Well, I'm going to do some serious research on this type of new spinal surgery.
When I had my first Scoliosis surgery, I was told that it would never be possible to remove the rods because my fusion would break. I was also told that the rods couldn't be causing me pain. But ten years after my surgery I was told that yes, the rods could be removed, and that yes, they often caused people pain. So medical opinion changes, and so does research and medical devices. It all depends who you ask. You never know what will be invented or discovered. There are some great young spinal researches out there. And the internet is amazing for research.
For years I have wondered why they couldn't make a flexible spinal rod. I was told it would never be possible. And yet now spinal surgeons have finally done just that - invented a flexible rod. They don't seem to be using it for adult Scoliosis yet, but they are using it for lumbar vertebrae degeneration. Since I have now been diagnosed with collapsed L 4 and 5 as well as every other degenerative condition below my fusion, I am going to try to get this new surgery done instead of a standard fusion. I will NOT lose what little flexibility I have left in my spine without a fight. It may come to that, but at least I will have tried.
I have also been told by spinal surgeons that it is not possible to undo or break a fusion, but then again it depends who you ask, since a spinal surgeon recently refuted this to me. So maybe someday people who are fused to the sacrum will be able to be unfused and refused with flexible rods.
Fusion surgery effects us all differently, just as pain does; it's all subjective and depends on the individual. For me, flexibility is very important. The loss of it bothered me from the moment I woke up after the first surgery and continues to bother me. And there are thousands of people who had Harrington Rod/long fusion surgeries like me, and who are now disabled from lumbar pain and degeneration. In my opinion, we need to demand some good research and cutting edge technologies for our lumbar revisions.
I will be doing many hours of research on this in the next six months. I'm disabled from the pain, and I have the time. I won't be posting often on this site because I'm not looking for medical or other advice; I need a clear, unbiased head to approach this research. However, if anyone has any specific research articles or links on flexible fusion lumbar surgery for patients that have already been fused for scoliosis, I'd be grateful. I will post at the end of my research for those who might be interested. i know there are many silent voices on this site.
Thanks and best regards,
When I had my first Scoliosis surgery, I was told that it would never be possible to remove the rods because my fusion would break. I was also told that the rods couldn't be causing me pain. But ten years after my surgery I was told that yes, the rods could be removed, and that yes, they often caused people pain. So medical opinion changes, and so does research and medical devices. It all depends who you ask. You never know what will be invented or discovered. There are some great young spinal researches out there. And the internet is amazing for research.
For years I have wondered why they couldn't make a flexible spinal rod. I was told it would never be possible. And yet now spinal surgeons have finally done just that - invented a flexible rod. They don't seem to be using it for adult Scoliosis yet, but they are using it for lumbar vertebrae degeneration. Since I have now been diagnosed with collapsed L 4 and 5 as well as every other degenerative condition below my fusion, I am going to try to get this new surgery done instead of a standard fusion. I will NOT lose what little flexibility I have left in my spine without a fight. It may come to that, but at least I will have tried.
I have also been told by spinal surgeons that it is not possible to undo or break a fusion, but then again it depends who you ask, since a spinal surgeon recently refuted this to me. So maybe someday people who are fused to the sacrum will be able to be unfused and refused with flexible rods.
Fusion surgery effects us all differently, just as pain does; it's all subjective and depends on the individual. For me, flexibility is very important. The loss of it bothered me from the moment I woke up after the first surgery and continues to bother me. And there are thousands of people who had Harrington Rod/long fusion surgeries like me, and who are now disabled from lumbar pain and degeneration. In my opinion, we need to demand some good research and cutting edge technologies for our lumbar revisions.
I will be doing many hours of research on this in the next six months. I'm disabled from the pain, and I have the time. I won't be posting often on this site because I'm not looking for medical or other advice; I need a clear, unbiased head to approach this research. However, if anyone has any specific research articles or links on flexible fusion lumbar surgery for patients that have already been fused for scoliosis, I'd be grateful. I will post at the end of my research for those who might be interested. i know there are many silent voices on this site.
Thanks and best regards,
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