The "Wow!" Showing X-Rays of scoliosis correction surgery to family and patient.

One of the best parts of my job is getting a chance to share the
postoperative X-Rays with parents and with the scoliosis patients
after correcting their spinal deformity.
Yesterday we helped Claire from Virginia who had a severe double curve
scoliosis, and got a very nice correction.
The usual conference room where I meet with families after surgery was
being used, so we shared Claire's old and new "shape" next to each
other up against the window. Mom and dad and Claire's brother
definitely gave a big "Wow!".

Later in the day yesterday, I shared the X-Rays with Claire, as she
was recovering after surgery in her private room with mom and dad.
She looked up at the printout of her X-Rays, before and after, and
gave a very definite "WOW!", and a very broad, bright smile.
I also understand that she was "texting" her friends on her cell phone
within 2 hours of waking up from anesthesia!!
Since her surgery was just under 3 hours, that makes almost 5 full
hours when she was out of contact with friends!
Thankfully we have a free wireless network in the hospital, so she can
also email or IM friends from her room.

------------------------------
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
http://www.heyclinic.com
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) http://www.srs.org

14 yo with 58/40 degree double curve scoliosis from Richmond, VA. Mon Dec 29 2008 Scoliosis Surgery w/ Dr. Hey

This morning we straightened up Claire, a 14 yo from Richmond
Virginia. She had a progressive double curve scoliosis with 58
degree lower curve, and 40 degree upper curve.
She came and saw me for a second opinion last month after she was
scheduled to have scoliosis surgery with fusion down to L5.
Bending films at Hey Clinic taken that day suggested that the lower
curve, although large, was nicely flexible at the base, so I was
hopeful we could spare her 3 rather than 1 lower disc spaces (a BIG
deal).

Her surgery went very well this morning.
Surgical Time: Start 0826, Finish 1120
Surgical Time: 2 hrs 54 minutes.
EBL: 600 cc
Cell Saver 250 cc
Blood Transfused: None.
Evoked Potentials: Normal Sensory and Motor.
Scoliosis Correction: Over 90%.
Postop Location: PACU, and then to Private Orthopaedic Room with
Parents, Duke Raleigh Hospital.
Predicted Hospital Length of Stay: Two Nights.

--------
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Spine Surgeon
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
http://www.heyclinic.com
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) http://www.srs.org

Smiles and great posture after complex anterior/posterior extension instrumentation and fusion.

I saw Leslie back last week.
She had MANY spine surgeries done elsewhere, including Dr. Grubb with
Grubb hardware.
Her story of her surgery is on earlier blogs.
Leslie had severe adjacent level failure, with very bad posture and
severe mpain.
Now she looks great!
Take care, Leslie, and thanks for letting us share our photo!
------------------------------
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS) http://www.srs.org

Encouraging story on NPR about prayer and teamwork at the hospital.

I heard this heart-warming story on NPR this morning, and found it really encouraging to hear about a woman who worked for 40 years in the surgical instrument room who would pray for each patient who would be needing those surgical instruments that day.  She understood that she played a crucial role on the overall team for the care of each patient, and that her gifts were being used to help bring healing.

Indeed, it takes a team effort to deliver highly effective care and for healing to occur.

Prayer is also something that is very important to many of our patients and families and team members.

This morning I saw a retired physician from Wilmington, NC who is considering spinal surgery.  He asked me if I pray with patients, and I told him that is something we do gently offer to patients and families who are interested.  

Take a listen to this NPR story, and let's all remember to thank even the members of the team who are not always directly helping at the point of care.  It takes the full team, both behind the scenes and "on-stage" to make it work.

 

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=98451551

Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS

Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery

Raleigh, NC USA

http://www.heyclinic.com

Fwd: thanTo the Hey Clinic,ks/happy holidays

From: FB

Date: December 17, 2008 4:49:59 PM EST

To: DR. HEY

Subject: thanTo the Hey Clinic,ks/happy holidays

To the Hey Clinic,

 

The receptionists, you're super   

 

The office staff you're great

 

The physicians assistants, outstanding

 

The surgeon, simply the best

 

The entire clinic really caring about their patients... PRICELESS.

 

Thanks to all at clinic;  HAPPY HOLIDAYS; see you in mid January

______________________ 
FB

--------

Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS

Spine Surgeon

Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery

Raleigh, NC  USA

http://www.heyclinic.com

Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS)  http://www.srs.org

Fwd: Update. Adult scoliosis surgery 10 years ago. Long term success a quuality of life.

-------------

Lloyd A.  Hey, MD MS

Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery

Raleigh, NC USA

http://www.heyclinic.com

Begin forwarded message:

From: Jane <@nc.rr.com>
Date: December 12, 2008 2:07:37 PM EST
To: dr. Hey
Subject: Update

My dear, dear Dr. Hey:

 

Ten years ago, on December 23, 1998, I entered the post op of Duke Medical Center with fear and trembling.  Not that I had a real choice; but after much dialogue and exploring other avenues to relieve my extreme back pain, you proposed a spinal fusion.  That was the wisest decision of my entire life because it took me from a possible life in a wheelchair to where I am today.  These past 10 years have been spent at our home on Kiawah Island, SC.   An occasional bout  with bursitis is about all I can recall during these years.  As of October of this year, we have moved to Chapel Hill, NC and both my husband and I feel this is the best place to spend the rest of our life.  I am now 78 years old and have the assurance that if my best friend, Dr. Lloyd Hey, is ever needed, he is there and waiting.  Thank you for all you have done, and I thank God you were given the ability to mend and heal those who are in such pain.  It is a true calling .

 

 

Jane

  

Today's Hey Clinic Scoliosis Surgery #2: 12 yo with thoracolumbar scoliosis

My second surgery today was a 12 yo girl, who had a progressive scoliosis and a large R rib hump.
She had a large compensatory lumbar curve that corrected very well with bending films.
We subsequently were able to correct her upper curve while sparing her lumbar spine for motion and activities.
Her surgery went very smoothly, and her curve was quite flexible (youth is a great thing!)
Surgical time was approximately 2 hrs 30 minutes.
She is in PACU, and will go to the orthopaedic floor to a private room to be with her parents.
Her parents will be seeing her in PACU as well shortly.
When her mom saw the postop X-Ray after surgery, she wept for joy!
What a great job.


Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
http://www.heyclinic.com
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh NC  USA

Hey Clinic Scoliosis Surgery Mon Dec 15 2008: 20 yo with severe thoracolumbar curve

This morning we helped John, a 20 yo tall college student who had a severe kyphoscoliosis with a 55 degree thoracolumbar curve, and severe hypokyphosis with actually thoracolumbar lordosis.  This hypokyphosis causes his chest to look “sunken in”, which also causes decreased lung volumes.

His surgery today went quite well, but was more difficult due to a relatively stiff curve, and thick paraspinal muscles combined with severe hypokyphosis, which made his spine “deeper” than usual, especially in the thoracic region.

I was able to successfully correct the curve with several osteotomies combined with segmental spinal correction using the rods and screws and special instruments called “Persuaders”.

He is doing well now up on the orthopaedic floor with his parents and girlfriend who is a very driven “premed”!

Dr. Lloyd A Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh NC USA
http://www.heyclinic.com
Member, Scoliosis Research Society (SRS.org)