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What I think is most interesting about this is that the xray technician shielded her reproductive organs. Why do they do that sometimes and not others? Every time I ask for it they say it will get in the way of seeing the curves. But as you can see from this Xray, the shield is below the pelvis! I feel like I've been exposed to a lifetime of radiation with scoliosis Xrays since age 11 with no particular regard for my organs!
Evelynage 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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Originally posted by Confusedmom View PostWhat I think is most interesting about this is that the xray technician shielded her reproductive organs. Why do they do that sometimes and not others? Every time I ask for it they say it will get in the way of seeing the curves. But as you can see from this Xray, the shield is below the pelvis! I feel like I've been exposed to a lifetime of radiation with scoliosis Xrays since age 11 with no particular regard for my organs!
Evelyn
I think you may need to find a new specialist. The recommendation for scoliosis films is that they be taken with shields, and lateral films should be taken P/A (meaning the back is toward the machinery).
--LindaNever argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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A lot of x-ray techs are unfortunately extremely sloppy and lax about shielding. I nearly always have to request/insist on proper shielding for my daughter, who started having scoliosis x-rays at age 6. You have to be very vigilant about insisting the shielding is applied properly and consistently.
I have noticed though that now, at the age of 43, my ovaries are not shielded--I am assuming because I am past my child-bearing years.
Evelyn, I'm not sure about your comment on the shielding of Dr Hey's patient. That looks like very good placement, actually. You can find a lot of info online by googling "gonad shielding." There are even articles with photos of proper shield placement.Gayle, age 50
Oct 2010 fusion T8-sacrum w/ pelvic fixation
Feb 2012 lumbar revision for broken rods @ L2-3-4
Sept 2015 major lumbar A/P revision for broken rods @ L5-S1
mom of Leah, 15 y/o, Diagnosed '08 with 26* T JIS (age 6)
2010 VBS Dr Luhmann Shriners St Louis
2017 curves stable/skeletely mature
also mom of Torrey, 12 y/o son, 16* T, stable
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Thanks, Linda. Actually, this unfortunately has been true at a variety of offices (latest was Dr. Bridwell in St. Louis). I ask for the shielding when I remember, but it seems like when I forget they just leave it off. Or at least I don't see anything blocked on the Xray. (Aren't they supposed to try to block breasts, too?)
Gayle, I think my writing was unclear. I also meant that the referenced xray looked like good shielding--what I would ideally want. As you note, perhaps they've decided that they don't need to shield me anymore since I'm 38--unlikely to have more children. But still....
Anyway, I'll be more demanding from here on out, thanks!age 48
80* thoracolumbar; 40* thoracic
Reduced to ~16* thoracolumbar; ~0* thoracic
Surgery 3/14/12 with Dr. Lenke in St. Louis, T4 to S1 with pelvic fixation
Broken rods 12/1/19; scheduled for revision fusion L1-L3-4 with Dr. Lenke 2/4/2020
Not "confused" anymore, but don't know how to change my username.
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Originally posted by Confusedmom View PostThanks, Linda. Actually, this unfortunately has been true at a variety of offices (latest was Dr. Bridwell in St. Louis). I ask for the shielding when I remember, but it seems like when I forget they just leave it off. Or at least I don't see anything blocked on the Xray. (Aren't they supposed to try to block breasts, too?)
Gayle, I think my writing was unclear. I also meant that the referenced xray looked like good shielding--what I would ideally want. As you note, perhaps they've decided that they don't need to shield me anymore since I'm 38--unlikely to have more children. But still....
Anyway, I'll be more demanding from here on out, thanks!Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Thanks
OMG !
I never thought of the girls needing to be shielded. Thanks for bringing this up!
We are going to another doc at the end of the month. This time a real consultation 2-3 hours. We are meeting with the current ID and will be deciding whether to stay with the orthopod,next week.
I had a retired phsycian friend read my narrative. He apologized for his profession and said he was embaressed. I think the doc is waiting for the residency program to start again with new residents. Because he was pushing for M. to enjoy the summer. Another Medical Social Worker agreed with this theory. He doesn't answer my phone calls- we only get answers when my husband calls. I don't know what I did wrong. Anyway. say prayers that we get this all worked out. M. is set on this Doc.
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Does keeping your undies on classify as shielding? If not, yowser, yowser, I always had frontal xrays and side without any shielding. Interesting.............
