I have read many post op stories and everyone talks about a back brace. My surgeon told me I wouldn't have one at all. Is this because I am having rods on both sides of my spine or does everyone have rods with this type of surgery. If so why doesn't he use a back brace?
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Carol,
With the newer instrumentation for scoliosis surgery I think everyone gets two rods one on either side of the spine. I know the old Harrington rod was only a single rod and in a small amount of cases they would use two.
The post op surgery brace that you are talking about is pretty much what your doctor prefers to do. With all three of my surgeries I have never used a post op brace.Theresa
April 8 & 12, 2004 - Anterior/Posterior surgery 15 hours & 7 hours
Thorasic - 79 degree down to 22
Lumbar - 44 degree down to 18
Fused T2 to sacrum
June 2, 2005 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @L3 7 hours
MAY 21, 2007 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @ L2, extended the fusion to S2 and added pelvic instrumentation 9 hours
FUSED T2 - SACRUM 2
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I am just over two weeks post op and I have a brace. Before my surgery I talked to a 16 year old girl who had the same surgery and she wasn't given a brace either. I think it's just doctor's preference. It is possible that doctors brace older people but not teens? I don't think it is any cause for concern. I was told at home when I'm primarily resting that I don't have to wear my brace but just when I leave the house. I think the brace is mostly for protection, not for maintaining our new backs.Sonia
58*
Surgery 6/29/07
T3-L4
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Sonia,
I was 48, 49, and 50 years old when I had my surgeries with no brace. So I don't think it has to do with age, only the doctor's preference.Theresa
April 8 & 12, 2004 - Anterior/Posterior surgery 15 hours & 7 hours
Thorasic - 79 degree down to 22
Lumbar - 44 degree down to 18
Fused T2 to sacrum
June 2, 2005 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @L3 7 hours
MAY 21, 2007 - Pedicle subtraction osteotomy @ L2, extended the fusion to S2 and added pelvic instrumentation 9 hours
FUSED T2 - SACRUM 2
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I am 52 and he said no brace, so I agree it must be the doctors own preference and he did mention about the muscles getting weak.
I wasn't concerned just wanting to know as much as I can prior to the surgery.
Thanks everyone!CarolS
68 degree right lumbar scoliosis, mild kyphosis at L1-2
Anterior/Posterior Correction, T8 to Sacrum, Sept 20th, 2007
Osteotomy March 20,2008
Thrilled with results!
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No brace for me either....
I was somewhat of an oddity at the Baylor Rehab in Dallas- the nurses could not believe I had 13 levels of fusion and no brace..all of the other patients there at that time did have one. I was quite glad I did not have one....LisaLisa age 47
T curve 69 degrees
L curve 40 degrees more or less - compensatory
fused to from T-3 to sacrum
anterior and posterior surgeries completed June 1, 2007
pushing hard in recovery !!
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No brace here!
The first thing I did when I woke up was move my feet. The second was asking the nurses if I needed a brace. Pre-surgery my surgeon said if he had room to get two rows of screws in, no brace, but if only one row went in, I would need one. I didn't want one, I had had one for years before!! And fortuanately enough, the two rows went in and I didn't have to get the brace. I think a lot of it is doctor preference though, because some of the surgeons I met with pre-surgery told me it was required no matter what.Chloe
Surgery date: December 12, 2005
Pre op lumbar curve: 68 degrees, thoracic curve: 38 degrees
Post op lumbar curve: 25 degrees, thoracic curve: 15
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I also believe it is purely the drs preference. I will have one, but had that as one of my initial questions for for the dr. When I asked, he looked pensive, as though he expected me to argue against one. However, with the twins, I am happy that I'll have one. Not so much as protection, but as a constant reminder to me and them (and my husband - he's a real driving force around here to get things done) that I can't do some things.
AnnLast edited by Houston Curves; 07-21-2007, 11:05 PM.44 year old female
Surgery on Nov. 1, 2010
Dr. Darrell Hanson, Methodist Hospital
Posterior Only, 9 hours
Presurgical: T 61 Degrees, L 58 degrees, with 15 degrees of thoracolumbar rotation
Postsurgical: T 26, L 25
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My daughter has rods on both sides of her spine and she did not need a brace. Her doctor explained that a brace is usually only used if one rod is put in. Then you only wear the brace until the bone has healed around the fusion. It is just for support so the rod doesn't slip. I have one rod and had to wear a body cast for 9 months (that was back when they were plaster and you couldn't take them off to bathe.)T12- L5 fusion 1975 - Rochester, NY
2002 removal of bottom of rod and extra fusion
3/1/11 C5-C6 disc replacement
Daughter - T7 - L3 fusion 2004
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