Imbalance

[RitaR]

Update: November 8, 2022, I underwent a total fusion revision by Dr Berven in San Francisco. 10-1/2 hr surgery. I had screws in wrong place, screws that were too short, couple herniated discs and sagittal imbalance issue. I did great postop, however I had a dural tear. 2nd surgery to seal that over. Had to lay flat for 10 days postop (ugh!). Didn’t think I was gonna be able to move ever again. Dr B promised me he’d have me home for Christmas and I barely made it! 36 days I spent in the Hosp. What an ordeal! But I can NOT say enough good things about Dr Berven. Wonderful man! His whole team was Phenomenal! I am sorry it took so long for my update.

[RitaR]

Thank you Linda. I will reach out to him again. I’ve got to try.

[LindaRacine]

Linda, do you think I should contact Dr Berven back? We had talked many times virtually and I did all he recommended test-wise for me. But, one day, he just never called me back anymore. I’ve read online he knows a lot about sagittal imbalance repair. I would be more than willing to travel to see him if necessary…whatever it takes. He already has all my X-rays, records, etc.

It wouldn't hurt to try. You just need to catch him at the right time. I never checked, but I'm sure he gets hundreds of emails every week, so when he's busy he has to pick and choose the ones that are important to him. When you write to him, be sure he understands that you're willing to travel to see him if he thinks he can help you. One thing that's really important about him is that he's very conservative. If he's not reasonably sure he can help you out, he won't even try.

--Linda

[RitaR]

Linda, do you think I should contact Dr Berven back? We had talked many times virtually and I did all he recommended test-wise for me. But, one day, he just never called me back anymore. I’ve read online he knows a lot about sagittal imbalance repair. I would be more than willing to travel to see him if necessary…whatever it takes. He already has all my X-rays, records, etc.

[LindaRacine]

I had communicated with Dr Berven and then he stopped calling one day. I’ve never heard from him since. He ordered many tests and I obtained all he asked for.

Rita...

I worked for Dr. Berven for many years. He's a great communicator when he has time. When he's crazy busy, he pretty much ignores everyone. You might want to keep trying, but the problem might not be revealed in imaging.

If I were you, I'd probably try to find a good pain specialist. Unfortunately, a lot of people have pain that is never figured out. You should also check out Dr. David Hanscom's newsletter http://www.backincontrol.com/. He was a spine surgeon who had back pain himself. He has a lot of insight, and good suggestions for dealing with chronic pain.

--Linda

[jackieg412]

Hi Rita, you can be in a very hard place right now. But not all Doctors can easily figure out how to help. Keep all of your tests,reports and office notes.
Before I saw my surgeon ( years ago), I was requested to send everything into him before he would see me. I did that and got a call in a few days to schedule an appointment.
He did no revision at that time, but sent me to a pain specialist. I had a pain pump placed.
After I broke my neck in an auto accident, that required multiple attempts to fix, that is when he did the revision. That isn't anything anyone would wish.
My team of doctors is from Rush University in Chicago. The entire neurosurgery team is excellent in their care. His name is Dr. Ricardo Fontes..
A fantastic doctor and a wonderful person. I have been so well treated.
I did see him on Monday and he is very helpful.

[RitaR]

I had communicated with Dr Berven and then he stopped calling one day. I’ve never heard from him since. He ordered many tests and I obtained all he asked for.

[RitaR]

From Rita R

You have no idea how miserable I am. I have sooooo terrible pain. Nerve pain in both legs. Numb right foot. Falling plenty of times. Wakes me up at night. Plenty of nights I get no sleep because of pain and muscle spasms. Just got dumped by dr at John’s Hopkins. He has nothing to offer me but good luck. I just do not know what to do. I’m getting worse and the pain is worsening, which I already can’t imagine.

[LindaRacine]

Well, Linda, who did your revision surgery in 2011? Just got dumped by another dr today. I’m in terrible pain and no one wants to do anything to help me. I was talking with Dr in SannFrancisco but he stopped communication. I consulted dr in Baltimore. He dumped me today. I’m in terrible pain. Can’t do anything without horrible pain. I lay down 4-5 times a day. I appreciate any assistance.

