I had a complete spinal revision from the very base of my spine to the neck, which is above the shoulders. I don't know the exact location letters or numbers. I had two surgeons do the surgery, a left handed neurosurgeon and a right handed orthopedic surgeon- Dr. Darrell Hanson here in Houston. Dr. Hanson only does scoliosis surgeries which can also include the neck. I had three curves that needed correction, and I now have a metal supported spine. I will upload photos at a later date. I was told right before the surgery that I could expect to have the spine only move by a 20% correction. I had a 74% curve on one side that caused the ribs to protrude to that side, then a 74% curve below my waist headed forward- which created a huge sway, and last a 60% curve in my upper back.
I exercised daily, using Pilates reformer in a class, I have a PT flatform that is low, and I used this daily with a Franklin ball ( green ball on Amazon) to stretch and relax all the back, neck, buttock muscles, etc.- a 20 minutes daily routine, which actually makes you feel much better! . When they measured my spine in my first follow up visit, my center back curve had moved 40% to 34! All the stretching and exercise really does make a difference. My surgery was two years ago this month and I am 75 years old! I spent two weeks in the hospital, I cannot take regular narcotics- so I was given Ketamine IG in the ICI and then just a fentanyl IV during the 12 days I was on the second IV. The fentanyl IV only last one hour but if you add the fentanyl patch you will be just fine. There is not the pain that you might be worried about. They might be cutting and reconnecting your nerves so your feeling will be less due to the nerve work. I have no feeling in the center of my back today, but I can feel pressure. Your body will change shape and be a bit thicker due to the installed metal. You can still wear the same size clothes. I went home after two weeks but needed round the clock care for the first seven days and then 12-hour care for another week. The out-of-pocket care cost me about 5500. I was told I would need a four-month recovery, but I went back to work after two and a half months. I am now planning to have the scoliosis corrected in my neck, where my neck will be fused. Also, after the surgery you can exercise again, and I started this home exercises, then moved to a trainer who gave me approved exercises. I am happy to answer any questions that you or others might have. I am so glad I finally had the surgery; I had been afraid and wearing this hot brace for years before the surgery. I also have had toes that keep curving, and now am having my third set of toe surgeries this time they have added screws in the toes so they will no longer curve! Does anyone else have an issue with the toes?