This is a question for all of those who have already been through a thoracoplasty or have been a canidate for the surgery for correction to a rib hump (which in my case is caused by crankshafting). Please help ...
Just for a bit of background:
In 1999, I had posterior total spine fusion (ranging from the bottom of my neck all the way down) to correct for a 3-curve scoliosis (Lower, Middle, Upper Back ~ *40,*90,*30). Now, according to every doctor I have seen has indicated, my spinal surgery is considered a major success with complete fusion - and my main residual curve ending at 45 degrees.
Yet ... within a few months my upper back started to rotate. I did everything the doctors told me to a tee: the usual - do not carry anything above 10 pounds for the following year, no contact activity for two years, etc. After 5 years post-op, my rotation has progressively worsen. Now a full 9 years post-op, my rotation seemingly has stopped worsening. BUT the rib-hump is very noticeable at around 5 cms - even through sweaters - which is the usual cure-all cosmetic fix for this deformity.
Okay ... so here come the questions: If you have had thoracoplasty, as a whole do you feel it was worth it? Did it completely flatten out the rib hump, reduce it or not correct it at all? Are there any limitations in movement associated with the surgery? Do you ever experience difficulty breathing? Has your lung capacity diminished over the years or is it not noticable? Are there any restrictions on physical activity? And lastly, if you could go back in time, would you do it all again?
Thanks for all the help! Cheers!
Just for a bit of background:
In 1999, I had posterior total spine fusion (ranging from the bottom of my neck all the way down) to correct for a 3-curve scoliosis (Lower, Middle, Upper Back ~ *40,*90,*30). Now, according to every doctor I have seen has indicated, my spinal surgery is considered a major success with complete fusion - and my main residual curve ending at 45 degrees.
Yet ... within a few months my upper back started to rotate. I did everything the doctors told me to a tee: the usual - do not carry anything above 10 pounds for the following year, no contact activity for two years, etc. After 5 years post-op, my rotation has progressively worsen. Now a full 9 years post-op, my rotation seemingly has stopped worsening. BUT the rib-hump is very noticeable at around 5 cms - even through sweaters - which is the usual cure-all cosmetic fix for this deformity.
Okay ... so here come the questions: If you have had thoracoplasty, as a whole do you feel it was worth it? Did it completely flatten out the rib hump, reduce it or not correct it at all? Are there any limitations in movement associated with the surgery? Do you ever experience difficulty breathing? Has your lung capacity diminished over the years or is it not noticable? Are there any restrictions on physical activity? And lastly, if you could go back in time, would you do it all again?
Thanks for all the help! Cheers!
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