Posted by Sheryl C
on 4/29/2006, 10:10 pm
66.69.76.101
This is a message to let those who have had rods in their spines for scoliosis (or other reasons, but mainly scoliosis/kyphosis); if you have your rods removed at a later date and your surgeon tells you that your spine is fused, BEWARE, it is well known in a study done by David Bradford, MD at the University of California/San Francisco, that when the rods are removed after fusion, for scoliosis patients, the chances for collapse are extremely high and this indeed happened to me!! Even though my spine looked completely fused on xray and upon examination during surgery, I had rod revision and my upper rods were removed. I even had a very very competent surgeon in Minneapolis, but Bradford's study came out after my rods were removed and I did not know of the possible chance for collapse. My vertebra (3) subsequently collapsed and I ended up 2 inches shorter and 3 compression fractures. Had to go in and have an osteotomy, this had to be done twice due to complications with the fractures. Please please re-think having your rods removed or at least have something put in their place, so that you do not end up with horrible compression fractures like I did. Any questions, I will try and answer for you. Thanks for this scoliosis message board. I have had 6 spine surgeries and still suffering today. I'm now 53, on disability and unable to work. Helps to know there are people out there who care, Sheryl
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