We took care of this gentleman last week who had a severe spinal cord compression at C34 with severe arm weakness, including loss of fine motor.
About 18 hours after surgery, on the first postoperative day he was showing off to my 2 physician assistants how strong his pinch grip had improved overnight.
He went home very thankful, and on the way to recovery.
Surgical time was 90 minutes.
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com
Raleigh, NC USA
This afternoon we helped an 82 yo woman with progressive leg pain, and back pain and trouble standing or walking for more than just a couple minutes.
She had a collapsing scoliosis with 2 level severe spondylolisthesis with severe stenosis.
She underwent a L2-5 decompression and fusion this afternoon, and is doing well now postoperatively.
She will be up walking tomorrow.
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC - USA
http://www.HeyClinic.com
Today we saw Nancy and Bob back for 6 week follow-up.
Nancy had a severe fracture of T12 with kyphosis, and had broken her rods at the fracture level on 2 occasions, breaking standard rods, and “triple rod” constructs.
She was not willing to undergo an anterior-posterior reconstruction.
I wrote a long Blog a few weeks ago explaining a new ‘Quad Rod” technique which has drastically improved the strength of her posterior reconstruction.
She looked just great today in clinic, with a big smile, wonderful posture, and wonderful gait.
You look great, Nancy!
Dr. Lloyd A. Hey
http://www.heyclinic.com
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
On Friday, we saw Karen, one of our dearest patients back for follow-up with her mom.
She has had an amazing recovery from major thoracolumbar kyphoscoliosis surgery as well as anterior/posterior cervical spine reconstructive surgery for vertebral discitis with severe myelopathy with severe quadriparesis.
It was a long, tough battle, and at times seemed fairly hopeless. But now, months later, she is back on her feet walking, living at home, and using her arms and hands again.
Karen is an amazingly driven young lady, and is a blessing to all of us.
Karen and her mom made a special point to go over and see the nurses, physical therapists, hospitalists, and other care-givers that invested their lives into Karen and her family over many weeks.
Everyone was just so amazed to see the “New Karen” --- what an encouragement to those who work in the hospital, who are often seeing patients at their worst.
Many years ago, after my own long recovery after being hit by a car, I made a point to go back and visit my old hospital every year when I was in college.
I am sure I was probably quite a burden for some of those nurses and aids, and therapists during my 3 and a half month hospitalization.
Like Karen on Friday, it always brought great joy to the staff to see someone come back healed after a long ordeal.
Remembering to turn around and give thanks for those who helped you through the toughest time is a good lesson for all of us.
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com
We saw Craig and his dad back for follow-up just a few months after his scoliosis surgery this past summer.
He is back to school, doing well, and obtained a very good scoliosis correction and final appearance.
Lloyd A. Hey, MD MS
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
Raleigh, NC USA
http://www.HeyClinic.com
