Extreme Back Surgery: X-Ray Images & Recovery

  • Thread starter Ivan Seeking
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In summary, my mother had several surgeries to try and relieve her pain from a degenerative condition in her back. While the pain has been reduced, she still has a long way to go before she is completely healed.
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Ivan Seeking
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I thought that some here might find this interesting. These are X-Rays of my mother's back. You can see the cage used to replace the support provided by several vertebrae which to a large extent have been cut away. Also seen is the electrical stimulator implant that helps to block the pain. The electrodes are not in place at this time. She has been in moderate to severe pain for two years, and what you see is result of the fifth or sixth surgery I think... this one involved three surgeries over three days. It was so serious that she had one of the nation's leading neurosurgeons, and the chief of staff of a world class department at a major research hospital, as her personal physicians. It became a case for the books. Presently we are hopeful that she is on the road to recovery - reduced levels of morphine with limited mobility. As you can imagine, at over seventy years of age, she has been through hell. Note also the artificial hip seen below the cage.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/3158/xray1aze3.jpg [Broken]
http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/6406/xray2avb3.jpg [Broken]
 
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Ouch! It is amazing what medical science can do these days. My brother (48) has two titanium inserts in his spinal column to prevent further disintegration of two vertebrae, and that has greatly reduced his pain and numbness.
 
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That's beautiful work, lumbar cages work as well as bone-graph implants. The debate on how well either of these work, is still open ended. But what I have noticed, the better the surgeon is with their operative techniques, the better success rate. Looking post-mortem, you can almost tell where and by whom, the operation was was performed.
Good to hear she had the best, I hope it makes her more comfortable.
 
  • #4
hypatia said:
That's beautiful work, lumbar cages work as well as bone-graph implants. The debate on how well either of these work, is still open ended. But what I have noticed, the better the surgeon is with their operative techniques, the better success rate. Looking post-mortem, you can almost tell where and by whom, the operation was was performed.
Good to hear she had the best, I hope it makes her more comfortable.

Oddly enough, we were lucky that she was such a severe and unusual case. This finally allowed a fast track to the best of the best. Most people would never have access to this level of care. It is slow going, but some three months after the surgeries she seems to be improving significantly. She is certainly far better off than before.

The decision was made by a board of surgeons and other specialists, and the only nay vote was from the surgeon who would do the surgery. But this was offered as the last and only option to a life in bed while taking as much morphine as she could tolerate, which still could not control the pain. After two years of this she was already sliding downhill fast, and in fact it was a life or death situation.

It was suggested that we might hope for 30-50% relief of the pain, and that she might regain the use of her right leg, which she has. She only has limited use of her left leg from an earlier failed surgery, but she can manage with a walker, or when she is stronger, perhaps she could manage with a cane. It looks like we might even hope for more like 80% pain relief at this point. So, all in all, it looks like she might have some degree of a life again. So for our family this certainly qualifies as a miracle of modern medicine in a very real sense. And I will tell you, I can complain about my mother all day, but she is the strongest person I have ever met. In her situation, I would have jumped out of a hospital window by now. It doesn't get much worse than this.
 
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1. What is extreme back surgery?

Extreme back surgery is a highly invasive and complex surgical procedure that involves making significant changes to the spine in order to correct a serious spinal condition or injury. It may involve fusing vertebrae, removing damaged discs, or inserting metal rods, screws, or other devices to stabilize the spine.

2. How are X-ray images used in extreme back surgery?

X-ray images are used in extreme back surgery to provide a visual map of the spine and surrounding structures. They help the surgeon to plan the surgery, identify the exact location and severity of the spinal issue, and guide them during the procedure to ensure precision and accuracy.

3. What can I expect during recovery from extreme back surgery?

Recovery from extreme back surgery can vary greatly depending on the specific procedure and individual factors. Generally, patients can expect to experience pain, discomfort, and limited mobility for several weeks or months following the surgery. Physical therapy and pain management may also be necessary during the recovery period.

4. Are there risks associated with extreme back surgery?

As with any surgery, there are potential risks and complications associated with extreme back surgery. These may include infection, bleeding, nerve damage, and anesthesia-related complications. It is important to discuss these potential risks with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure.

5. How long does it take to fully recover from extreme back surgery?

The recovery time for extreme back surgery can vary greatly depending on the individual and the specific procedure. In some cases, it may take several months to fully recover and resume normal activities. It is important to follow your surgeon's post-operative instructions and attend all follow-up appointments to ensure a successful recovery.

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