last visit with surgeon prior to surgery
As of today (Tuesday) I am two weeks from my surgery date and had my last meetings with the nurse and surgeon. We discussed medications and the surgical process. At the advice of a couple of members here, I will start my own thread and put what information I have on there. Thanks so much for all of the information you all have provided thus far and I hope you are all doing well!
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Dr. Geck in Austin
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Originally posted by scoliosisstory View PostYes, it is painful every day...some days better than others as I'm sure you know. I'll have to search for Suzie and ask how she's doing now.
I expressed how important it is to me to retain as much hip/pelvic movement as possible. For one reason, I practice yoga and plan to attend Yoga Teacher Training in the near future. My wish and goal is to help others with back pain and scoliosis since I have been through it myself.
(ASD) Adjacent Segment Disease and (PJK) Proximal Junctional Kyphosis are topics we need to be aware of especially having long fusions with scoliosis surgery.
https://www.spineuniverse.com/condit...ease-back-pain
https://www.srs.org/patients-and-fam...ummary-06-2020
It's hard looking at studies since we are all so different. You will see different age groups, vast age groups, Age 18 to Age 80, shorter fusion masses, (2 levels) non-scoliosis studies with all sorts of different values and risk from 5-50%. You can have a complication and they won't know why it happens. The thing is, we have to be prepared should something happen that's beyond the surgeon's control. If you should need a revision surgery down the road, it won't be a surprise....There are a good amount of revision patients here on this forum. Spine is extremely complicated.
Suzie hasn't posted in many years....I went to a (Dr Picetti) scoliosis meeting in Sacramento with her and Linda about 12 years ago, and she was doing pretty good. You couldn't tell she was fused and you couldn't tell I was fused....She was fused T10-L4
https://www.scoliosis.org/forum/member.php?2982-Suzy
https://www.scoliosis.org/forum/sear...archid=2348598
If you send her a PM, tell her we miss her here.....It's been years now...
If she changed her e-mail, you could be out of luck.
Ed
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Originally posted by titaniumed View PostThat looks painful....We have a lumbar curve member here named Suzie in Sacramento. She came out good also. About the same length fusion mass. Looks like he wants to skip the L5-S1 which is the ALIF from the front. Ed
I expressed how important it is to me to retain as much hip/pelvic movement as possible. For one reason, I practice yoga and plan to attend Yoga Teacher Training in the near future. My wish and goal is to help others with back pain and scoliosis since I have been through it myself.
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Some reading material and videos...
In figure 2 and figure 3, you see the bone spurs that mushroom out from the vertebral body that can cause pain. With our large curves and rotated spines, exiting spinal roots that come off each side get pinched, and also the main spinal cord. This is stenosis (narrowing) which just about all of us have and can cause some terrible neuropathic pains. Radiculopathy is a word they use to describe all of the degenerative problems on a level. It's the lump sum definition.
In figure 3, you will see the facet joint. There are 3 joints on each level, and 2 of those are the facet joints. They remove our facets on each side. That takes care of a lot of pain.... all my facets were removed on all my fused levels.
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/heal...e-disc-disease
This video on Facet Joint Injections has some good diagrams that show the facets. These facet joints can get pretty raw. Some members here have had various blocks and injections.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBFP...dBrain%26Spine
After surgery, I knew all my previous pain producing areas were solved, the thing is that you trade these old pains for new surgical pain....which is masked with opioid's (Percoset, Oxy etc) and then you heal in time, and then you wean off your medications. The weaning was the hardest part of it all for me, not the surgeries. The meds work great, especially the injectables, then come the orals....It's the reduction of these medications that are tough.
Here is a good TLIF animated video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=okNJ...ticSpineCenter
Ed
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That looks painful....
We have a lumbar curve member here named Suzie in Sacramento. She came out good also. About the same length fusion mass.
Looks like he wants to skip the L5-S1 which is the ALIF from the front. I would ask how long he thinks that level will last under your fusion mass. Will I need a revision surgery down the road?
My eyes also took a dump when I was 47 and required readers....This happens. I actually have cataracts and need new lenses. I have to get this done one of these days.
EdLast edited by titaniumed; 11-03-2021, 10:15 PM.
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Dr. Geck in Austin
Thanks for the information, I'll check out the TLIF and PLIF procedures. So far, they will fuse T9-L5 and insert rods and screws, no mention of the pelvis yet.
From what I have seen, it looks like thoracic scoliosis is more common - go figure mine would be uncommon. Mine is a 59 degree lumbar curve and 36 degree thoracic curve with a rib bump on my left side.