Hi Rita....

There's only so much any surgeon can do remotely, so I think you should try to find someone local. If that's not possible, start thinking about who you can travel to see. The fact that multiple surgeons have "dumped" you might be because you're not local to them, or that you're not communicating effectively. The fact that Dr. Lenke did your last surgery may be intimidating for surgeons. If they think that he can't fix you, they may feel they don't stand a chance to help you out. My advice would be to sit down and write a summary of your history and your current issues. Try not to catastrophize what you're going through. I know from my own history, that symptoms can change quickly. You don't need to talk about pain you've had in the past, as it's probably irrelevant.

My 2011 surgeon was Sigurd Berven at UCSF.

--Linda

[RitaR]

From Rita T

Well, Linda, who did your revision surgery in 2011? Just got dumped by another dr today. I’m in terrible pain and no one wants to do anything to help me. I was talking with Dr in SannFrancisco but he stopped communication. I consulted dr in Baltimore. He dumped me today. I’m in terrible pain. Can’t do anything without horrible pain. I lay down 4-5 times a day. I appreciate any assistance.

[RitaR]

Surgery

Hi Rita...

You posted this message to someone else's thread, so I moved your post to a new thread.

Assuming you mean sagittal imbalance. :-)

It's a relatively common condition amongst the group. If you're interested, do a search on flatback (which is one type of sagittal imbalance). I had surgery for it in 2011. I ended up with some medical complications, but it solved my back and leg pain.

--Linda

Who did your surgery Linda? I just spent 2 months seeing dr in Baltimore and he dumped me today. I’ve got to have something done. My pain is horrible! I can’t do anything. Wakes me up at night. Some nights I never sleep. I need help.

[LindaRacine]

Thank you Linda. Yes, Sagittal imbalance. Silly word correct. I’m seeing a Dr at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore. He said my back is so bad only thing he would even recommend is total hardware removal and imbalance fixing. I’m having soooo horrible pain and nerve problems, pain in legs. Have fallen numerous times due to imbalance. Cant sleep at night. Laying down 5-6 times a day just to make it thru the day.

Hi Rita...

Implant removal and osteotomies to restore balance is essentially the only appropriate treatment. Dr. Bridwell wrote an article a long time ago, that describes the condition and treatment. You might find it helpful. https://www.spineuniverse.com/condit...ttal-imbalance

--Linda

[titaniumed]

I’m seeing a Dr at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore. He said my back is so bad only thing he would even recommend is total hardware removal and imbalance fixing. I’m having soooo horrible pain and nerve problems, pain in legs. Have fallen numerous times due to imbalance. Cant sleep at night. Laying down 5-6 times a day just to make it thru the day.

Wow Rita, you have really been struggling....

Have they found any broken hardware? Are you leaning forward?

Are you flying out to Johns Hopkins for diagnostics and tests?

Ed

[RitaR]

Thank you Linda. Yes, Sagittal imbalance. Silly word correct. I’m seeing a Dr at John’s Hopkins in Baltimore. He said my back is so bad only thing he would even recommend is total hardware removal and imbalance fixing. I’m having soooo horrible pain and nerve problems, pain in legs. Have fallen numerous times due to imbalance. Cant sleep at night. Laying down 5-6 times a day just to make it thru the day.

[LindaRacine]

I also am faced with severe Sagittarius imbalance. I’ve also got at least couple herniated discs, severe nerve problems. Pain,is beyond belief! Laying down a lot. Wonder, has anyone had this kind of revision surgery? We’re talking about removing all my hardware and starting anew. I have got to do something or I’m gonna be in bed permanently!

Hi Rita...

You posted this message to someone else's thread, so I moved your post to a new thread.

Assuming you mean sagittal imbalance. :-)

It's a relatively common condition amongst the group. If you're interested, do a search on flatback (which is one type of sagittal imbalance). I had surgery for it in 2011. I ended up with some medical complications, but it solved my back and leg pain.

--Linda