Re: Re: Scoli original curve & Arms over head & Low neck Fatigue

[Guest guest]

Thanks to both of you for your explanation. I'm going to write a few doctors and send my films for a second opinion.

You are all great!

Pat

Sharon – you are much more eloquent than I! Great explanation! J

From: [mailto: ] On Behalf Of Sharon GreenSent: Monday, January 07, 2008 12:39 AM Subject: Re: [ ] Re: Scoli original curve & Arms over head & Low neck Fatigue

Pat, I'm assuming those MRI views are from the side, and as it is labelled, sitting. What I think I'm seeing there is one heck of a kyphosis, or forward bend of the spine. Everyone has some natural kyphosis in the thoracic (chest) spine, but the lumbar (lower) spine normally curves backward (lordosis) to compensate. When sitting it's hard to get an idea of how flat your lumbar is, but I bet you have lost lordosis, and the unfused part of your thoracic spine is getting more kyphotic because of the way gravity pulls on your upper body.

The following link shows a diagram of a normal spine from the side. The "C" vertebrae are cervical (neck), the "T"s are thoracic, and in real life have ribs attached, and the "L"s are lumbar. Picture how that balance would be messed up without the normal curve in the lumbar. A flattening of that normal curve is where the docs got the "dumbed down" name "flatback" for a condition they clinically refer to as a "fixed sagittal imbalance".

http://www.sorm.state.tx.us/training2/backsafety/backsafety.htm

My thoracic spine has never been as kyphotic as that, but I do know how the imbalance pulls on your neck muscles, and it does hurt!

None of this should be construed as a diagnosis, of course, as I'm just a spinal fusion patient like you. But I feel you have good reason to suspect flatback, and should pursue a diagnosis from a spine specialist.

I hope this helps, and good luck!

Sharon

PS: Have a look at my "before" and "after" x-rays if you like, for an idea of how the flattened lumbar affected my ability to stand upright. (I deliberately straightened my knees for the "before" -- I was able to look more upright by keeping knees and hips bent. I also straightened my knees for the "after"!) You will find similar pictures as you browse the albums of other members.

http://health.ph./group/ /photos/browse/10b7

[ ] Scoli original curve & Arms over head & Low neck> Fatigue> > > > I'm having more and more questions as pre-surg workup approaches...> > Original curve correction-> I'm wondering if/how much scoliosis curve correction you got from the > revision surgery.> > Arms overhead (after recovery)-> I'm wondering if/how farther you are able to raise your arms straight > overhead since revision. In the last few years I've noticed I can't > reach "to the sky", but more toward a nearby mountain top...> My joints are looser than the average person, and I used to be able > to stretch them just past vertical.> > I can definitely feel my "mountain top" reach affects the area where > my rod is broken, in the T4-T5 region. I'm pretty sure this will be > corrected, but just wondering about your experiences.> > Neck/shoulders fatigue-> I have constant neck/shoulder area fatigue and pain. Do you have > experience with this... probably from trying to look forward when my > body wants me to look down?> > I'll be asking Dr. T all these questions on Jan 14, but just > wondering if I'm odd or in the un-odd ball park!> Thanks all. Jeri>

[Guest guest]

Pat, I have made a fool of myself in the past when trying to make heads or tails of an MRI. X-rays are less baffling to me. Do you have an x-ray, and does your spine curve forward a lot? I'm concerned that I may be looking at something and seeing something else. I'd hate to mislead you.

Sharon

[ ] Scoli original curve & Arms over head & Low neck> Fatigue> > > > I'm having more and more questions as pre-surg workup approaches...> > Original curve correction-> I'm wondering if/how much scoliosis curve correction you got from the > revision surgery.> > Arms overhead (after recovery)-> I'm wondering if/how farther you are able to raise your arms straight > overhead since revision. In the last few years I've noticed I can't > reach "to the sky", but more toward a nearby mountain top...> My joints are looser than the average person, and I used to be able > to stretch them just past vertical.> > I can definitely feel my "mountain top" reach affects the area where > my rod is broken, in the T4-T5 region. I'm pretty sure this will be > corrected, but just wondering about your experiences.> > Neck/shoulders fatigue-> I have constant neck/shoulder area fatigue and pain. Do you have > experience with this... probably from trying to look forward when my > body wants me to look down?> > I'll be asking Dr. T all these questions on Jan 14, but just > wondering if I'm odd or in the un-odd ball park!> Thanks all. Jeri>