The information you provided regarding the congenital pathologies is interesting! I've never done that much research into it, so I wasn't aware of this info. My balance is terrible! At least I think it is. If I'm standing and close my eyes, I typically sway. Also, my eyesight was always 20/20 but started to decline in the past couple of years and I now wear readers. I wonder if that has anything to do with my worsening scoliosis or bulging discs in my neck (due to pressure on nerves or whatever other cause it may be). Thanks again for all of the information in your post, and I plan to do some more reading about it.
I have attached one x-ray of my spine that shows the degree of curvature in my thoracic and lumbar spine.
Jen
scoliosis x-ray 2021.jpg
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Alright Jen.. We have a Jen from Australia who was fused about 10 years ago, posterior only, and came out great. She doesn't post much anymore and I think her username is Jen. I rarely look back at the old stuff....I can remember names, but not usernames. Post your x-ray and I will remember that. I want to see your lumbar....
If its posterior only, look at TLIF and PLIF. These are wrap around from the back, that address the front. The spacer goes in from the back. Dr Lenke is the PLIF master and doesn't do ALIF's....Probably due to associated complication rates. There are different complication rates for each procedure. This is something only scoliosis surgeons can weigh.
You should find out if he will fuse to the pelvis. This is important, especially the L5-S1 level.
No kyphosis or osteoporosis is a really good thing....consider that big bonus points.
I think the brunt of idiopathic scoliosis cases start in the thoracic. (Right thoracic) Linda, our mod would know more as she researches. Sharon also knows more than me on this. Left thoracic is indicative of congenital pathologies. We don't see those too often. On the Adams test, the rib hump will be on the left side.....
They did extensive MRI studies in Hong Kong (Cheap MRI time) (Cotrel White book) on a large amount of scoliosis cases a few years back and found inner ear cochlea and brain stem malformations in a VERY HIGH number of idiopathic's. (Left inner ear, right thoracic). I found this interesting since I have had some ear problems in the past. The party balloon popped when I found an old 1978 study, so they have known about this for quite some time....Our ears have a lot to do with balance and it's the 8th cranial nerve. There are a lot of hints in scoliosis, but nothing conclusive or decisive. It's a 10,000 pc puzzle with maybe the border done. They will cure other diseases before scoliosis. Aids, some cancers, Alzheimers etc, are getting really close....Lots of trials going on right now.
I will trade the occasional biotech every once in a while....Those are the hardway bets with big payoffs but you have to watch and wait.
If you want links, just ask and I will look. All this stuff is here on the forum and in my files. Searching can be tricky and you have the use the right combinations of search words.
Ed
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Originally posted by titaniumed View PostEd
Yes, it's true that a name is good to have...my name is Jen. So far my surgeon discussed only a posterior procedure, but I have an appointment with him soon to discuss the plan for surgery so I will know more information then. I do need to research further about the particular procedures (ALIF, XLIF, LLIF, TLIF, and PLIF).
There is no kyphosis and no current knowledge of any osteoporosis. I will know more specifics in the next couple of weeks, and look forward to getting more information.
Are thoracic curves more typical of people on this forum than lumbar?
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Originally posted by Pooka1 View PostHey. I just want to say I admire your command of the situation and your knowledge base. I think you will figure this out and be successful. Best regards, Sharon
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Originally posted by titaniumed View PostScoliosis surgery saved my life. My lumbar was wasted with severe DDD, and came out perfect. I never expected that...Incredible. My surgeon just shakes his head. I was age 49. Ed
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Originally posted by scoliosisstory View PostThe second tap got off to a rocky start, but was more successful overall.
I am a 47 yr old female. I was diagnosed with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis at age 12 and wore a brace for a year. I got annual check ups for a while, then every five years due to no changes occurring. Five years ago, I was in an auto accident that seemed to exacerbate everything. I now have bulging discs in my neck and back, a torn ligament in my back, and two torn ligaments in my wrist (for which I had surgery probably 3 years ago). My curvature has increased to 36 thoracic and 59 lumbar, my pelvis is tilted forward, and my spine is actually twisting (causing a back bump).
I have participated in the following treatments over the past five years: chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, physical therapy, and pain management. I also go to the gym 4-5 days a week to use machines and dumbbells, I can handle about 10 minutes at a time on the stationary bike, and try to get in 3-5 yoga sessions a week. I feel like I have done what I can to avoid or delay surgery, but the above cannot fix my scoliosis. It helps me to be in better shape prior to surgery and possibly delayed it for a while, but at this point it's only getting worse. The surgeon called it a "collapsing spine" and that's exactly what it feels like. I am hopeful that I will not only experience relief from pain, but have my spine and supporting muscles back where they are designed to be, and get some relief for my internal organs that are compacted and pushed forward.
