Whiplash Neck Injury - 13 years post-surgery

[SaraUK]

Hi,
Can I just say how wonderful it is to have discovered this forum. It is the first time in 19 years that I have sought out other people who have scoliosis, and it is actually a great relief (although very emotional!!) to be able to share and learn of others' experiences.

I was diagnosed with Scoliosis (Double Major) at the age of 9 (here in the UK) - and wore a Boston Brace until I was 12. Unfortunately, the curves continued to worsen despite the brace, and I had an Anterior Fusion of the Lumbar curve using Zielke procedure (at St James' University Hospital, Leeds). I think the idea was that the Thoracic curve would also reduce as a result of the fusion, but I had a particularly rapid growth spurt following the initial surgery and the opposite happened, so at age 14 I had a Harrington rod inserted and a thoracoplasty at the same time.

I am now 28, and although have experienced regular muscular pain in my lower back, I have learnt to adapt and manage it - I found remedial massage therapy and Pilates particularly helpful, and continued to lead a normal (whatever that is?!) and active life.

About 18 months ago, I was on my way home from work in the car and was stationary at a roundabout (not sure if you call them 'roundabouts' in the States!?), when another car drove into the back of mine at about 30-40 mph (I think that's about 50-60kph). I was taken to hospital and my neck x-rayed, and diagnosed with 'whiplash', and advised that this would probably resolve in a couple of months. However, a year and a half on, I am now in the worst discomfort and pain (muscular - I think) I have had since my surgery. It starts at the top of my rod, radiates out across my left rib cage, shoulder and arm, up my neck up to the base of my head and even over my head and behind my left eye (almost like a migrane).

I am waiting to see a specialist about this, but wondered if anyone else had any experience of sustaining a back or neck injury post-surgery?

Kind Regards,
Sara (Wales, UK)

[rainbow2010]

I was hit broadside and spun around 180 degrees. They said I had sprained my back. I had a very hard time because there were no doctors in the area with scoliosis training at the time. I now see a doctor that deals with adult scoliosis patients. I know your medical system works different than our in the US, but try to see a doctor that deals with scoliosis because with your fusion and rod, your back doesn't bend the same as others. The accident could have moved your rod a tiny bit and be causing your problems. It tokk a good two years before i was back to normal after my accident. I went through a bunch of physical therapy, but it just took a lot of time. Until you can see a scoliosis specialist, try a heating pad to relieve some of your pain.

[SaraUK]

Thanks for that, Rainbow, It's very reassuring to hear that you did eventually make a full recovery.
I had been wondering whether the reduced flexibility in the majority of my spine, led to the full force of the collision being absorbed by the short proportion which is flexible, and so the 'damage'/injury will have been amplified in this area....
The specialist I'm waiting to see is a Scoliosis specialist surgeon, however it is a good point you make about seeing someone who specialises in adult scoliosis - I will make enquiries to find out if he does deal with adults and revision surgery.
Also, thanks for the tip about a heat pack - I've noticed a lot of people mentioning that they use them on the forum and I had never thought of trying them.
Best Wishes,
Sara

[Cena75]

Sara, I was in a high speed rear end car accident four years after my initial surgery and two years after a revision when I was 17 years old. I had severe whiplash and soft tissue damage. I went to see my paediatric specialist, as well as an adult scoliosis specialist, who both did x-rays and scans. Nothing was structurally wrong with my rods (2 CD rods and fusion). However, the specialist said that because our backs are fused and roded, they are so solid, so the brunt of the force is absorbed where there is no fusion or rods - related it to a tree being blown in the wind and the roots and branches taking the force. Hopefully there is nothing structurally wrong - just thought this was a good way to think about it. I can relate how scary it is though to think that something has happened. The soft tissue pain is really tough, as well as the headaches. Best wishes that it gets better soon!