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Answers about Controversial Trends in Spine Care
Spine Health | Last Active: Jan 16, 2023 | Replies (35)Comment receiving replies
Hi, Jennifer! No, I don't think it was my age. The NYP surgeon should have used a better excuse (or a better messenger) than he only operates on spinal deformities! I've talked to a couple of surgeons so far and neither hesitated because of my age. I have no osteoporosis (except for one hip) and I passed the cardio tests and pulmonary function tests just fine for an 8-hour surgery. One surgeon also said he'd just operated on a 90-year-old. So, i don't think age was the disqualifier. I think he's looking for little kids in 3rd world countries that will get him publicity. Or maybe that will get publicity for the hospital. If that's what he's about, I can't change that. Yes, I'm still looking and waiting to hear from a prominent doc at Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. It's just that it's so far away and I have to do this ALONE! Strange you would mention an article about Sleep Number Beds. I just got off the internet from looking at the Temper-Pedic Luxe Breeze mattresses. It's a real investment at $5k+!! Sleep Number just worries me about the mechanical aspects of it. Anyway, surgery first! I really, really need to talk to post-op patients to find out what life will be like after the surgery and to find out how a person who lives alone can manage! I was in senior living for 30 years as a sales director and I do not want to have to move into assisted living for the rest of my life. I'm hoping I will be able to function independently enough to continue to live alone--even if it's in independent living in a senior living community. Not what I imagined retirement would be like, for sure. I worked 50 years! For this? Yikes. My neurologist was in favor of my waiting and not doing anything aggressive (i.e., surgery) for years because I think he felt it may never reach the point of being necessary. Now I'm not sure waiting was the best thing. I could have probably had the minimally-invasive procedure if I'd done it years ago. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. as they say. I didn't even know that alternative existed. I will check out your articles and thank you very much for caring and sharing this information.
Replies to "Hi, Jennifer! No, I don't think it was my age. The NYP surgeon should have used..."
In my experience with my parents, when they needed more care than we could provide after surgery because I was working at the time, they were put in a temporary rehabilitation until they could function independently. A social worker would assess the situation so don’t feel like you are completely alone. I live near NYC and my Dad had his hip replaced in HSS so I know They will provide this service for you and it’s covered by insurance.
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@stpchair Thank you. I'm glad I could help. I'm glad you are a healthy 73 year old so you must have made some good choices along the way! I am in my 60's and my surgery was a cervical fusion, and even with that, I needed help. I couldn't drive and was in a neck brace 3 months because I wanted a fusion without hardware which was a good choice for me. Scoliosis surgery would be a much more extensive surgery than mine, and you will need help during recovery. I'm glad you are independent and my 91 year old mom is also "independent" but needs help from family to get groceries and meds and for rides to her medical appointments. She does have osteoporosis and just had a compression fracture in her spine and is now in rehab until the end of this week. I am hoping she will be able to return to living with minimal help at home. She has some things that help like a floor to ceiling pole with "S" curves in it that she can hold when getting in and out of bed, and a special shower chair on wheels. Do you have family that can help you? You need someone to be with you for any surgery too because you will need help. I hadn't read all the discussion about mattresses, but since it was related to scoliosis, I thought it may help. I've never tried a Sleep Number bed, but yowza....5 grand? I'm still sleeping using extra pillows for support where I need it. What was the minimally invasive procedure that you didn't do years ago? Did your scoliosis progress after that?