It's the bill that hurts!

[Amaka]

Hi all,

I am a bit new to all this so, please forgive my ignorance.

Linda, about the conference and rods used in India, please can anyone tell me what the best rods are. I do not know the difference. I want the best because I hope to the the operation once.

Also I know there is a forum discussing breasts an how it is affected by Scoliosis. Did it affect anyone here and how. Is anyone considering breast augmentation.

Thanks

A

[marmyte]

harringtons aren't used in the UK (or shouldn't be, i know tucker doesn't use them) it's not something you have to worry about if he's your surgeon.

[LindaRacine]

Hi Amaka...

There is no way to know which implants are the best. Harrington rods have been around the longest, and are known to cause problems when used in some circumstances.

--Linda

[dmiteva]

UK vs. US

Hi everyone,

The discussion became quite interesting comparing UK and US.

I live in UK, my husband is from Texas. I have been looking for a treatment for my brother who has kyphoscoliosis and his condition is quite complicated with huge lung failure (pneumonia in Feb 2007 and in clinic now to recover after 21 days on respiratory machine). His right lung (that is the bigger part for him) is severely damaged and he needs the surgery to open his left side and give chance for the left lung to breath otherwise he needs oxygen!

I have been looking mainly for surgeons in US although haven't figured out how to approach the payment problem. However, looking at the posts here about UK got me interested and being in London I am going to try and meet with Dr. Tucker to find out more.

Please if anyone has opinion on where I can find better treatment - please let me know. My brother is 34, we have never done anything to improve his condition, I was away for the last 6 years seeing him just once per year and believe his condition has worsen for this period. With the lung problems now things are looking really bad and I need a doctor who will take the risk!

Thank you in advance.
Daniela

[Karen Ocker]

Dr. who would "take the risk"

If your brother's lungs are that bad now there is no guarantee anyone could operate because of the anesthesia. This is because, when an anterior approach is used-and usually needed for severe cases, one lung only gets the anesthesia while the other lung in the operative fiield is allowed to collapse because it get's in the surgeon's way. Some people whose lungs were overly compressed by the scoliosis cannot tolerate what we call in my profession: "one lung anesthesia".

I suggest trying the German Schroth method which involves intensive PT, exercises, braces, myofascial release. This could possibly get him in shape for a surgical procedure but I am not sure about permanent results for adults. There are definite studies showing adolescents need fewer surgical interventions who use this technique.