture of back 1/7/11
tap dancing picture at 10 mos. post op 11/11/11-I'm the one on the right.
http://s1119.photobucket.com/albums/k630/pottoff2/
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Originally posted by babyboomer16 View PostHey, 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
If they truly used Harrington rods, that I suspect the deformity surgeon really isn't one. However, I think it's very possible that you're using Harrington rods in the generic way (like Kleenix).
I wouldn't expect the general orthopaedist to know much about sagittal balance, but if the other doc is really a deformity specialist, he should know about it. It's possible that they're just not using the term with you.
If you can get copies of your xrays, I'd be happy to get someone to look at them and comment.
Regards,
LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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