How Does Dr. Hey Place Hardware into a Patient’s Back?

Leslie joined us at the Hey Clinic today for his 6 month post-op visit. In 2013, he had a partial removal of hardware and T11- iliac wing revision extension instrumentation and fusion surgery. During the visit, Leslie asked how Dr. Hey actually did his surgery, prompting Dr. Hey to pull out several spine and hardware models for a closer look.

They discussed how and where his screws are placed in the pedicle hole in the spine, and about how Dr. Hey calculated the angles the screws should be placed at. Furthermore, Leslie inquired about the rods and the special tools Dr. Hey used to contour the rods in the surgical room, in order to achieve the proper sway.

We hope this video will help anyone with similar questions to Leslie’s!

Below are Leslie’s x-rays, so that you may get a better look at his hardware placement.

Leslie gave us permission to use this video and his x-rays on the Hey Clinic blog.

6 Weeks After Surgery- What does the Recovery from Scoliosis look like on Someone with Friedreich’s Ataxia?

Mary: “Hi, I’m Mary, and I just had my back fused. I’m doing pretty good. I’m taller and I’m feeling pretty good, so thanks to all the nurses and Dr. Hey.”

Mary’s Father: “And I would like to thank Dr. Hey and his staff and everybody at the Hospital at Duke Raleigh. It was great, and it went much better than I thought it might. We were very pleased.”

24 year old Mary came to the Hey Clinic about a year ago with Friedreich’s ataxia, progressive scoliosis, and back and neck pain.  She was first diagnosed with scoliosis at age 9, but over the past 8 years, her scoliosis progressed almost 5 degrees/year. At the time of her surgery, 6 weeks ago, she had a C6-T7 curve measuring 40 degrees and a 52 degree curve from T7-L3. In addition, her kyphosis measured 72 degrees. It was great seeing Mary back in the office today! Below are Mary's pre-op and post-op x-rays. 

Mary gave us permission to use her testimonial for educational purposed on the Hey Clinic blog.

17 year old Corbyn – underwent scoliosis surgery for a 50 degree T6-L2 curve and a 5 cm trunk shift

Three days after her scoliosis surgery, Corbyn, a 17 year old dancer and athlete from Granite Quarry, NC, was sitting up taller and straighter in her hospital room. With the support of her family, I met Corbyn as she was preparing for her two-hour trip back home. This sparked my interest in how often and how far families will travel for the right medical care. For several years, Corbyn’s doctor monitored her growing curve.  However, it was not until Corbyn’s mother noticed her daughter’s rapidly increasing trunk shift that she sought out a second opinion and came across Dr. Hey online. They initially made the trip because of Dr. Hey’s credentials, but chose to remain under his care after the encouraging words and compassionate care of the Hey Clinic team. Shortly after her surgery, Corbyn and her mother were already amazed by her significantly straightened posture. As a high school senior, whose dancing and cheerleading required Corbyn to find unique ways to center her balance, her family is very excited about how her surgery will transform her sense of balance. Everyday at the Hey Clinic, we are fortunate to meet families who will make the trip to Raleigh, NC. We are grateful to always be inspired by families like Corbyn’s who remain optimistic and will travel the distance to receive medical care from Dr. Hey and his team. 

Jennifer Sends Photographs of her Cruise, 6 Months after Surgery

Our 62 year old patient sent us pictures of her most recent cruise vacation. 6 months ago, she had a T3 to iliac wing revision extension instrumentation and fusion surgery to correct her PJK (Proximal junctional kyphosis) at 47 degrees. She is looking great, and we are very glad to see she is having a wonderful time! 

Some of our Most Recent Post-op Visitors & Thank You Notes

Hannah: “I’m from Greenville, North Carolina, and it has been a year since my scoliosis surgery. It’s helped me walk better. It’s improved my dance and volleyball, and I want to thank all of you for help during surgery and for helping me to get back to recovery. Thank you!

Hannah’s mom: “Thank you Dr. Hey and all the staff at the Hey Clinic and at the hospital- you’ve been great!”

Hannah’s dad: “You guys are awesome!”

14 year old and her family visit the Hey Clinic 1 year after surgery to correct Hannah’s scoliosis curve measuring 37 degrees from C7-T6 and 40.5 degrees curve from T6-L2.

 

Have you ever wondered how long until you can exercise again after scoliosis or kyphosis surgery? Or maybe your spinal deformity has prevented you from being active? Joel, 6-weeks after his kyphosis surgery, has become increasingly more active. He spoke to us about tracking his activity level over the next months/year, so that he can follow his progress with playing sports and exercising. More to come on his results. Everyone reacts differently to surgery, but it is always helpful for others contemplating surgery to follow someone during their recovery and experience their improvements.   

Here’s Joel’s story:

Joel: “I had a kyphosis curve (you can see it on the screen in the video) at 75 degrees. I was in a lot of pain and wasn’t able to play any sports, lift any weights, exercise or do any of the things I wanted to do. So, I gained a lot of weight. And so I had the surgery done and lost most of it simply by walking and being able to walk. I’m really thankful to Dr. Hey, his staff, all the nurses over at Duke Raleigh, and everyone that helped take care of me. I am extremely grateful and will forever be grateful for everything that has happened to me.”

Joel’s mother: “And I would like to thank the Hey clinic and the staff over at Duke Raleigh Medical for the care they gave my son. He is doing extremely well. And I would like to thank the Lord Jesus Christ for bringing us through this hill in our life. “

Rachel’s creative way of thanking everyone at the Hey Clinic. She is a very skilled artist!

 

And a note from Morgan:

“During one of the scariest days of my life, I took a chance on Google to help me find a doctor that could help fix my scoliosis. Thankfully, I was led to your website. Since our first meeting in November, I have thanked God for sending me to you. What was, hands down, the most serious procedure I have ever underwent was mad peaceful by knowing that first and foremost you were working with God. I cannot thank you enough for everything you have done, and for everything you stand for. ‘And if our God is with us, then who could ever stop us? And if our God is with us, then what can stand against us?’ May God continue to Bless you!” - Morgan