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? MRI...are they allowed after fusion?

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  • #16
    Spinal X Rays from the back

    I'm finding more and more that I have to really advocate for myself in regard to X rays and radiation. I actually purchased my own breast shield as many X ray places don't have one. Yes, they can shade out the breast area on the machine, but I like to be doubly safe and also wear a shield. I, too, had dozens of full spinal X rays - maybe even a hundred - done as a child in the 1970's. I recently had a debate with an X ray tech who did not want to honor my request that the X ray be done from the back. She was older, and experienced, yet she had never heard of this. Finally, after trying to bully me into doing it from the front, she went off to get the house radiologist. When I explained to him that the Scoliosis research society recommended they be done from the front, he immediately agreed. But...he had never heard of this either. I find this disturbing as this facility does many young girls with Scoliosis.
    1st surgery: Fused T1-L3 in 1987 with contoured Harrington Rods. Rods broke at top.
    2nd surgery: Re-done two weeks later; fused C7-L3. Left in chronic pain.
    3rd surgery: Hardware removal 1997, but still pain for 30 years.
    4th Surgery: Fused to the sacrum in 2016. Came out of surgery with left foot paralysis. (Drop Foot) Can't walk on my own.
    I'm blessed to have found my peace and reason to live not from a husband or kids (I have none) but from God and within myself.

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    • #17
      Smart, very smart.

      And FYI older women often have their thyroid shields ignored (or sloppily handled) by dentist Xray techs. Thyroid cancer is a lot more common than many are aware, especially over time.
      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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      • #18
        Originally posted by titaniumed View Post
        Linda

        In the conclusion of the last study, they mention that the cancer risks can be reduced from 1/2 to 3/4 if the x-rays are shot from the back.

        Why do surgeons shoot x-rays from the front? Is is because they figure if the patient is a surgical candidate that the amount of radiation doesn’t matter much compared to the high doses emitted during scoliosis surgery?


        Ed
        I was told I couldn’t have a mri because all my metal made it all turn out black.
        Rita Thompson
        Age 46
        Milwaukee Brace wearer for 3 years in childhood
        Surgery Mar 1st - 95 degree thoracic curve
        Surgery by Dr. Lenke, St. Louis, MO
        Post-surgery curve 25-30 degree

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        • #19
          I have had an emergency MRI. The images are not perfect. But you can have an MRI . Images may be comprised.
          T10-pelvis fusion 12/08
          C5,6,7 fusion 9/10
          T2--T10 fusion 2/11
          C 4-5 fusion 11/14
          Right scapulectomy 6/15
          Right pectoralis major muscle transfer to scapula
          To replace the action of Serratus Anterior muscle 3/16
          Broken neck 9/28/2018
          Emergency surgery posterior fusion C4- T3
          Repeated 11/2018 because rods pulled apart added T2 fusion
          Removal of partial right thoracic hardware 1/2020
          Removal and replacement of C4-T10 hardware with C7 and T 1
          Osteotomy

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