You Are Not Alone!
Pam,
I have not posted for a long time because I have felt as you do-people paint a rosy picture of surgery and life after. I am sorry I ever found the forum because it really convinced me to go through the surgery. My surgeon was Dr. Boachie, also one of "the best" and I have had nothing but problems. I was fused T3-S1 on 6-7-11 and had multiple complications including pericarditis. I continued with constant pain, pressure and a feeling of being abraded from the inside with no obvious cause- all x-rays, CT, and MRI's were normal. In Dec 2013 Dr. B. removed all my hardware, suspecting a hardware infection, except for L-2-S1 on the left because it was too imbedded in bone and I lost 5000cc blood, basically my total body volume. I was very sick and in the hospital 10 days and went home with a PICC line for antibiotics to treat the P. Acnes and MRSA that was cultured from my hardware. 9 months after the surgery the base of my incision opened and started draining. Dr. Kim, who replaced Dr. B. said I have a chronic P. Acnes infection, since not all the hardware was removed. I had a fracture at T11 3 mos. post-op and now have PJK. I lost all the height I gained and I am hunched over. And I still have constant pain. I know there are other people who have had bad outcomes too since I have corresponded with them outside the forum. They are hesitant to post, just as I have been. I know exactly how you feel. Not one day goes by that I have not regretted my decision. I do not in any way blame Dr. Boachie. He has been very caring and compassionate. This is a very high risk surgery, and sometimes even having "the best" does not ensure a favorable outcome.
Last edited by Lorz; 06-08-2015 at 01:59 PM.
Reason: added addendum
Lori in PA, 52 yrs. old
T54/L72
Surgery 6/7/11, T3-S1, all posterior, with pelvic anchors
Gained 2 inches!
Dr. Boachie, HSS, NYC
12/10/13 Hardware Removal for infection
Lost 2", gained PJK!