View allAll Photos Tagged scoliosissurgery
Prior to scoliosis surgery, I had 3 curves in my back and some serious vertebral twisting. The major thoracic curve measured 65 degrees.
This is my back about a month after my corrective scoliosis surgery. I was fused from T4 to L1. My shoulder blades finally line up and dammit, that scar looks tough. Learn more at scoligirl.com.
This was my back before my scoliosis surgery, showing a 60 degree over 48 degree curve. When bent over you can really see the rib hump. Learn more at scoligirl.com.
Fusion from T4 to L1 area of spine, using two titanium rods and 15 screws. The surgery resulted in my curve improving from 60 degrees to a miraculous 15. More importantly, I grew 2 inches in the process! Learn more at scoligirl.com.
Fusion from T4 to L1 area of spine, using two titanium rods and 15 screws. The surgery resulted in my curve improving from 60 degrees to a miraculous 15. More importantly, I grew 2 inches in the process! Learn more at scoligirl.com.
This was my back before my scoliosis surgery, showing a 60 degree over 48 degree curve. Blech. Learn more at scoligirl.com.
June is almost over and I’ve not done anything for Scoliosis Awareness Month yet. So, here are my pre-operative and post-operative X-Rays and my (brief) scoliosis story.
Scoliosis is an abnormal curvature in the spine.
When I was 11 years old my mum noticed that I was sitting strangely and had a large hump on one side of my back. My whole family and I rushed to A&E in the middle of the night fearing the worst. After hours, observations, and x-rays, I was diagnosed with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis - a 50° curve in my spine. By the time I found out about my scoliosis the curve was too severe for physiotherapy, bracing, and other forms of treatment to be effective and surgery was the only option. The curve was progressing fast and was crushing my lungs and organs and eventually it would kill me.
On the 13th February 2008 (10 months after my diagnosis) I underwent spinal fusion surgery at the Evelina Children’s Hospital in London to correct the now 70° scoliosis curve.
The curve is now approximately 35° and I have 2 titanium rods, 16 screws and a cross-connector attached to my spine. Four years post-op and I still struggle with chronic pain most of the time.
The earlier scoliosis is caught, the less likely it is that you will need treatment or the more effective treatment will be, so I would urge anyone to take a quick look at yourself in the mirror or ask someone to check your back.
This is what the intensive care room looked like while I was in the hospital. Learn more at scoligirl.com.
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I could not stop feeling the bones in my chest after surgery. They were completely moved up and over!
Day 2 after surgery I was able to walk alone after receiving a blood transfusion from myself (I donated prior).
A much straighter me with an extra 1.5 inches of vertical, 17 screws (had 18 but 1 was removed), and two steel rods.
Making my escape from the hospital at last! My new friend Jonathon did the honors. Check out the swollen feet and ankles.
Feels good to not be anemic and drink chocolate milk, one of my favorite post workout recovery drinks thanks to Kim Mueller from Fuel Factor.
Allen Lemle, Kim Mueller (1st place age group 2008 SD RnR marathon!) and Danielle Drumm visited at the same time!
What it looked like after having to be reopened for the revision surgery. I developed a painful blister on my lower back from the hospital bed that the nurse made feel better :).
I spent the first 5 days on the phone with family and friends or listening to my ipod, both of which I remember little :). I was not interested in TV or anything else that required lifting my arms or head.
Dr. Kevin Lau is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD, and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack.
Day 2 - standing up for the first time. My oxygen levels and blood pressure were too low to do much else.
Day 8. Buck Williamson from the San Diego Triathlon Club made me a triathlon themed word search to pass time while I waited for the second surgery.
Dr. Kevin Lau is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD, and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack.
Screw at T6 that was removed during a second surgery. After a week at the hospital recovering from the initial operation, the point of it was found to be waaay to close to my aorta. It was trying to break my heart....literally!
Trial number 2 - I did it without my blood pressure dropping! Having the Tour de France on in the background helped.
This X-ray shows a post-operative image of a scoliosis repair. The black line represents the center of gravity line within the spine for normal limits. Following this surgery, the patient can now walk without aids.
Dr. Donald Corenman, Vail, CO Orthopedic Spine Surgeon, has written countless articles and documents on spine and back pain. He is also the author of books relating to the spine and back.
Dr. Kevin Lau is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD, and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack.
Raja Lahti surprise visited me :). She is truly an inspiration after having a similar hospital experience to share.
Dr. Kevin Lau is the founder of Health In Your Hands, a series of tools for Scoliosis prevention and treatment. The set includes his book Your Plan for Natural Scoliosis Prevention and Treatment, a companion Scoliosis Exercises for Prevention and Correction DVD, and the innovative new iPhone application ScolioTrack.