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Problems After Spinal Surgery - Crankshaft

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  • #61
    hey Del
    so sorry to hear of all your poor daughter has been through! i hope the surgery finally takes place and she gets the relief she so deserves!

    i am pretty sure that an infection is an infection is an infection, and surgery is cancelled if there is one present anywhere in the body...it can cause a temperature, the immune system is then already fighting off something, and going into surgery in that condition is simply not allowed...that is what i was told some years ago, when foot surgery was cancelled...postponed, actually....for me...and it was rescheduled some weeks later...

    best of luck with getting this taken care of, and hopefully finished, once and for all!
    jess

    Comment


    • #62
      Surgery all over

      Hi everyone,
      Just thought I'd quickly touch base to say that Elysia's surgery is now over! Performed 21st December. Took down part of the previous fusion from T11 to L1 - took out the hooks from these sites, took out the previous rods, inserted screws and longer rods now down to L3. Bits of ribs were removed for the fusion and to derotate her as much as he could.

      If anyone remembers the debate from the first time around, she once again had an Epidural, this time it did not work, or if it was of minimal help! She also had the morphine drip but even it wasn't taking the edge off the pain.

      We spent Xmas in hospital, obviiusly... and are still here trying to get her pain under control with oral meds now! Today, Monday 27th, not so bad, slowly getting there! I really don't think the nimwits gave her enough meds yesterday! But we had nurse wonderful again on duty last night and she has been a blessing! Had a picnic lunch in her hosptial room for Christmas Lunch with the relo's and family.... luckily for us being a private hospital, they had shut down an entire wing, only 12 patients in the whole place. Lucky as on Xmas Day Evening.... we had a light in her room that wouldn't turn off so here was the nurse and myself with everything out in the hallways as we moved everything (and there was a lot of crap, xmas trees, balloons, flowers..etc etc) into another room!!!! I was so grateful that the place was deserted! Never wanted her first surgery at this time of year for fear of no staff around to look after her, but has been wonderful, most nurses sweet, except for the odd dragon or two thrown in, like the one who took her PCA off her, said she was too spaced out!! I could have punched her, gave it right back to her the minute she walked out!

      Last yucky thing to do now is to get the dressing off.... she is not looking forward to that as it hurt like hell last time! Can't wait to get her home and into one of our recliner chairs as the hospital chairs are meant to DRIVE YOU OUT OF THE PLACE... so uncomfortable, that she's taken to sitting on my fold out day bed!!!!!

      We had the usual reaction to the surgery same as last time, an enourmous swelling in the catheter site, I mean enourmous, Elysia's quote: "I think I've grown balls" - she sooo still had her sense of humour through all of this. Our Dr came and saw her yesterday and said wasn't a latex reaction, that in fact prob the entire half of her was swollen, just that part of your body is more noticeable!!!

      So Folks and Folketes, lets just hope that this has solved all her problems, that she'll be a healthy and happy girl from here on!!!!
      Hopefully we'll get this pain under control and head home in a day or two.... better be before my older daughter and husband kill each other, I hear it's pretty rough at home!!! LOL - ahhhh to be appreciated!!!

      Hugs
      Del
      xx
      Elysia 16 in Feb 2010
      Sydney - Australia
      Feb 2008 Fused T5-L1 and 5 ribs removed.
      Dec 2009 - Crankshafting
      Dec 10 - Revision surgery...3 vertebrae taken down, hooks removed, at T11-L1 - screws inserted, fusion extended down to
      L3 using Pedicle screws, some rib removed to try to derotate. Praying for things to settle.

      Comment


      • #63
        how wonderful the surgery is over...i hope the pain subsides quickly and she can heal and recover without too much suffering, poor girl!
        but she sounds tough...and funny...which is great...

        wishing you and your daughter a happy, healthy and pain free New Year!

        jess

        Comment


        • #64
          Del,

          Great that you have come through again! Good work.

          My one daughter had a very hard time with the bandage removal also but the second daughter did not. I think the bandage experts have made great strides in adhesives between our daughters' surgeries in 2008 and my other daughter's surgery in 2009. (smiley face)

          Best regards,
          Sharon
          Last edited by Pooka1; 12-27-2010, 07:23 AM.
          Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

          No island of sanity.

          Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
          Answer: Medicine


          "We are all African."

