My journey with a T11 to L4 spinal fusion - 40 degree scoliosis curve

@annie1
Hi Annie, I had surgery at Mayo Rochester last year. My surgeon was Dr. Jeremy Fogelson and I highly recommend him. He is excellent. My surgery was fron T10 to my pelvis.
Here is a link to his profile:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/biographies/fogelson-jeremy-l-m-d/bio-20055624!
I wish you all the best.
Nadine

@annie1
Hey Annie! Sorry for the late response but life has been busy for me the last couple months. I need to connect with a few people on this site to update!
I’m not sure about any restrictions regarding naming surgeons, but I have not had any problem recommending my surgeon who is absolutely amazing.
Dr. McClendon is at the Phoenix Arizona clinic and specializes in minimally invasive surgery. A surgery that would normally take two hours took him eight and the recovery is quicker. I had my 18 month follow up with him a couple weeks ago and he explained that by doing the minimally invasive for my T11 to L4 surgery. He did not destabilize my L4 to L5 which could have created problems in the future.
Many surgeons do not offer the minimally invasive surgery and I honestly don’t blame them based on how much more work is entailed. That being said, I cannot say enough wonderful things about Dr. McClendon’s work ethic and what a perfectionist he is.
I have seen your posts for months looking for people who have experience with surgeries who have osteoporosis. I want you to know you’re in my prayers. As for additional information, I also joined a few Facebook groups that share wonderful information. Just search spinal fusion and spine surgery, spine, surgery, osteoporosis, etc. and there are a lot of groups where people are sharing much more information.
I really hope this helps in someway and please feel free to direct message me or ask any questions that you might have!
Wishing the best for you,
Sherry

@karenoharmon
Hi Karen! I am so behind on responding to my friends here. I remember you reached out to me asking about the nerve pain that I have across my back that you’re also experiencing.
So we are going on about six weeks or so that I finally identified scar tissue is creating the problem. My physical therapist is digging deep along my incision line on both sides and wow, it has made such a difference. I can now feel my back better, the numbness is going away and that tingling burning prickling sensitivity is going away. When they stitch us back up, scar tissue is created. Everything I have read says you can break it free and regain normalcy. It’s not your main spinal column that’s being affected. It is pressure being put on the nerves at a much more superficial level.
I’ve have used a tens unit and of course still use ice and heat when I overexert my back, but it is wonderful to be breaking free the scar tissue.
Please let me know how you are doing!
Wishing you the best, Sherry

@sherrym25
Thank you. Well I have the appointment in Minnesota so I don't think I should switch it now to come to Arizona. But I remember when you recommended him a few months ago actually. I think I read on his profile that he was more focused on working with children but at any rate I'll see how the appointment goes in Minnesota with another surgeon at Mayo there. I do think there is restriction with naming surgeons unless it's a private chat but looks like it passed anyway. They're more stringent on Reddit where they actually banned me for a week for asking for a name of a surgeon. The other issue with me is that I have osteoporosis that can affect the bones fusing. I am on medication for the osteoporosis.

annie1 this is really a situation where you will have to trust your doctors. My surgeon discovered the osteoporosis while starting the process of planning for surgery. They referred me to an endocrinologist that got me started on medication. I took it for about 6 weeks prior to surgery, paused for 6 weeks after surgery, and started back. I’m praying and believing they were instruments in knitting my back together in the best possible way. Having the right mindset is 75% of the success rate. If you’ve done your due diligence in selecting the team that will treat your condition - trust them. Blessings!

Interested in how you are doing now? I'm due for similar surgery T10-Pelvic floor this spring. I've had 3 previous surgeries to correct stenosis and scoliosis here in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
At the moment I cannot walk or stand for any length of time. I'm exercising daily as well as on the treadmill to keep moving. It's a little scary when the surgeon says success rate is approximately 60-70%. I would rather take the chance at surgery, I'm an active young 79 year old, than to keep going through all of this pain. I'm having severe pain from the back, to sides and abdominal area as if someone is tightening a wire around the area. Any advice would be appreciated.

@glassart
Hi! Does your insurance cover you to come to the Mayo Clinic?
I know there are many wonderful surgeons and clinics around the world and I can only speak to my surgeon at the Phoenix Mayo Clinic. I am doing amazing. He completely fixed my spine and the only thing I’m dealing with now is scar tissue from the surgery. I had scoliosis and could not stand or sit for very long and I knew my life would end with nonstop pain, and in a wheelchair. That was what my deciding factor was for surgery.
I prayed about it and was led to the Phoenix Mayo Clinic.
I have seen people at all ages get surgery with different results because everyone has different health issues.
I will not sugarcoat the recovery. It is not easy.
But I would not do a single thing different if given the opportunity. I now have a future of almost pain-free life.
Please do not hesitate to reach out to me with questions. There are several others on this site that I’ve had recent surgeries like mine and I know they will step up and answer questions.
Wishing you the best, Sherry

I most definitely will need some information, I have been having the most
definitely crazy pain and surgeries, but will like to see you and some of
the people that you know.
My name is Guillermo Benavides ( GB ). That is what everyone calls me
just like GOOD BOY real good boy, just kidding bust GB .

Riding horses in my opinion is the best therapy for just about 100/💯 of anything, so let's stay in contact because I may be in need of the same surgery but later in Time.

Hi. I have compression fractures in L4 , L5 and L3. The neurosurgeon told me L4 is stable, L5 has 25% height and L3 is totally crushed. I’m going for kyphoplasty this Friday May 1, 2026 where the neurosurgeon makes a tiny incision in L3 then puts a balloon in and cement releases and then I will have some limited benefits heading bending over without pain because the referral took so long to get to him. HS anyone else had kyphoplasty? What is the down time?