JMP picture

"You're too old for scoliosis surgery"

Saw MD yesterday in clinic who had referred a 50 Yo patient w post-polio syndrome w severe scoliosis and severe pain. Was seen at an academic medical center by spine surgeon who told patient "you are too old for scoliosis surgery!". She continues to suffer.

This patient below had kyphoscoliosis surgery this morning. She is 80 years old and in agony w back pain and deformity. She doesn't wish to live unless she gets relief. She is otherwise quite healthy

We did T3-iliac wing instrumentation and fusion for her this morning and she did really well. Surgical time 4 hrs 20 min. Ebl 850 cc. No blood transfused. Got very good correction.

While I would obviously prefer to fix spinal deformities in younger patients, many older guests benefit greatly from having their scoliosis stabilized an corrected.

The "too old" opinion is a bit of a hold-over from the old Dr. Harrington days when scoliosis and kyphosis surgery was done just for children, and adolescents an adults under 40.

14 Yo young lady w 56 degree adolescent idiopathic scoliosis straightened up this morning

Double curve also w 66 degrees of kyphosis.
T3-L3 instrumentation and fusion w Osteotomies
Surgical time: 3 hrs 12 min
Complications: none
Ebl: 350 cc
Blood transfused: none.

Correction: very good.

Adolescent Kyphosis / Scoliosis Postop Hug from Taylor. The scoliosis JOURNEY.

Friday was busy in clinic as usual, with lots of smiles and happy reunions with our guests, including many of our adolescent and young adults back for follow-up after scoliosis and/or kyphosis surgery.

Taylor, one of our teenage postop scoliosis guests told her mom that she wanted to give me a “BIG HUG” when she saw me in clinic today.

Well, as you can see, she got her wish.  The journey through scoliosis / kyphosis diagnosis and treatment is definitely a real journey for the adolescent and their family.  It’s not just important to “take care of the curve”, or the anatomic problem to prevent issues later in life.  It’s important to try to make the whole journey a positive experience for the young person becoming an adult, so they emerge stronger, more confident and perhaps inspired to pursue compassionate career / life options as they grow up and have a chance to give back to others.  I know my own experience as a patient and teenager definitely had that effect on my life.

What a great encouragement to keep me going through the rest of clinic!  

Thanks for the hug, Taylor and letting us share this on the Blog.

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

Travelling after major adult scoliosis surgery: Seeing the Eiffel Tower!

My PA Jenny and I received this nice picture from Carol, who  I saw recently after her scoliosis surgery doing quite well playing tennis and travelling again.
Many patients have told me that the thoracolumbar iliac wing instrumentation we frequently use for adult scoliosis reconstruction looks like the Eiffel Tower!
Dr. Lloyd Hey
Hey Clinic for Scoliosis and Spine Surgery
http://www.heyclinic.com

Date: Fri, 30 Sep 2011 07:12:32 -0400
To: LLOYD HEY
Subject: Fwd: Eiffel Tower picture for Dr.Hey

  Jenny, here is a picture of me at the Eiffel Tower, as promised to Dr.
Hey. We had a wonderful time...walked for miles. Enjoy your baby.
Carol

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