spine shortening surgery (vertebral osteotomy subtraction)

[Guest guest]

Hello all,

It's been a long time since I posted here but have checked messages from time to

time.

My last detethering surgery was 9 years ago, it was my third surgery since 1987.

Last year I started having symptoms again and this spring I emailed Dr. Proctor

in Boston about them. He referred me to Dr. Chi in Boston. I saw him

Monday 8/8/11. I expected to hear about the traditional detethering surgery

and the possibility that it could not be done this time due to higher risk of

damaging nerves, my age (57) and diabetes. However, Dr. Chi told me about a new

surgery for tethered cord, spine shortening surgery.

I have to have an MRI to make sure there is nothing else going on but it sounds

like this surgery is my only option, other than just not having surgery at all

and getting worse as time goes on.

Has anyone had this surgery? or know someone who has had it? I searched for

info and found a few abstracts about it.

Dr Chi has done this surgery on 3 people with tethered cord and has done this

surgery on dozens of patients for other problems.

Any info would be greatly appreciated.

Sue McWha