I was on this site before having my surgery in 2009 and periodically had checked in. I was fused T-8 - Sacrum. Apparently my Kyphosis was more problematic at the time and that is what the surgery was for. Before the surgery I could barely walk feeling my hips for some reason would lock up or make it really difficult to walk unless I stopped for a few minutes. After the surgery I was able to walk without that problem for a few years I guess but it's been about 2 years or so that the same issue is back. Also, after the fusion, my scoliosis or lopsidedness was clearly making some problems for me. I am right handed but I can only use my left hand to take care of personal hygiene. My right arm and hand does not reach that area at all. I had to give a urine for my GP a couple of years ago and had recently had hand surgery. Consequently, I could not give them the sample because one hand didn't reach and the other was in a cast. If you look at me head on it is obvious which shoulder is lower resulting in more reach to that side. Anyway, this past December I had to get a 5 level cervical fusion (posterior) or ran the risk of having no use of the left arm. I woke up one day and it had stopped working. It didn't hurt it just stopped working. I was fused C2-C7 which left me with about a 2-3 inch area that was not fused. I asked him to do the whole thing but he said no. They had me so frightened about losing the ability to use my left arm that I never sought a second opinion which normally I do. After the scale fusion, a 3 level lumbar fusion and a laminectomy in 1987 without a doubt the pain from this last surgery was hands down the worst I have ever had but part of that had to do with the "war on opiates." Anyway the problem is besides my hip area making walking difficult I now cannot hold my head or my back straight and all that makes walking almost a joke. I apologize for this long winded vent but if I don't want to spend the rest of my life in a wheel chair (refuse to use) I will need surgery. None of the doctors I would like to meet with take Medicare so I am not sure what I should do. I am 68 so not a spring chicken but also not a roasted chicken. I just want to be able to walk a block without having to stop first. Oh yeah I have both hips replaced & one new knee and don't ask how many hand surgeries.
Thank you for allowing me to vent.
Weasel
Thank you for allowing me to vent.
Weasel
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