Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 , The thing is there is no easy way to get to LaGrone. He is 600 miles away. And the only nonstop flights are puddle jumpers. Hanson has co- authored papers with Bridwell and Lenke. He did general surgery and ortho residency at Baylor College of Med and a spine fellowship at Washington University with Bridwell. Kathy > > Dear Cristl and Kathy, > > This is just me, but what you said and the questions you still have , I think this is why it's wise to get a second opinion. I know I went from doc to doc in the 80's and 90's getting various ideas of what was going on with me, and nobody I saw was a revision specialist, didn't even know what revision was at that point or what Flatback was. All I knew was that I was in a lot of pain, that my walking was limited. I was told my fusions looked fine, oh well, your rod is completely unhooked, but look at your curve, you'll always have pain, so learn to live with it, and here is some pills. So here is my only advice, follow your gut, besides doing your homework. If you feel at all uncomfortable with either the doc or the plan, if it's not making sence to you, get a second or third opinion. Then at least you have you have options to weigh. This again is just me, but I feel I lost years of being a functional human being, because I wasn't properly diagnosised. I was symptomatic in 1984, and progressively got worse till I was diagnosised in 2000, till I got to a doc who recognised Flatback. Saying this, I'm not a doc, and you may be getting totally sound advice, but knowing now what I do, I would now travel if possible to get a consultation with top revision specialist, and since you are both in Texas a trip to see Dr. Lagrone might just be a good idea. Having more than one pair of eyes looking at a problem can't hurt, maybe will confirm what this doc told you, and then you choose the doc you feel the most confidence in. I'm glad this is process is over for me, maybe the hardest part, choosing a doc. I just knew down to my toenails that Kumar was my guy, that he had a plan that I was comfortable with, that he had the skills to deliver a great outcome. Here's wishing you both that feeling, and that you will find a doc you have that confidence in. My only advice is don't settle for less. > > > Colorado Springs > [ ] Doc visit today > > > Well, I went to see Dr. Hanson. And honestly, I don't know what to > think. I did find out I am fused to L2 (I wasn't sure how far down > it went) and the fusion is solid. He took a sideways x-ray and I > think my saggital balance is okay. I asked and he sort of said it > was. He didn't say it wasn't. > > He said he couldn't do anything about the shoulder/top of rod pain. > He didn't want to try and take the old rod out even though it is > broken. And he wasn't concerned I can't turn my neck very well any > more. He did order a CT mylegram. I guess for the lower lumbar > spine. He said that was the only test worth anything if you have a > Harrington rod. He did say I had some arthritis in the spine. And he > wanted to see the actual MRI from two years ago. I only had the > report, and it was very difficult to get that. > > So I don't know what I am going to do. Or if I will do the test. I > got the impression he thought I was okay. He really didn't recommend > anything other than the test. > > Kathy > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Kathy, Here is the information for the doc in Plano. I am going to work with Hanson for a bit but am thinking of going to this guy for a 2nd opinion http://www.consultingorthopedists.com/shelokov/ Cristltxbluebelle <txbluebelle@...> wrote: ,The thing is there is no easy way to get to LaGrone. He is 600 miles away. And the only nonstop flights are puddle jumpers. Hanson has co-authored papers with Bridwell and Lenke. He did general surgery and ortho residency at Baylor College of Med and a spine fellowship at Washington University with Bridwell. Kathy>> Dear Cristl and Kathy,> > This is just me, but what you said and the questions you still have , I think this is why it's wise to get a second opinion. I know I went from doc to doc in the 80's and 90's getting various ideas of what was going on with me, and nobody I saw was a revision specialist, didn't even know what revision was at that point or what Flatback was. All I knew was that I was in a lot of pain, that my walking was limited. I was told my fusions looked fine, oh well, your rod is completely unhooked, but look at your curve, you'll always have pain, so learn to live with it, and here is some pills. So here is my only advice, follow your gut, besides doing your homework. If you feel at all uncomfortable with either the doc or the plan, if it's not making sence to you, get a second or third opinion. Then at least you have you have options to weigh. This again is just me, but I feel I lost years of being a functional human being, because I wasn't properly diagnosised. I was symptomatic in 1984, and progressively got worse till I was diagnosised in 2000, till I got to a doc who recognised Flatback. Saying this, I'm not a doc, and you may be getting totally sound advice, but knowing now what I do, I would now travel if possible to get a consultation with top revision specialist, and since you are both in Texas a trip to see Dr. Lagrone might just be a good idea. Having more than one pair of eyes looking at a problem can't hurt, maybe will confirm what this doc told you, and then you choose the doc you feel the most confidence in. I'm glad this is process is over for me, maybe the hardest part, choosing a doc. I just knew down to my toenails that Kumar was my guy, that he had a plan that I was comfortable with, that he had the skills to deliver a great outcome. Here's wishing you both that feeling, and that you will find a doc you have that confidence in. My only advice is don't settle for less.> > > Colorado Springs> [ ] Doc visit today> > > Well, I went to see Dr. Hanson. And honestly, I don't know what to > think. I did find out I am fused to L2 (I wasn't sure how far down > it went) and the fusion is solid. He took a sideways x-ray and I > think my saggital balance is okay. I asked and he sort of said it > was. He didn't say it wasn't. > > He said he couldn't do anything about the shoulder/top of rod pain. > He didn't want to try and take the old rod out even though it is > broken. And he wasn't concerned I can't turn my neck very well any > more. He did order a CT mylegram. I guess for the lower lumbar > spine. He said that was the only test worth anything if you have a > Harrington rod. He did say I had some arthritis in the spine. And he > wanted to see the actual MRI from two years ago. I only had the > report, and it was very difficult to get that.> > So I don't know what I am going to do. Or if I will do the test. I > got the impression he thought I was okay. He really didn't recommend > anything other than the test.> > Kathy> Get your email and more, right on the new .com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 Hi Cristl.... You might also want to check out Barton Sachs: http://www.texasback.com/spine_4.htm He was trained by Moe, who also trained Bradford, who is widely considered to be one of the pioneers in scoliosis revision surgery. Regards, On 8/16/06 10:18 AM, " Cristl Craig " <cristl512@...> wrote: Kathy, Here is the information for the doc in Plano. I am going to work with Hanson for a bit but am thinking of going to this guy for a 2nd opinion http://www.consultingorthopedists.com/shelokov/ Cristl Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 16, 2006 Report Share Posted August 16, 2006 My husband and I both really liked Dr Sachs. He was very good at explaining flatback and why I am in pain. I would have gone back to see him if I hadn't changed insurance. I figured if I had to go out of network, I might as well go to someone with lots of experience. I never asked Dr Sachs how many revision surgeries he has done. > > > > Kathy, > > > > > > > > Here is the information for the doc in Plano. I am going to work with Hanson > > for a bit but am thinking of going to this guy for a 2nd opinion > > > > > > > > http://www.consultingorthopedists.com/shelokov/ > > > > > > > > Cristl > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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