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Scoliosis/Kyphosis

Posted , 4 users are following.

janet68145
janet68145

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone knew if somebody like myself, that has lived with kyphosis for all their life could have treatment for corrective surgery now that in I'm in my late 40's? If so, where should I ask my GP to be referred. I live in Surrey.

0 likes, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK janet68145

    Posted

    Hi

    All authorities are different and I was in my late 50's. The consultant said I'll run you through the options, the first one he said was operation. Then when he finished he said I wouldnt do an op on your back. Why? {I didnt want one to be honest} He started laughing and said I wouldneed 2 beds in ITU aferwards. I said 2 beds? He said yes, one for you and one for the surgeopn after he had finished {he was laughing} He said it was a very successful op on kids in their teens but after that it wasnt very successful. Thats only my experience Everyone could be diffferent

    Love

    Eileen UK

  • janet68145
    janet68145

    Posted

    Dear Eileen, thank you for your response, itmade me chuckle. I always get the impression from 'Orthopods' that they think that I want my back straightened for aesthetic reasons, when, yes, that would be an added bonus of course, but i would like to have some pain relief as I am on such a lot of heavy meds. Also, is their anybody out there that been diagnosed with Kyphosis and separately, Syringomyelia? Apparently its not too common. Thanks all.
  • Jay91157
    Jay91157 janet68145

    Posted

    I had my scoliosis surgery Feb this year at the age of 57. My surgeon heads up the spinal unit at Stoke Mandeville Hosptial Bucks which is world famous. He said he would not do the operation in another ten years and as the curve was 71 at the top and 48 at the bottom I felt I needed it as my hips and ribs and back pain was becoming too much. He also menitoned the worse it got then organs can become crsuhed resulting in organ failure, breathing problems. I don't want to scare you but that is reality.Obviously there are risks, but all opreations carry them. Yes I was in ITU for 4 days and then general ward for 7 more.  I would do some research and don't forget you do not have to use a hosptial near you as the choose and book prossess gives you the right to choose the hospital and surgeon. I looked on the BMI website first and found a surgeon who specialised in scoliosis. I then googled him to find he does NHS. I even managed to see a video on line of his work on spinal decompression which gave me an insight as to how confident he was not sitting behind his desk. He is also a joint author on books for students. Trained in the Uk and New Zealand and works  on the pain management team. I know it is a lot of hard work but I felt it is worth it. Best  Wishes with your decision. 
    • janet68145
      janet68145 Jay91157

      Posted

      Jay, at last, somebody that isn't writing me off! I really don't know the degree of my curvatures, as (strange as it may seem) my spine has not been

      monitored over the years, but I can see in photos and the increased pain tells me that it has worsened. I, obviously would want to see the top person in this field, so your advice is very welcome. I have a suspicion that perhaps the Syringomyelia may be a cause for concern for the orthopods, as that would come under neurologist!? Any thoughts? Thank you for you previous advice, v much appreciated. j

    • Jay91157
      Jay91157 janet68145

      Posted

      Janet, It is a shame you feel written off but there is help out there. I saw my consultant (Mr Blagg) initially at the BMI hosptial, chiltern Hospital Great MIssenden Bucks. Check him out on their website. I was not covered for this visit so it cost me about £250.00. A lot of money I know but I was in there about 45 mins and I felt every penny was worth it. I did not know my curves either until I saw him, as the last time I was monitored was at 16 and then I fell off the radar so to speak. Mr Blagg then refered me to his NHS clinic where I went through MRI scans, xrays and various appointments. He found something on my spine during one of the MRI's that I did not know about, some sort of fluid. When they opend me up he found in that region that my spine had not actually developed properly and was like that from birth. During the op I did not respond to spinal monitoring either making the operation more dificult for him but he got me through it. I am not straight as my back stiffened up over the years but my top curve is 37degrees and bottom curve almost straight. He really is a wonderful man about your age and worth a look up.Surrey is not too far from Bucks and I feel you would really benefit from a visit. In tems of your Syringomyelia I have no experience of so I could not comment. Don't leave your decision as the sooner you see a specialist at least you will know if the operation is an option and is it what you really want and need? If I can help further let me know and if you want to discuss privately then there are other options we can communicate through. Best Wishes 

       

    • janet68145
      janet68145 Jay91157

      Posted

      Jay,once again many thanks for your advice and help. From the brief amount that you've told me, it gives me hope again and it sounds like you are doing well. Former to discovering this site, I thought there was nobody that I could identify with, now I know differently. I have Congenital Idiopathic Kyphosis.
    • Jay91157
      Jay91157 janet68145

      Posted

      Janet, glad to be able to make you feel there is help out there. I have idiopthic scoliosis. This site is really a god send to get support from people who have experienced the condition and their treatment. I had an op on Tuesday for Frozen Shoulder that has been going on for 3 years now, and that was my third op and again the people on this forum share their expericence so you are never alone. Best Wishes for whatever you decide and let me know how you go. 
    • janet68145
      janet68145 Jay91157

      Posted

      Thanks again Jay, I will certainly let you know what I decide, once I've got all the facts. The reaction I've also had is that 'im past it', when I know for a fact that I'm not! As I mentioned in a previous response, I'd rather got to the best Consultant for Kyphosis. Keep well Jay, hope your shoulder gets better soon
  • anthony35638
    anthony35638 janet68145

    Posted

    Hi.

    I am currently 18 an be suffering with shermans kyphosis since 12 i have been monitored and xrayed every 6 months my curve went from 50 to 85, at this point it was decided that surgery was the best move for me. I am now 6 weeks post opp an have never felt better.

    I would simply see your gp get refered to a specialst of the spine and consider the spinal fusion surgery

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