Page 1 - Major Back Surgery Was A Miracle
The Scoliosis Research Society is a professional organization, made up of physicians and allied health personnel. Our primary focus is on providing continuing medical education for health care professionals and on funding/supporting research in spinal deformities. Founded in 1966, the SRS has gained recognition as one of the world's premier spine societies. Strict membership criteria ensure that the individual Fellows support that commitment. Current membership includes 751 of the world's leading spine surgeons as well as some researchers, physician assistants and orthotists who are involved in research and treatment of spinal deformities. Our doctor, Ram Mudiyam, is a Fellow in the Scoliosis Research Society.
Status/Progress
- November 3, 2003 - Entered hospital for 7 hours surgery called Anterior fusion.
- November 4, 2003 - ICU with a lot of pain.... no big surprise!
- November 5, 2003 - Remains in ICU, coherent but sleepy
- November 6, 2003 - Moved from ICU to Room 127A
- November 7-9, 2003 - Recovery, clear fluids only! Gets up every day for a short assisted walk!
- November 10, 2003, Posterior fusion accomplished during an 11 hour operation!
- November 11, 2003 - ICU all day, awake and alert. Sits on side of bed for 45 minutes
- November 12, 2003 - Walks in ICU in the morning and moves to regular room in the afternoon. Walks a couple of hundred feet.
- November 13, 2003 - Most of intravenous tubes removed.
- Home of the 17th.. see the results! Anterior and Posterior Fusion with Scoliosis correction!!
Some special cases of spinal deformity require both an anterior (front) and posterior (back) operation. Usually these can be done on the same day, but sometimes must be done at separate operations spaced 1-2 weeks apart.
Anterior Fusion (3rd of November)is used in some special instances of idiopathic scoliosis, and commonly in congenital scoliosis, kyphosis, or myelomeningocele. An incision is made along a rib and/or down the front of the abdomen to obtain access to the front of the spine. Bone graft from the hip, rib or bone bank is used for the fusion. Screws and washers attached to a rod may be used to straighten the spine. Fusions of this type are called Zielke or TSRH anterior fusions and usually require a postoperative brace. They replaced 8 discs from T4 to L1 in a 7 hour operation!
Posterior Scoliosis Correction (10th of November) with instrumentation is the most common operation done for idiopathic scoliosis. In the posterior fusion the spine is operated on from behind with an incision straight down the back. Various types of rods, hooks, wires or screws are used to partially straighten the spine and hold it fast while the bone fusion occurs. Operations are often named after the surgeons who designed the instruments such as Harrington, Luque, Cotrel-Dubousset (C-D), TSRH, and Drummond. For most of these operations on idiopathic scoliosis, no brace or cast is used postoperatively. In congenital scoliosis or spondylolisthesis the posterior fusion is usually done without instrumentation, and a cast or brace is needed postoperatively. The added instrumentation from T4 to S1. It is now years later and Sue and I ballroom dance and play golf three times a week! What a great result from this surgery!