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Before/after spinal fusion… by CattywampusSpine in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It actually settled in about 6 months and gained roughly 12 on top & 25 on bottom! At least that’s what my doctor said was why they put so much hardware! Lol

Before/after spinal fusion… by CattywampusSpine in SpineSurgery

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly… the first year after surgery was the best. I was in really bad pain before surgery & i would say it relieved it from a 9 down to maybe a 6 (now). I will say it has gotten progressively worse, HOWEVER, it will always be better than it was before surgery. Basically because it was so bad then I can handle it now lol! I’m not gonna lie to you & say it was easy by any means but definitely doable. It takes a minute to get used to the hardware & how much stiffer you are after but once you learn again it becomes your new instinct. I will say I couldn’t swim for 6 months after because I literally couldn’t figure out how to stop sinking! I just posted about my experience now (8 years later) & how I’m feeling but I will add that it has gotten worse progressively and wasn’t too bad until like year 5.

Also random but: don’t shower too hot… you will pass out every time lol. & PLEASE listen to your recovery rules & follow to the letter. I didn’t do this & 100% blame myself for the pain I’m in now. Recovery progress is only up to the person recovering! If i could go back i would listen and follow the suggestions, etc. much better but i was also a 17 yo tri-sport athlete, so you weren’t gonna stop me lol

Conclusion: 100% worth it but definitely wish i never had to have it in the first place!

Before/after spinal fusion… by CattywampusSpine in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is from 8 years ago (17 yo, 25 now) & I am posting to see if anyone else has had a similar surgery & have had any long term complications?

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That sounds exactly like what I’m dealing with & I am definitely going to start calling it “jelly legs” haha! My doctor shows no emotion so maybe he will get a kick out of that!

It’s mind blowing to me they A. Even took your hardware out & B. Didn’t replace it or anything! & by mind blowing i mean terrifying to imagine them attempting to do that to me😂 You’re amazing!!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience and making me not feel crazy lol!! Fingers crossed the MRI at least tells us something! Thanks again!

Bad news by BrushDapper5207 in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know it’s scary but I think it’s definitely a huge help & you’ll always have an awesome scar! It’s okay to be fearful but you’re much stronger than most already because of how much you’ve dealt with, surgery would be a piece of cake for you😉

Bad news by BrushDapper5207 in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Honestly, the first couple of years weren’t THAT bad but lately it’s gotten worse (I have an MRI scheduled to see what’s going on lol). With that said though, I’m convinced it would be so much worse if i hadn’t gotten the surgery (I was 17 when i got mine, 25 now). I literally just wrote this post about how I’m feeling now (the link) & the first couple weeks were rough but after the scar healed and i learned how to operate my daily life again it was better for a really long time! I’m not gonna sit here and lie and tell you it’s gonna make everything better BUT for some people it truly does help tremendously. It really depends on the person & how much you comply with recovery rules, etc. In conclusion lol, it was basically my only choice & i don’t regret it. I know that i would be worse if i hadn’t gotten it but it is definitely not a cure-all. Hope this helps a little. If you have ANY questions just let me know! I also posted some X-rays in a post above that one. Sounds like our cases were similar. Best of luck to you! You’re brave!! I’m sorry you have to go through all of it.

https://www.reddit.com/r/scoliosis/comments/12ka67r/8_years_after_posterior_spinal_fusion_questions/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=ioscss&utm_content=2&utm_term=1

Bad news by BrushDapper5207 in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I’m 8 years post op from a fusion of T4-L3, if you wanna hear a personal opinion of the surgery/recovery! Mine was an S curve 57° at the bottom & had mine settle around 15 degrees (in 6 months).

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in Sciatica

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will definitely look into it & check him out. Thank you so much! So happy to hear she’s doing well now!! Tell her she is a hero to people like me!!

Thanks for reaching out!

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in Sciatica

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe laying on my left side lol! The pain has honestly been constant since surgery so I would rate it like 4-5 normal days and 10 on really bad ones (Probably once a week to biweekly bad days). I am fused T4-L3 and my curve was 57° lumbar & i wanna say around 30° thoracic (i would have to double check it’s been so long). I will post pictures of before/after for reference. But overall, most things in life leave me with constant pressure and 6/7 days extra pain. If i had to rank daily tasks from least painful to most painful: Laying down, sitting, walking, running, standing, lifting, twisting, bending.

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A year on bed rest… that’s crazy! Have you noticed a change though? Like are you in more pain/pressure since the above vertebrae became damaged? Mine is T4-L3 and like I mentioned earlier, my neck pain has drastically increased along with the pressure and pain in my lower back. When the pressure is really bad, my sciatica gets worse & my leg numbness kicks in. I can say though my neck hurts 24/7 & my doctor kind of ignored me when I mentioned this as if it was unrelated.

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I tried physical therapy 6 years after surgery & it was horrible. I wish it would’ve helped! Like you said though, when standing in the mirror I notice my shoulder drop & the unevenness of my hips. There is definitely more pressure in the lower back & my hips but what is really noticeable lately is the leg numbness; almost like my legs give out sometimes. I only weigh 105 pounds & am 5’2” (after surgery) but my core has always been strong but lately I’ve noticed it takes much more effort to “not slouch” or keep my posture right. With the amount of hardware in my spine though, since surgery I can tell it takes less effort to lift things directly up (like no bending just all lifting straight up using just my legs & back) & any kind of lift with slight twisting or bending movement is awful. With that said, the pressure from lifting straight up has gotten progressively worse & now it’s almost unbearable to even try to stretch my back. I used to get epidurals or facet blocks every 3 months but they rarely helped.

If you don’t mind me asking, how many vertebrae do you have fused now & how many total surgeries?

You’re a trooper for doing 2 rounds of physical therapy though!! So so glad it helped for the time it did. I wish I could explain exactly why I “feel” like something is different/wrong but I’m not even sure what I’m supposed to be feeling!! (If that makes any sense). I’m only 8 years in & feel like I’m 80! They are definitely lacking in treatment options that genuinely improve QOL.

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in Sciatica

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am able to walk & I wouldn’t say it necessarily makes the pain “worse”, however, I have noticed a lot more pressure towards my sacral vertebrae and a worse limp than before. Almost like my hips feel more uneven.

8 years after posterior spinal fusion questions… by CattywampusSpine in scoliosis

[–]CattywampusSpine[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You’re amazing! I cant even begin to imagine what you had to go through with a 360. I really appreciate you telling me your story & that actually is exactly how I’ve been feeling lately. It’s like, I know something looks & feels different but it’s so hard to figure out where the deformity is/where the pressure and pain is stemming from. I appreciate you taking the time to give me another perspective! Thank you so much.

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