Wonder what the Aussie protocols are for these kind of xrays.Vali
44 years young! now 45
Surgery - June 1st, 2009
Dr David Hall - Adelaide Spine Clinic
St. Andrews Hospital, Adelaide, South Australia
Pre-op curve - 58 degree lumbar
Post -op - 5 degrees
T11 - S1 Posterior
L4/5 - L5/S1 Anterior Fusion
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Originally posted by Vali View PostDoes keeping your undies on classify as shielding?Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
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Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation
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Dr Hey's own comments - Guestion abt surgical guidelines by age
Hi there!
A bit late, but I just ran into this by chance.
You asked for comments.
I have one about Dr Hey's own comments on his Blog.
He said he used a special heavy duty correction technique (to do with type or placement of rods) because of this adolescent's "nasty 90 degree curve", remarking how much better it would have been to operate before her curves got this bad - "preferably below 50 degrees".
Is this true mostly (only) of adolescent curves? With adults, especially older adults, it seems that the advantage of getting there sooner "under 50 degrees") is offset by other considerations. i
I wonder if (and if so, how), Dr. Hey might have changed his recommendations if he had been speaking of an adult with the same curves and correction? To be more general (and more what I want to know), I'm sure there are standardized SRS guidelines for when surgery is indicated (factoring in degree and location of curves, pain, progression rate, diisability). These must differ by age group.
Anyone actually know what these are?Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive
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Note: if such guidelines are available (I'm sure they exist), I'm sure first time adult surgery candidates of all ages would love to have access to them.
So maybe if someone (Linda! Haloo! ) has an answer to this important question, both question and answer belong in that forum where more can benefit from seeing them.Not all diagnosed (still having tests and consults) but so far:
Ehler-Danlos (hyper-mobility) syndrome, 69 - somehow,
main curve L Cobb 60, compensating T curve ~ 30
Flat back, marked lumbar kyphosis (grade?) Spondilolisthesis - everyone gives this a different grade too. Cervical stenosis op'd 3-07, minimally invasive
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Amanda
A persuader was used with my construct. Its one on the many different tools that Synthes manufactures. On their site, there is no end to what they have thought of... Amazing. They have tooling for every possible scenerio. I have their "Pangea system"
Scroll down to page 15
http://products.synthes.com/prod_sup...GUSSJ4437A.pdf
Adults and kids with "nasty 90s" need persuasion sometimes...
This little girls curve was up high and makes things difficult due to the ribs. She really needed surgery.... Its such a shock to just find out your kid has a severe scoli, and so young.
I recommend deep breathing exercises for the parents.
Ed49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
Pre surgery curves T70,L70
ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada
Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=
My x-rays
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258
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pedicle depth-synthes spinal fixation
Ed
Great attachment! Thanks
Do you know how the surgeon gauges the depth/length of the pedicle screw; is xray imaging used during surgery?
I've read articles where the screw has been too long and caused irritation requiring removal later and others where the screw insertion caused dural tears
In cases where the spine has been rotated for some time, do you or others know, if some vertebrae are deformed and make placement of the pedicle screw difficult or impossible?
Thanks[FONT="Comic Sans MS"]
Spinal fusion 1961
HR 1981 T3-L4
Thoracic curve 75Cobb; post 40
Present: Thoracic 60Cobb Lumber? [FONT]
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Pedicle screw placement inspection and procedures
Hi Elizabeth
Good to see you posting again.
Placement of pedicle screws is challenging. On one of my levels, I was wedged, and in the hospital report, it said that a clear trajectory was not obtainable. One screw was omitted. A C arm was used.
http://www.medical.siemens.com/sieme..._eng_DRUCK.pdf
Ultrasound is used. Steinman pin or K wire used for depth check.
http://www.medschool.lsuhsc.edu/neur...r/tlscrew.html
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9755762
http://www.ijoonline.com/article.asp...8;aulast=Rajan
Hope this helps
Ed49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
Pre surgery curves T70,L70
ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada
Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=
My x-rays
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258
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49 yr old male, now 63, the new 64...
Pre surgery curves T70,L70
ALIF/PSA T2-Pelvis 01/29/08, 01/31/08 7" pelvic anchors BMP
Dr Brett Menmuir St Marys Hospital Reno,Nevada
Bending and twisting pics after full fusion
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...on.&highlight=
My x-rays
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...2&d=1228779214
http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/attac...3&d=1228779258
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