At the end of last week, I traveled to New Orleans for the North American Spine Society (NASS) meeting down in New Orleans, and then got a chance to have lunch with Benjamin's parents in Baton Rouge, LA. Benjamin is one of our adolescent scoliosis patients, who is now off to college in Texas doing very well. It was so nice to see Mark and Rachel, and get a chance to visit their hometown for the first time. Then, it was on my way back to RDU, Raleigh and Hey Clinic! Thanks again Mark and Rachel for a lovely visit. |
| Sunset flying back from Baton Rouge, LA |
We saw a bunch of other postops as well, beyond the many adolescents and younger adults who were seen for conservative f/u for scoliosis evaluation and possible bracing. Ann below is a nurse from Wilmington, NC. She had "wicked bad" flat back syndrome as shown below, having had a previous lumbar fusion and severe disc collapse, and stenosis.
We were able to get her straightened up nicely with an anterior L5S1 ALIF, followed by a posterior multilevel laminectomy and osteotomies and removal of the old hardware. She came in for her 6 week postop visit yesterday with a big smile, and a nice straight posture, off all her pain medications. She is getting back to work and back to life!
Ann shares some thoughts here in this short YouTube Clip.
Here are some other clips from some returning patients on Friday, each of whom was also back for their 6 week postop visit.
Andrea was back for her 6 week postop visit after having a double curve adolescent idiopathic scoliosis years before that progressed and became very painful. Her story is shared below.
This gentleman had a revision thoracolumbar iliac wing instrumentation and fusion performed a year ago, and is doing very well. He had a pseudarthrosis and spinal stenosis and has done very well postop. As you can see, he is quite a big guy, making me look like his little brother!!
One of the unique things about Hey Clinic is that we have created a custom information system to help us ensure quality care for all of our guests and families. We actually have a full-time programmer who is continually improving our systems, and also helps mentor IT students who will work in our office as a part of their training and work experience. Austin shares in this YouTube video an iPad application he helped create that allows point of service data collection at a local church --- a volunteer project he did to help learn how to create simple database applications on the iPad. Strong work Austin!
I've got much more to share, but the hour is growing late, and I have a very large scoliosis surgery planned for tomorrow 7:15am on a lady who had a fracture dislocation as a young teenager, ejected from a car and unfortunately was paralyzed in the lower extremities. She now has a progressive spinal deformity and severe pain and trouble sitting up in her wheelchair. Although her motor system to the legs are out, she still has sensation, and has significant pain.
After a very busy couple of weeks with surgery and travel, it was great to take a little time off this afternoon and take a walk through the woods with our dogs. Above is my artistic shot of the day, watching the peaceful water streaming down a small waterfall. The blue in the water is a reflection of the beautiful Carolina blue sky up above. Some fresh air and time with family is good for the soul, and helps get me fired up for the week ahead.
Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com
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