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Familiar with "TOPS" spine surgery?

Posted by libertyusa @libertyusa, Apr 18, 2025

It focuses on Stenosis and Spondylolesthesis which I have. I also have Scoliosis. I have a new Dr., well educated, who I do not think has
much surgery experience. But I am anxious to get going to fix
my problems. Have spent over a year on working on fixing my spine.
I am in the highest age category they will do (80). Am in good shape and basically very healthy.

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annie1 | @annie1 | 5 hours ago
In reply to @ou14mejc "@ldg001 Did your doctor actually tell you he could make your bones stronger in a month?..." + (show)
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@ldg001 Did your doctor actually tell you he could make your bones stronger in a month? I had to take daily shots for two years to increase my bone density. Also, I just had my consultation for TOPs and I was told people with osteoporosis are not candidates. The screws will not hold if the bones are too porous. The bone drug side effects are scary. I put off taking the medication until I had no other choice. I was on Forteo. I did not have major side effects and my osteoporosis improved significantly in my spine. I'm glad I finally agreed to take the treatment or I could not have surgery to fix my back.

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@ou14mejc
I always get the osteoporosis numbers confused so it's the higher numbers that are bad, like over 2.5 is bad. What were your numbers that they said you could have TOPS?

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ou14mejc | @ou14mejc | 1 hour ago
In reply to @annie1 "@ou14mejc I always get the osteoporosis numbers confused so it's the higher numbers that are bad,..." + (show)
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@ou14mejc
I always get the osteoporosis numbers confused so it's the higher numbers that are bad, like over 2.5 is bad. What were your numbers that they said you could have TOPS?

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@annie1 My neurosurgeon told me you needed a T-score less than -2.0. Mine is -1.3 and I was approved yesterday. Those numbers are standard deviations....The greater the negative number, the more severe the osteoporosis....so anything -2.0 or greater is a disqualifier, according to my surgeon. So to answer your question, positive numbers are good....it's the big negative numbers that are bad. Hope this helps.

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bussel | @bussel | 55 minutes ago
In reply to @annie1 "@ou14mejc I always get the osteoporosis numbers confused so it's the higher numbers that are bad,..." + (show)
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@ou14mejc
I always get the osteoporosis numbers confused so it's the higher numbers that are bad, like over 2.5 is bad. What were your numbers that they said you could have TOPS?

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@annie1 I was told that due to having 2 previous fusions I am not a candidate for TOPS.

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