47 yo w collapsing lumbar scoliosis fixed this morning.

This morning we helped a 47 yo young lady w collapsing scoliosis. She probably had asymptomatic curve as adolescence, but then in past 5 to 10 yrs, degeneration led to curve progression, obvious visible posture problems, and pain.
Her surgery went very well today.
Levels fused: T11-Iliac wing (9 levels)
Osteotomies: 3.
Surgical time: 4 hours
Est Blood Loss: (EBL): 850 cc.
Cell saver 375 cc.
Blood transfused: none.
Complications: none.
Correction: 35.6 to close to zero (95 per cent).
Lordosis: Excellent
Postop location: PACU --- to private ortho room.
It was a blessing that she got this fixed while she was younger and her curve was more flexible. Some people are naturally more flexible than others.

I think she will really enjoy her new shape!

I'm the patient's husband and have just finished meeting with Dr. Hey. We've reviewed the films and the "before-and-after" comparison of the correction is just amazing! The result is a straight in one plane and naturally curved in the other. It is wonderful and we'll be so happy with the result! Thanks to Dr. Hey and the Hey Clinic.

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

Mary's Back To Life Story After Scoliosis Surgery

Begin forwarded message:

From: Mary

Date: January 30, 2009 3:44:38 PM EST

To: "Dr. Lloyd Hey" 

Subject: Back to life story

In the 10 years before surgery I went to several neuro surgeons and pain clinics both in NJ and NC.   All agreed that my back was in poor shape, but there was nothing anyone could do.  I was literally told I'd have to learn to live with it.

The pain increased each year until by 2006 it was all I could do to take ten steps, hanging onto a rail or someone.  The pain became so severe that I would have to sit and rest.  My quality of life diminished to one of merely existing day to day.  I had just about given up hope when my primary care doctor asked me if I would go t o Raleigh and meet with Dr. Lloyd Hey and get his opinion.

My husband and I were thrilled with another chance at help.  We prayed about it
and said,"Yes" we'd go. When we met Dr. Hey we were m,ost impressed by his gentle, understanding manor and his overall sense of "Hope"  After over an hour
of explaining my x-rays and showing us what was causing my pain, he said it would require extensive surgery, but it was fixable.

I was so elated that he felt comfident he could reduce my pain level almost completely, that we prepared to have the surgery very soon.  It went very well.
Un fortunately I was only home about ten days when I fell-hence the second surgery.  At this time I've just had my one year check up and"Graduated" with flying colors.
I have had "NO"  back pain since my surgery. This has been a true miracle for me and my family.  

I am looking forward to my Spring gardening, which I hav't been able to do for the past three years.  I can now cook standing up, I can shop without having to stop every few minutes.  My craft projects are now back in full swing, and I
have a whole new outlook of hope for the rest of my life.

I cannot thank and praise Dr. Hey, Jaclyn, Brittany, his Pa's and his entire staff
for all they have done for me.

From the bottom of my heart, Thank You and God Blest all of You and I ask God to give you many more years to help others.
I'm sending in the back to life story and consent to use wherever

Mary Ellen C.

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

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

McKenzie Day #1 Postop: Doing great. McKenzie's mom, Pam, asks for "Before/After" Photos to get put on Blog!

Today was McKenzie’s first day after surgery. She did very well last night, and looked quite good this morning on our morning rounds at 7am.
When I came by on late afternoon rounds, her nurse grabbed me and told me that McKenzie was cruising up and down the halls and back again, with her two grandpas on either arm guiding her along.
McKenzie’s mom, Pam, asked if I had a chance to post the “before/after” X-Rays on the blog yet, since she was eager to share those pictures with family that are out of town, and across the country. I admitted that my little laptop was quite “sick”, including my iPhoto Library, but I would make a special effort to get them up there this evening, one way or another.

Well, as requested by Pam, here are the before-after pics for McKenzie, who was showing off her new posture without the big rib hump to the whole Duke Raleigh Orthopaedic Floor and her many family members!

You look great McKenzie!

If all continues to go well, McKenzie should be heading home tomorrow after 2 nights with us in the hospital.

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

Thoracic Kyphosis causing lumbar hyperlordosis, causing spondylolysis in a 12 yo girl.

This morning right before fixing McKenzie’s scoliosis I saw another 12 yo girl named Carson for a second opinion for surgery.  This young lady had a pars fracture, or spondylolysis at L5, with occasional back pain.  A posterior L5-S1 instrumentation and fusion was being suggested.

I did not find any significant spondylolisthesis, but did find that she had a 62 degree thoracic kyphosis with some Scheuermann’s Kyphosis changes in mid-thoracic spine, which caused her low back to go into hyperlordosis, which increased stress at L5, and may have contributed to the cause of the stress fracture of L5.

Carson’s dad showed up about half-way through the appointment, and she was able to explain to her dad the “dominoe effect” of the kyphosis contributing to her lower back issue.

We all agreed to hold off on surgery, but keep an eye on the kyphosis over next few months and years to look for progression and/or pain.

That was very welcome news for Carson and her family!
Strong work, Carson!


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

12 yo scoliosis young lady gets straightened up today with a very big and loving crowd!

Well it has been a little while since I have had a chance to update the Blog, but TODAY I’ve got a minute to share a couple powerful moments.
This morning I met McKenzie and her family and friends and pastors before her adolescent idiopathic scoliosis surgery.
I am not exaggerating --- there were I think 11 people there to love and encourage McKenzie and her family.
The private room in the Preop Area was simply packed, but we got a nice team picture together after McKenzie’s pastor led us in a big circle in a powerful prayer.
McKenzie’s surgery went really well, and took 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Estimated Blood loss was around 700 cc, and cell saver blood was returned to her x 250 cc.
No blood transfusions were necessary, and we got a really nice correction.

When I came back out to talk to the family, McKenzie’s fan club had grown from 11 to 13!
When I climbed into the conference room with Sarah, my NC State Intern, that made 15!
When I shared the preop and postop X-Rays with McKenzie’s mom and the whole fan group, the crowd went wild, which we were able to catch on video, with permission to share this later.  What a joy to see their relief and surprise.

One of McKenzie’s other pastors then led us in another big circle of prayer of thanksgiving around the room.

Later in the day, I saw McKenzie with her mom and others in her private room.  She looks great, and very straight, and ready to get up and get moving.

What a great and memorable day.

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