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My Question Is This. Because Of A Botched Fusion I
Question: My question is this. Because of a botched fusion I am currently fused from L2 to S1 and it is currently fused into a flat back position.. But most of the cages are loose and I can still bend over to pick anything off the floor. I am scheduled to have surgery this Wed a fusion from T-10 to S1. Right now I can't stand straight up and breathing is a problem. Right now I don't like the problems I am going to have with the lack of mobility from the next fusion. Isn't there something in between what I have now and the total fusion. I am 66 have almost every auto-amune problem there is. I want to start another business but I need to move better than the fusion will let me. My body from the waiste to the shoulders leans to the right. Can you give me any insite about what can be done.. Thanks , XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
You need to weight pros and cones
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
From your query the main problem seems to be bending of body to right and difficulty breathing as a result. Since you have not mentioned any pinched nerve symptoms, it is a good sign.
You have already gone through fusion surgeries and you are well aware of its after-effects. Total fusion would be an answer of the orthopedic surgeon. So you can decide whether to proceed with or not. If you want to proceed, you can do so after sometime when your other chores are done. Maybe you can postpone it for sometime.
Bent spine can be managed conservatively (non-surgically) by an orthotist. It depends on the degree of curvature and associated symptoms. Their main aim would be that curvature does not get worse. You can visit an orthotist before you go for another surgery.
Is the breathing difficulty due to stiff back/bending to right or some other associated cause? Breathing is very much needed for normal functioning of body. So you can do some breathing exercises. Also extent of breathing capacity needs to be measured by further tests like chest X ray and pulmonary function tests under guidance of pulmonologist.
Hope this solves your problem. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
You need to weight pros and cones
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to Ask A Doctor service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
From your query the main problem seems to be bending of body to right and difficulty breathing as a result. Since you have not mentioned any pinched nerve symptoms, it is a good sign.
You have already gone through fusion surgeries and you are well aware of its after-effects. Total fusion would be an answer of the orthopedic surgeon. So you can decide whether to proceed with or not. If you want to proceed, you can do so after sometime when your other chores are done. Maybe you can postpone it for sometime.
Bent spine can be managed conservatively (non-surgically) by an orthotist. It depends on the degree of curvature and associated symptoms. Their main aim would be that curvature does not get worse. You can visit an orthotist before you go for another surgery.
Is the breathing difficulty due to stiff back/bending to right or some other associated cause? Breathing is very much needed for normal functioning of body. So you can do some breathing exercises. Also extent of breathing capacity needs to be measured by further tests like chest X ray and pulmonary function tests under guidance of pulmonologist.
Hope this solves your problem. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Part of my question was isn't there something in between what I have currently and a total Fusion from T10 to S1. Right now because of the flat back syndrome I am not able to stand upright because I keep bending over, it is forcing me to bend over and that is what is causing the breathing problem. Part of my question was isn't there something that they can do to correct a flat back part that way I would be able to strengthen my upper back even if I had to wear an external brace. It seems to me that I wouldn't be able to have more Mobility that way. They're thinking about recurving my back which would mean cutting into the fused part creating a wedge and then fusing the rest. My question is, if they can cut into the fuse part and create a wedge why can't they put an artificial disc in so I would have some Mobility, do you know what I'm saying
Brief Answer:
The followup is outside my specialty
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I think they should be able to do such a surgery and put artificial disc.
Since your followup query is outside my specialty. To do full justice to your query, I have requested customer care team to forward your query and followup to an orthopedic surgeon who will be better able to help you with it.
Dr Vaishalee
The followup is outside my specialty
Detailed Answer:
Hi again
I think they should be able to do such a surgery and put artificial disc.
Since your followup query is outside my specialty. To do full justice to your query, I have requested customer care team to forward your query and followup to an orthopedic surgeon who will be better able to help you with it.
Dr Vaishalee
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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