Decisions, decisions

[jrnyc]

Oh...it was 33 Ed, not 36...? it sounds like alot!! i guess if you were fused top to bottom, each level needs 2 screws..? i think i would be fused 8 levels...i believe that was what dr neuwirth said...
how do you ski if you are fused all the way down..dont you have to bend from your hips when you ski...? i'm not a skier, but i thought that was how it was done...

thanks for the reply
jess

[LindaRacine]

Hi Jess....

That's just it... the hips aren't fused, so all your bending is done there.

Regards,
Linda

[jrnyc]

thanks linda....i guess i thought the rods & screws went all the way down....cause i thought the pelvis was below the hips...i'm just confused, i guess...

jess

[LindaRacine]

thanks linda....i guess i thought the rods & screws went all the way down....cause i thought the pelvis was below the hips...i'm just confused, i guess...

jess

Hi Jess...

The hips attach to the pelvis, but are movable joints. You can see a diagram here:

http://utepasspe.files.wordpress.com...0/skeleton.jpg

Regards,
Linda

[titaniumed]

Sharon

Yes, one of my screws backed out and fell down my shirt and pants and now it is in my sock. LOL

Around my T7 level, they did not have a "clear trajectory" in fluoroscopy and only inserted one screw on that level. You can see the major "wedging" that occurred, in the apex area. The 6th screw on the right is missing. See coronal view. You can click to enlarge the view.

Jess,
Its 33 screws. I have to count them each time, as I don't have that number memorized. Its Synthes "Pangea system" No autograft or allowgraft was used. "Peek" cages with bone morphogenetic protein BMP. You might inquire about this. Fusion happens quickly with BMP vs autograft. (about 6 months)


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_mo...netic_proteins

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PEEK

http://us.synthes.com/Products/Spine...gea+System.htm

For those who like tools....
http://products.synthes.com/prod_sup...ngeaJ6418A.pdf

I am pain free now. I know it looks like a lot, but it worked well for me. I usually get comments from other Doctors like "nice rack" LOL

Ed

[jrnyc]

Hi Ed
i dont understand the skiing, cause it looks like the rods & screws go all the way down to where your legs begin, so i dont understand how you can bend or turn from the hips..??

thanks for the reply
jess

[titaniumed]

Jess

You bend at the hip joint. These joints are un-affected. The screws come close but do not interfere with bending. Bending after a full fusion is done like the "tin man" and none of the fused area bends anymore.

When you think about it, the back really doesn't bend all that much. One thing that happens is that I cannot rotate. If I am sitting and have to turn around to look at something, I have to get up and rotate my hips in a chair.

I was cleared to ski again by my surgeon, in fact, he wants to go skiing with me. This was one of the things that really bothered me about the surgery. Not being able to ski again. It one of the reasons why I put off my surgery since 1975. I started skiing in 1962, 47 years ago,and have skied about 90 areas in the US and Canada.

I finally got up the nerve on April 7th in Park City, Utah. I am not allowed to have a high speed crash, not that I crash all the time, its just when I do crash, they are usually doozies.

I've led an extremely active life with scoliosis through the years, pain and adaptability go hand in hand. My extreme pain dictated my surgical decision, plus I was progressing rapidly in my Thoracic area.

Here are a few pics at Park City.
Ed

[jrnyc]

Thanks for the reply...the pix look great! i'm glad for you that you can go back to doing something you enjoy so much!

i understand having the surgery due to pain & progression...i am just afraid i will still have alot of pain after the surgery...i mean, after the healing process...but i've read many posts on forum that say the opposite...i guess i wont know unless/until i go thru w/surgery...

thanks for all the info....

jess

[titaniumed]

Jess

There can be complications with serious surgery. These complications should be addressed by your surgeon. These are things that we have to accept if we are to go through with surgery. Its something that we need to prepare for in advance and ponder over and needs careful consideration.

I lost my gall bladder due to the meds. This is one one the complications, it happens in 10-11% of us.

Its a gamble we take with odds for the best. The rest is covered from up above. Its a test of faith.

Its ok to be scared, we all are. You can tell your surgeon that and he will understand this.

You need to have all your ducks in a row before surgery. Keep reading and asking questions.

Ed

[jrnyc]

Hi Ed
thanks so much for all the info...i will think very carefully about everything you & others on forum advised me before making any decisions....thanks for taking the time to let me know details...

take care, enjoy your activities, be well
jess

[lapieper]

Jess,

The one thing I know for sure is what Dr Floyd told me. The older you are the harder the surgery and recovery from the surgery. He said I could wait, but the quality of my life would be greatly affected. And I might lose some movement (due to nerve damage) if I wait too long. That certainly convinced me. My biggest fear about the surgery was that I wouldn't be able to get on or off the back seat of the Harley. Of course, I can now. But I am currently limited to distance/duration, which I can live with. Just a short-term restriction for a life-time of pain-free living. Dr Floyd also said the way my facets were catching on each other could cause one of the facets to break off, causing extreme and immediate pain and could possibly be permanently disabling (spinal cord injury). That convinced me: the sooner the better. Yes, there have been (and probably will continue to be) days that I wish I hadn't had the surgery; i.e. bad spasm days, but my worst day post is 100+% better than my best pre-surgery day. I just remind myself I only have to take one day at a time, and I do have medication if needed for spasms. If I wait too long, then it's pain mediation. Take care!
Lesley

[jrnyc]

Thanx, Les...glad you are doing well....
i have lots to think about!

take care
jess

[Vali]

Hi Jess, just thought of this. During my initial consult about the surgery, I was very stressed, therefore with permission by all parties and privacy assured (first name basis only) he had a previous patient contact me so we could chat about the whole experience. The lady he put me in touch with, was so helpful (which reminds me, I have to touch base with her again)that this put my mind at ease. Maybe you could try this?

[jrnyc]

Hi Vali
you have been so helpful to me...others on this forum have been as well.....and i am very very grateful...

i have lots of information...but on days when the pain isnt as bad, i decide against surgery...on days when the pain is excruciating, i decide i MUST have the surgery & WILL have it...but no matter what i decide, i want to thank everyone who has been so kind in taking the time to write & answer my (many) questions & who show such kindness & patience! some write on this forum, some private message, but all are gracious & generous!

thanks so much...& bless you..

jess