Anyone have flat back syndrome?

Posted by gratefulnhopeful @gratefulnhopeful, Aug 20, 2024

Curious to see if anyone has flat back syndrome? Sometimes feels like my body is trying to crush me from this

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Osteoporosis & Bone Health Support Group.

John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Aug 21, 2024

Hi @gratefulnhopeful, Thank you for starting this discussion. I think you may have given me a new condition for something I have been experiencing since my mid fifties (I'm 81). That's when my wife told me I walk like an old man leaning forward. I thought I had a condition similar to bent spine syndrome (camptocormia) but flat back syndrome sounds more like what I have after reading a little about it. I don't have real pain in my lower back but I've always felt this kind of pressure that is hard for me to explain which makes it hard for me to walk any distances without stopping to rest. Trekking poles have helped me walk better upright. I think I might discuss this with my PCP and see if I can get some PT to learn some new exercises to go with the ones I'm currently doing.

There have been a few discussions and member posts that have mentioned flat back syndrome - https://connect.mayoclinic.org/search/discussions/?search=flat%20back%20syndrome.

Here's an article with some suggestions if you haven't already seen it.
-- Flatback syndrome: Symptoms, treatment and causes:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/flatback-syndrome

donnad1 | @donnad1 | Jan 5 5:30pm

YES
I had Harrington rod fusion surgery in 1981 at 14 for scoliosis.
Worse decision was to have corrective surgery because at 41, I lost my career due to the onset of severe Flatback syndrome .

I have suffered through innumerable injections, nerve ablations trigger points , saddle blocks to no avail to help with the severe pain
I have to sleep since 2009 in a v shaped position in a chair. I can't lay on my back or sides.
My SVA measurement is 22 . Which is basically almost unmeasurable at this point because it's greater than room to measure on xrys.
I didn't know I was getting a NEW deformity cause by the scoliosis surgery which flattened my lumbar curve.
I have all my original hardware in my spine and now I have osteoporosis!
I pray I don't get vertebrae fractures because the steel rods could shift and paralyze me .

Every one who had Harrington rod surgery for scoliosis will develop flatback if they were fused to L4.

MANY sued the manufacture of rods but I never knew that I could sue.
I was earning 6 figures when I could no logner stand erect at all and had to stop working in sales.

Searing pain is a daily thing.
Who is ready to retire at 41?! My best earning years were stolen!

I was never told to be on lookout for difficulty standing erect or I would have seen a osteo Dr ASAP.

I've had 5 surgical evaluations all say a pedicle subtraction osteotomy.
But I'm not a candidate for surgery because I have osteoporosis.!
So they said take prolia for 18 most then see.

Haha! Well medicare doesn't cover all of the cost and I would have to $968 a month per shot for 18 months.!
Considering I had to go on social security at 41 yrs old I barely get 2k a month on disability and I'm unmarried no kids and no ability to work since 2009.

So Where's the money for osteoporosis shots going to come from?!

I HATE MY LIFE, MY BODY, MY LOT ,THE SURGEON Who DID THIS.
They scared my Mom into the surgery saying I'd be hunchback by 25 and dead.

Well I'm developing KYPHOSIS ON TOP OF FLATBACK AND SCOLIOSIS. So I AM becoming HUNCHBACK AFTER all ANYWAYS!!!!
I'm homebound , can't walk any distance at all, don't have peers or friends any more and I would love to die and be done with this tortuous life.
As a Christian it's tested my faith. I know God's got me but still it's a living battle to just wake up and move each day.

sharon31 | @sharon31 | Jan 6 12:45pm

In reply to @donnad1 "YES I had Harrington rod fusion surgery in 1981 at 14 for scoliosis. Worse decision was..." + (show)

@donnad1