4.5 yrs ago I started to feel stiffness and pain that moved around between different part of my back and legs. Imaging showed only scoliosis T 45/ L35. After 2 yrs of trying pt, accupuncture, massage and injections without benefit, I did the surgery and was fused T4-L1. My symptoms got worse and now 2.5 yrs later they are still getting worse. I have so far seen 16 drs of different specialties, but nobody knows what is going on. I take 3 muscle relaxers and narcotics for pain and I can do little. I don't know what to do or where to go. Totally lost
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Hi...
Are you in Dallas or Plano? The doctors that do a lot of complex spine surgery are Michael O'Brien (Plano), Isador Lieberman (Plano), and John Herring (Dallas), as well as Mike LaGrone in Amarillo. If you haven't been to see at least one of them, I wouldn't give up just yet.
--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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Hi Linda
Originally posted by LindaRacine View PostHi...
Are you in Dallas or Plano? The doctors that do a lot of complex spine surgery are Michael O'Brien (Plano), Isador Lieberman (Plano), and John Herring (Dallas), as well as Mike LaGrone in Amarillo. If you haven't been to see at least one of them, I wouldn't give up just yet.
--Linda
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Assuming that your problems are not in your head, you just haven't found the right specialist yet. You might want to try Keith Bridwell or Larry Lenke in St. Louis.Never 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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i am wondering what X rays show...??
also, the suggestion about seeing Dr Lenke..
it seems he solves problems many others cannot figure out...
it seems like a smart suggestion to me...
hope you feel better...please do not give up...
every problem has a solution...
you need the right guy to solve yours...
hope you feel better...
jess...and Sparky
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Dr. Lenke impossible to see
Originally posted by LindaRacine View PostAssuming that your problems are not in your head, you just haven't found the right specialist yet. You might want to try Keith Bridwell or Larry Lenke in St. Louis.
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What about Dr. Bridwell? I think he has a lower threshold, and he works with Lenke. And also I thought Lenke would see revision patients with smaller curves? (Most people aren't going to meet his 70 degree threshold after having surgery?)
Also, have you had a CT scan to check for non-scoliosis related problems?age 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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CT scan
Originally posted by Confusedmom View PostWhat about Dr. Bridwell? I think he has a lower threshold, and he works with Lenke. And also I thought Lenke would see revision patients with smaller curves? (Most people aren't going to meet his 70 degree threshold after having surgery?)
Also, have you had a CT scan to check for non-scoliosis related problems?
I have had several MRI's that showed nothing. I don't know if CT scan shows different things.
Dr. Lenke's assistant refused to grant me an appointment despite all my begging and poor quality of life. Sometimes I feel lost between the world of the living and that of the dead. I have vital signs, but can't do much to keep my pain and stiffness at a reasonable level.
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Did you explain that you would be a revision patient -- that it's not your first surgery?age 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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I think Evelyn (confused mom) made a good suggestion. I would call again and stress that you have already had surgery and have extreme problems. Maybe you told Dr. Lenke's staff . . . if so, I don't understand why he wouldn't take you as a patient.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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i agree with the two posts above...
also...babyboomer was a revision patient, yet Lenke did her surgery
and didn't seem to object to doing a revision...
another thing...every now and then it can help, when long distances on
telephone are involved, to exaggerate a little...it isn't fair that patients
should need to do that, just to get in to see a surgeon, but it is sometimes needed and can often help the patient to get the first meeting with the surgeon...
good luck...
jess...and Sparky
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Will try again
Originally posted by golfnut View PostI think Evelyn (confused mom) made a good suggestion. I would call again and stress that you have already had surgery and have extreme problems. Maybe you told Dr. Lenke's staff . . . if so, I don't understand why he wouldn't take you as a patient.
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