          Comment


          • #65
            Thanks for the update Del -- I certainly hope that this is IT for your daughter, who, along with her mother, is a real trooper. Best wishes for a swift recovery!!
            Chris
            A/P fusion on June 19, 2007 at age 52; T10-L5
            Pre-op thoracolumbar curve: 70 degrees
            Post-op curve: 12 degrees
            Dr. Boachie-adjei, HSS, New York

            Comment


            • #66
              Lets hope things settle!

              Hi one and all,

              Well it's 4 weeks from surgery today! Whilst Elysia is moving about nicely now, the pain in her shoulder area is constant! Her lower back only gives trouble after using it too much. Think we might venture into some physio even though surgeon hasn't suggested that. We see him Thursday so shall ask.

              Very disappointed with her x-rays.... obviously he was unable to correct the top Thoracic region... but his gives her pain constantly, looks like something she will have to live with for the rest of her life! The T4 T3 look awful!!!! I've attached the x-ray if anyone would like to look and make comment.

              It's a before and after shot from the first surgery. I can't speculate on anything anymore, it's just one of those things that has happened to my child and I feel for her having to deal with this now forever. Shoulder pain will not settle..... it was like this before surgery! Lumbar probably will settle over time! Hard to keep a positive outlook on things when the first time around was such a breeze in comparison. She starts back at school in 2 weeks, I have no idea how she's going to cope sitting there all day!

              Cheers
              Del
              Attached Files
              Elysia 16 in Feb 2010
              Sydney - Australia
              Feb 2008 Fused T5-L1 and 5 ribs removed.
              Dec 2009 - Crankshafting
              Dec 10 - Revision surgery...3 vertebrae taken down, hooks removed, at T11-L1 - screws inserted, fusion extended down to
              L3 using Pedicle screws, some rib removed to try to derotate. Praying for things to settle.

              Comment


              • #67
                Hi Del

                I'm so sorry to hear about Elysia continuing pain, it is so unfair. It doesn't appear that he went any higher, is that right? I wonder if he should have gone up a few more vertebrae to get more correction in T area? But that would probably require him to break the fusion, maybe that's why there's no more correction on top. It could still be post op pain too, hopefully the pain will subside with time.

                Sending Elysia my best!

                Comment


                • #68
                  I was really hoping that Elysia's surgery would alleviate her pain and I'm very sorry to hear that it hasn't done so yet. Maybe over time her shoulder pain will diminish... Maybe some PT to help with muscle strength and calm some of her nerves in that area. I've had ultrasound and Alexander and I have had laser treatments to help with back pain as well as massage.

                  I'm sending positive thoughts and energy that this will all improve and that Elysia will get a break from pain and go on to be a relatively carefree and happy teenager with a great deal of strength and determination. She sounds like a wonderful and amazing girl!

                  All the best for a complete recovery!
                  Laurie

                  Mother of Alexander & Zachary:
                  Alex is 16 years old and in the 11th grade. He has congenital scoliosis due to a hemivertebrae at T10. Wore a TLSO brace for 3 1/2 years. Pre-op curves were T45 & L65; curves post-op are approx. T31 & L34. Had a posterior spinal fusion from T8 to L3 on 7/12/07 at age 12. Doing great now in so many ways, but still working on improving posture.
                  Zach is 13 years old and very energetic.

                  Comment


                  • #69
                    Hmmm... I posted a response, successfully I think yesterday and now it is gone.

                    I said that you might want to give the shoulder pain more time as my daughter's did not subside for a while after surgery. Also, the nerves serving the shoulder blade area I think come out of the spine much higher than the top of her fusion. So either it isn't nerve pain (which is what I'm guessing based on my daughter's case) or there is something higher up.

                    Don't lose hope on this pain thing.

                    Also, since someone said there are no revision specialists there, maybe you might consider going elsewhere for a consult.

                    Good luck, Del. Scoliosis is a crime.
                    Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                    No island of sanity.

                    Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                    Answer: Medicine


                    "We are all African."

                    Comment


                    • #70
                      Thanks for the well wishes.... any prayers... keep those coming!

                      Elysia still has the pain going down her right arm and now pins and needles in her hand? Any thoughts on what that can be? Do I need to start getting real nervous or relax and let time and healing work it's magic?

                      Ahhhh - stop the planet and let me off at the next stop please!!!
                      Elysia 16 in Feb 2010
                      Sydney - Australia
                      Feb 2008 Fused T5-L1 and 5 ribs removed.
                      Dec 2009 - Crankshafting
                      Dec 10 - Revision surgery...3 vertebrae taken down, hooks removed, at T11-L1 - screws inserted, fusion extended down to
                      L3 using Pedicle screws, some rib removed to try to derotate. Praying for things to settle.

