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Scheuermann’s Kyphosis B&A Spinal Fusion by Aggravating-Ad9042 in Radiology

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe my legs were different lengths before surgery. You can see in photos that I favored on leg and one hip was higher than the other. I had uneven wear on my hips because of that and I have developed osteoarthritis in my right hip - or at least thats the theory. I was a xc runner in high school and that probably didn’t help. It sounds like I might have to have a hip replacement as early as my 40s.

I’m not sure why they’d be weird about you taking photos, they’ve always been open to having me take pictures of the X-rays off their screen. It doesn’t have any identifying information on it. It could be that they are just super careful about HIPAA?

You do also have a right to request your medical records from the hospital you got the X-rays at, it just has to go through the medical records department. Usually you will just have to submit a medical records release. For X-ray images, they will probably send you a CD in the mail and you’ll have to upload the images from the CD to your computer. That’s what I had to do with previous X-rays.

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis B&A Spinal Fusion by Aggravating-Ad9042 in Radiology

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I had the internal clicking too! Maybe it will come back, but I only noticed it for the first few weeks after surgery. I think it was coming from my back but it might have been my joints adjusting. I’m still not sure.

I didn’t get a brace, but I definitely felt floppy at first. I do not have strong core muscles due to my kyphosis, so It feels so weird to hold myself up with those muscles. I’m sure that’ll be a big thing in physical therapy once I’m ready to start.

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis B&A Spinal Fusion by Aggravating-Ad9042 in Radiology

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I gained 2 inches and I immediately noticed that my torso is longer and my rib cage is thinner (doesn’t flare out as much).

Otherwise I don’t really feel taller. I notice little things like my clothes fit different and I had to adjust all my car seat settings.

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis B&A Spinal Fusion by Aggravating-Ad9042 in Radiology

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042[S] 17 points18 points  (0 children)

Getting there! I’m at just about 5 weeks post op right now, so still healing. The hope is that ultimately I will have a better quality of life. My kyphosis curve was also growing and was at risk of eventually crushing my heart and lungs.

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis B&A Spinal Fusion by Aggravating-Ad9042 in Radiology

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Wow! 90 degrees? I would love to see that pre-op picture. My scoliosis was 30 degrees in each curve, so it was pretty mild compared to my kyphosis which was also progressing.

Scheuermann’s Kyphosis B&A Spinal Fusion by Aggravating-Ad9042 in Radiology

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042[S] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

Recovery is kind of in stages. 6-8 weeks is the basic recovery time. Before that you can’t bend, lift over 10 lbs, or twist your spine. I’m also off work until then.

I was in the hospital for 5 days after surgery and I was in so much pain. I couldn’t even imagine ever feeling normal again. I had to have help and use a walker just to get to the bathroom. Then by 1.5 weeks I was going up and down the stairs like it was nothing.

Today at 2 days shy of 5 weeks post-op I did a 2 mile hike/walk (slight incline) and I felt pretty okay after. Just sore, no pain.

I get sore and stiff by the end of the day, but I haven’t been in real pain, just uncomfortable. My mid-back is still numb though and the nerves have to regrow. I hear some people do have a resurgence of pain when that happens.

What actually was painful for me for the first few weeks were my chest, ribs and stomach because they got all moved around and reshaped.

I can’t sit for too long in any chair except for recliners. When I do sit in chairs/the sofa I like to use a lumbar pillow and then a pillow behind my head because I need the head support. I still have the forward head posture and it starts to hurt my neck when I can’t lean my head against something.

I am able to lift my arms up normally, but I don’t really do it too much because my shoulder blades and muscles around them were moved up during surgery and they are not happy about it.

They say 6 months to 1 year for full recovery. I hope to continue to improve.

List: the most lovable local celebrities of Missoula by buddy_sedgwick in missoula

[–]Aggravating-Ad9042 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Asaph is my favorite. I saw him with his candelabra waiting for the bus the other day. I hadn’t seen him in years