How bad is your pain? Adult scoliosis surgery decisions are all about pain and degeneration. Do you have sciatica? I remember discussing my long road battling scoliosis and at the end, I was shot at age 49, the pain was insane. I had serious DDD in my lumbar. All those discs had to go. I had 4 verified lumbar herniations diagnosed in 2002, and 2 cervical herniations in 2013, after my scoliosis surgeries.
Our cases are similar.....We don't see too many lumbar curves or S curves around here. A 59 degenerative lumbar curve needs some thought....If you have x-rays, do post them. Front and side views.
Do you have any kyphosis?
Are you osteoporotic?
There is a good probability that he will talk about anterior procedures with you. ALIF and XLIF or LLIF. ALIF is open, the rest are minimally invasive. I have read quite a bit about ALIF and circumferential fusions over the years. TLIF and PLIF are also common procedures done accessing the front, from the back. When you fuse from the front and the back, it balances it out and it's a stronger fusion. We have to fuse otherwise we will break out hardware.
Pseudarthrosis and infection are our biggest worries. You can get Staph without surgery. I had it when I was 19.
A name is always nice to know.....I used to post as Rod Stewart on the Brit forum years ago and everyone called me Rod in England. It was quite entertaining....I picked Rod since Jose Cuervo was taken. There actually is a Jose with scoliosis out there! Jose, where are you? Those big sombreros (see below) probably cause neck problems but there is no proof.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trMO...parkerwest5179
If you decide to do surgery, they don't have lip balm at the hospital. They have everything else, but no lip balm.
Ed
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Hey. I just want to say I admire your command of the situation and your knowledge base.
I think you will figure this out and be successful.
Best regards,
Sharon
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Originally posted by titaniumed View PostYou will get through that 2nd tap.... How big are your curves? Are you an idiopathic? Male, Female, Age? How long have you been hanging in there? Ed
I am a 47 yr old female. I was diagnosed with idiopathic adolescent scoliosis at age 12 and wore a brace for a year. I got annual check ups for a while, then every five years due to no changes occurring. Five years ago, I was in an auto accident that seemed to exacerbate everything. I now have bulging discs in my neck and back, a torn ligament in my back, and two torn ligaments in my wrist (for which I had surgery probably 3 years ago). My curvature has increased to 36 thoracic and 59 lumbar, my pelvis is tilted forward, and my spine is actually twisting (causing a back bump).
I have participated in the following treatments over the past five years: chiropractic treatment, massage therapy, physical therapy, and pain management. I also go to the gym 4-5 days a week to use machines and dumbbells, I can handle about 10 minutes at a time on the stationary bike, and try to get in 3-5 yoga sessions a week. I feel like I have done what I can to avoid or delay surgery, but the above cannot fix my scoliosis. It helps me to be in better shape prior to surgery and possibly delayed it for a while, but at this point it's only getting worse. The surgeon called it a "collapsing spine" and that's exactly what it feels like. I am hopeful that I will not only experience relief from pain, but have my spine and supporting muscles back where they are designed to be, and get some relief for my internal organs that are compacted and pushed forward.
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Originally posted by scoliosisstory View PostWow, you've been through a lot! Thank God it was successful.
You will get through that 2nd tap.... They made me roll over twice and then wait about 20 minutes before laying in the machine. They should keep a pogo stick available for mixing purposes. (More Radiology room humor) Ha ha
Thinking about this, it's been almost 20 years since I had that test....
How big are your curves? Are you an idiopathic? Male, Female, Age? How long have you been hanging in there? I waited 33 years for my surgeries. Since I was 16 every single doctor told me I would have my day, including my Chiro's. It was also a whole different scene years ago and I also need to be fused to the pelvis, which they don't like doing on young people....I was also a very active skier and was in great shape except for my spine....I waited for technology to advance which it did over the years.
On the subject of CT, scoliosis surgeons do use "O" and "C" arms during our surgeries which is live flouroscopy so they can see things as they operate. Some doctors also use CT scans and operate through a heads up display which is also a great tool. I had flouroscopy burns on my hips with all the extensive lumbar work I had done. It was like a bad sunburn. This comes with really long surgeries....some up to 12 hours.
Ed
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Maybe you can try a different hospital to do the test. You can request a disc and bring it to your surgeon.
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