                      Comment


                      • #71
                        Del, the arm think sounds like it might be a nerve issue high up, somewhere near the top of the back or bottom of the neck. Maybe there is some imbalance that is putting pressure on that nerve? I have no idea what I'm talking about. You should tell the surgeon about these issues. They sounds very annoying. Elysia needs to catch a break here.

                        Here's what wiki has...

                        Brachial plexus (C5-T1)
                        Further information: Brachial plexus

                        The last four cervical spinal nerves, C5 through C8, and the first thoracic spinal nerve, T1,combine to form the brachial plexus, or plexus brachialis, a tangled array of nerves, splitting, combining and recombining, to form the nerves that subserve the arm and upper back. Although the brachial plexus may appear tangled, it is highly organized and predictable, with little variation between people. See brachial plexus injuries.
                        Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

                        No island of sanity.

                        Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
                        Answer: Medicine


                        "We are all African."

                        Comment


                        • #72
                          Hi Aussie mum, wow you and Elysia have been through a horrid time of it, so sorry. I do not know much about medical jargon but I do think that Sharon may be right., I have had pins and needles down my right arm before and it has come from the cervical spine.
                          I would definately ask your surgeon or your GP that is for sure. After my operation I was left with a thoracic hump on my right side which was where it was anyway. It is not any where near as bad but have had it all my life and have not had any problems. Of course I am having problems now but you are right there are no revision doctors here in Australia.
                          The doctor in Queensland that Jennifer talks about is excellent though from what I have heard. Have spoken to them and not a lot they can do for me, but definately worth the call and they were just lovely.

                          I really, really hope things settle for you all.

                          All the best
                          Lorraine.
                          Operated on in 1966, harrington rods inserted from T4 to L3, here in Australia. Fusion of the said vertebrae as well. Problems for the last 14 years with pain.
                          Something I feel deeply,"Life is like money,you can spend it anyway you wish, but can only spend it once.

                          Comment


                          • #73
                            hey Del
                            i once had a surgeon in NYC tell me that "numbness and tingling always indicate nerve involvement"..
                            so i agree with Sharon...to talk to her doc about this...

                            i hope she gets some relief...you both deserve a break! so much to deal with!
                            i hope 2011 is Elysia's year to resolve all problems with this!

                            jess

                            Comment


                            • #74
                              Any Updates?

                              Hi Aussie mom
                              Do you have any updates on your daughter?
                              I have been terribly worried about crankshaft and your posts have been such a wealth of information for me.

                              (they want to do surgery on my 10 year old daughter I am very concerned about crankshafting)

                              Thank you for any updates and your daughter is in all of our thoughts.

                              Comment


                              • #75
                                Hi there,
                                Lucky I have auto updates turned on so I get any requests to comments on my posts through my email.
                                Life is hectic so not on the forums very much any more, but always feel free to contact me through email or online here.
                                Elysia has come through her second surgery very well, success in straightening out her lumbar region, upper Thoracic looks awful though, am hoping it doesn't present any problems in the future for her! Surgeon doesn't talk much but I know the crankshaft has caused her problems in her T5 and upwards that the surgeon thought too risky to try to fix. My words not his, but my gut feeling tells me this.
                                Hmmmm - 10 year old full fusion? Well, my wonderful Scoliosis friends on here Marie and Cara told me about a DR here in Australia who is doing a new technique called Vertebrae body stapling and I put a cyber friend here in Australia onto him, her daughter was also 10 and looking at full fusion before this, she is going fantastic now and will only have full fusion once she's finished growing. Not many Dr's in Australia do this but in the States I presume there would be a lot more.
                                Full fusion on a 10 year old doesn't sound right to me, unless there is some other complications that I'm not aware of from your post. 2nd and 3rd opinins needed there I would say.
                                Try looking into the VBS - There is quite a lot about it on the net so read up and get some information and go with that in hand to your surgeon. I know the child would have to qualify - meaning certain things like Risser 0 and a few others that I'm not sure about.

                                All the best and hello to old friends!
                                Alt 3
                                Del
                                xxxx
                                Elysia 16 in Feb 2010
                                Sydney - Australia
                                Feb 2008 Fused T5-L1 and 5 ribs removed.
                                Dec 2009 - Crankshafting
                                Dec 10 - Revision surgery...3 vertebrae taken down, hooks removed, at T11-L1 - screws inserted, fusion extended down to
                                L3 using Pedicle screws, some rib removed to try to derotate. Praying for things to settle.

                                Comment

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