Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 Hi Lori, My daughter had a spinal fusion when she was about 11yrs old... she is also started to curve again... but with her its more of a behavioural thing where its just where she is comfortable... we haven't had to look at bracing again... Is he at risk of breaking the rod? I know of kids who have broken the rod which is what the ortho was afraid of with my daughter because of her dystonia... he said that they can remove sections of the rod but not the whole rod because of the way the bone fuses around the rod... I'm not of any help here am I... keep me informed I am interested in what happens with this... as it seems my daughter is following the same path... AnnetteLori Bradlee wrote: Hi, Has anyone had experience with spinal fusions? My son is 16(has complex I and III). He had a complete spinal fusion at the age of 9yrs. This was an anterior/posterior fusion. My son is starting to curve again. The ortho doc's can't figure out why this is happening. They put him into a full back brace again. Now they are worried about to much stress on his lower back. They said the stress will eventually cause fractures. They also said their is no other surgery they can do. Any impute would be great. Thanks, LoriPlease contact mito-owner with any problems or questions. Post your free ad now! Yahoo! Canada Personals Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 12, 2004 Report Share Posted August 12, 2004 Wow, Ive never heard of a successful fusion failing like that... are they sure the fusion itself hasnt failed? (as in the bones are no longer fused?) I had a moderate to severe single curvature measuring about 54 degrees as a teenager, and was referred for fusion at 18, however due to looong waiting lists up here (canada), I got pregnant before the surgery was scheduled... somehow or another the weight of the pregnancy and birth shifted my bones or something, and I now measure at 32 degrees and its a stable curve that hasnt progressed.... (heres hoping it holds!) However when I was on the boards for fusion surgery, I did alot of research, and I honestly dont think ive ever heard of it failing like that... I assume he still has the rods along his spine? (if he had that type of fusion... they were talking about stabalizing my spine for the period after surgery with metal rods?) I also assume that the fusion was initially successful if it stopped the curve from progressing 7 years ago... Do they seriously have absolutely no options for you to stop this from continuing?? I think you may need a second opinion, if the curve progresses theres alot more at stake than just his lower spine... (although Im sure your aware of that). They arent interested in attempting a second fusion? (as much as it would suck, it would be better than progressive curvature!) how quickly is it progressing? Im sorry! this stinks! Keely > Hi, > > Has anyone had experience with spinal fusions? My son is 16(has complex I and III). He had a complete spinal fusion at the age of 9yrs. This was an anterior/posterior fusion. My son is starting to curve again. The ortho doc's can't figure out why this is happening. They put him into a full back brace again. Now they are worried about to much stress on his lower back. They said the stress will eventually cause fractures. They also said their is no other surgery they can do. Any impute would be great. > > Thanks, > > Lori Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Hi Keely, I'm just as confused about my son curving as you are. The ortho doc said has the most flexible spine he has seen. When was 9yrs he had over a 90 degree curve that was compromising his breathing. They fused from top to bottom. It was a 15 hour operation, they had to collapse both lungs to put the rods in. 's back looked great up until 8 months ago. He started leaning forward in his wheelchair, when we would stand him up his lower back sticks way out. They are trying the back brace to push the lower back in so it won't continue to curve. is very upset about being back in the brace. He will only keep it on about 3hrs a day. I am going to take him for a second opinion. I honestly don't think he could survive a major surgery. The first was very difficult on him. It took over 8 months to get him off of oxygen. He's more frailer now then 7yrs ago. I helps talking to someone who understands, thank you. Lori Re: spinal fusion Wow, Ive never heard of a successful fusion failing like that... are they sure the fusion itself hasnt failed? (as in the bones are no longer fused?) I had a moderate to severe single curvature measuring about 54 degrees as a teenager, and was referred for fusion at 18, however due to looong waiting lists up here (canada), I got pregnant before the surgery was scheduled... somehow or another the weight of the pregnancy and birth shifted my bones or something, and I now measure at 32 degrees and its a stable curve that hasnt progressed.... (heres hoping it holds!) However when I was on the boards for fusion surgery, I did alot of research, and I honestly dont think ive ever heard of it failing like that... I assume he still has the rods along his spine? (if he had that type of fusion... they were talking about stabalizing my spine for the period after surgery with metal rods?) I also assume that the fusion was initially successful if it stopped the curve from progressing 7 years ago... Do they seriously have absolutely no options for you to stop this from continuing?? I think you may need a second opinion, if the curve progresses theres alot more at stake than just his lower spine... (although Im sure your aware of that). They arent interested in attempting a second fusion? (as much as it would suck, it would be better than progressive curvature!) how quickly is it progressing? Im sorry! this stinks!Keely> Hi,> > Has anyone had experience with spinal fusions? My son is 16(has complex I and III). He had a complete spinal fusion at the age of 9yrs. This was an anterior/posterior fusion. My son is starting to curve again. The ortho doc's can't figure out why this is happening. They put him into a full back brace again. Now they are worried about to much stress on his lower back. They said the stress will eventually cause fractures. They also said their is no other surgery they can do. Any impute would be great.> > Thanks,> > LoriPlease contact mito-owner with any problems or questions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 13, 2004 Report Share Posted August 13, 2004 Did curve from side to side initially or front to back? my curve was side to side, and the treatment they were planning on was to fuse 2-4 of my lumbar vertebrae... your sons sounds FAR more severe than mine was! That is scary that he is still curving, I really hope they figure out something that isnt too extreme to stop it! > > Hi, > > > > Has anyone had experience with spinal fusions? My son is 16 (has > complex I and III). He had a complete spinal fusion at the age of > 9yrs. This was an anterior/posterior fusion. My son is starting to > curve again. The ortho doc's can't figure out why this is happening. > They put him into a full back brace again. Now they are worried > about to much stress on his lower back. They said the stress will > eventually cause fractures. They also said their is no other surgery > they can do. Any impute would be great. > > > > Thanks, > > > > Lori > > > > Please contact mito-owner with any problems or questions. > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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