Guest guest Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Hi Kathy, I may have missed this, but why are they recommending that you have a fusion done? Just curious if other less invasive approaches might apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 It's part of a surgery to release tension on the tether. It's called a vertebral column subtraction ostemony (sp) and although fairly new to the general public, the research shows that it was done as early as the 90's to relieve the pressure on the tether. I've had five untetherings and two pseudomeningocele repairs. Because of the surgeries I've already had, I'm no longer a decent candidate for an untethering (been told by two nsgs that they would not recommend an untethering because of the previous surgeries). Because it shortens the spine, the theory is that the tension is relieved on the spinal cord which in turn hopefully relieves some symptoms. Chip, a long-standing member of our list, had it done with great results. Kathy Spinal Fusion Hi Kathy, I may have missed this, but why are they recommending that you have a fusion done? Just curious if other less invasive approaches might apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Gotcha. Just a personal observation, but I think there is a higher chance for the fusion to take in the lumbar compared to your toes due to the differences in function and workload. Also, the possibility of a fusion failing is more attributed to rejection. I think it makes a difference if they use your own bone fragments to fuse with instead of donated bone mass. Since they are removing bone in your procedure they should be able to use some of that same material to fuse. The last thing is to follow post op recovery directions to a " T " . I had a brace that I wore during that period. I think you can request to get one done if they don't offer it to you. The other thing is that I did not do any bending or lifting during that period. I used one of those grabbers if I needed to pick something up and had others move heavy stuff for me. I think if you follow the above you should have a greater chance of success. Sent via BlackBerry by AT & T Re: Spinal Fusion It's part of a surgery to release tension on the tether. It's called a vertebral column subtraction ostemony (sp) and although fairly new to the general public, the research shows that it was done as early as the 90's to relieve the pressure on the tether. I've had five untetherings and two pseudomeningocele repairs. Because of the surgeries I've already had, I'm no longer a decent candidate for an untethering (been told by two nsgs that they would not recommend an untethering because of the previous surgeries). Because it shortens the spine, the theory is that the tension is relieved on the spinal cord which in turn hopefully relieves some symptoms. Chip, a long-standing member of our list, had it done with great results. Kathy Spinal Fusion Hi Kathy, I may have missed this, but why are they recommending that you have a fusion done? Just curious if other less invasive approaches might apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 9, 2011 Report Share Posted April 9, 2011 Thanks - Great advice. I've learned my lesson of not following " at home " directions from untetherings. Good idea about using your own bone; I will definitely discuss this with the nsg. Thank you again - Kathy Spinal Fusion Hi Kathy, I may have missed this, but why are they recommending that you have a fusion done? Just curious if other less invasive approaches might apply. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Hi Kathy, My now 5 year old had a spinal fusion as well because she has had so many untetherings and was not improving. It has been 2 tears since she had it and although she has needed one more untethering I must say she has been much much better since the fusion! It has become harder for her to tether and she does have more pain free days. I wish you all the best Corinn > It's part of a surgery to release tension on the tether. It's called a vertebral column subtraction ostemony (sp) and although fairly new to the general public, the research shows that it was done as early as the 90's to relieve the pressure on the tether. I've had five untetherings and two pseudomeningocele repairs. Because of the surgeries I've already had, I'm no longer a decent candidate for an untethering (been told by two nsgs that they would not recommend an untethering because of the previous surgeries). > > Because it shortens the spine, the theory is that the tension is relieved on the spinal cord which in turn hopefully relieves some symptoms. Chip, a long-standing member of our list, had it done with great results. > > Kathy > > Spinal Fusion > > Hi Kathy, > > I may have missed this, but why are they recommending that you have a fusion done? Just curious if other less invasive approaches might apply. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted April 11, 2011 Report Share Posted April 11, 2011 Thanks Corinn! I hope she continues to have more and more pain free days. I'm leaning towards having this surgery - it's pretty much the only hope I've been given. Thank you again, Kathy Spinal Fusion > > Hi Kathy, > > I may have missed this, but why are they recommending that you have a fusion done? Just curious if other less invasive approaches might apply. > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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