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T10 to Pelvis Fusion. Experience, Comments Appreciated
I would like to hear from others who had a, or something like a, T10 to ilium fusion with multiple interbody support. How long was the surgery? What is a brief description of the surgery? How long was the hospital stay? Were the results what you expected? How long before you were up and walking as much as you were before the procedure? Did the procedure improve the length of time you can walk? Were you offered any other possible procedures? Any other thoughts/comments?
I have been evaluated and found to have severe Degenerative Disk disease, progressive kyphotic deformity in my lumbar spine, and significant sagittal balance deformity due to a complete loss of lumbar lordosis. This results in my inability to maintain normal posture. In 2018 I had an L5-S1 ALIF for lumbar stenosis, sciatic pain, and a left-sided foot drop. This procedure improved my sciatic pain significantly; however, it did not improve my left-sided foot drop. I spent one day in the hospital. I wear an AFO on my left foot and ankle, an LSO brace, and use walking sticks. I do not have radicular or myelopathic symptoms at present.
I often must use my hands and available furniture when ambulating to keep from stumbling and/or to straighten up my posture. I cannot maintain an upright posture without assistance for more than a few moments. My most comfortable position is while pushing a grocery store cart. I am relatively asymptomatic at rest. I can lay flat without pain or difficulty. I have consulted with several spine surgeons who have discussed thoracolumbar corrective surgery that would include multiple interbody support and fusion from my thoracic spine down to my pelvis. However, one surgeon opines that the risks of the surgery would likely outweigh any potential benefit. Another surgeon recommends the surgery, which has a high probability of improving my quality of life.
Imaging and Findings
GENERAL: The patient is a male in no acute distress. He ambulates with the use of bilateral walking sticks.
BP 129/70 | Pulse 64 | Temp 36.4 °C (Temporal) | Ht 6' (1.829 m) | Wt 83.4 kg (183 lb 12.8 oz) | SpO2 100% | BMI 24.93 kg/m²
FINDINGS:
Alignment: Rightward lumbar spine curvature measuring 9 degrees from L2-L4. 4 degree leftward thoracolumbar spine curvature measured from T12-L2.
Coronal balance: C7 is 3.1 cm to the left of S1 (normal less than 3 cm).
Thoracic kyphosis angle: 10 degrees (normal range 20-50 degrees)
Lumbar lordosis angle: 19 degrees (normal range 20-60 degrees)
lumbar kyphosis 2 degrees
Sagittal vertical axis: 2.2 cm (normal range -2 - +2 cm)
Pelvic incidence: 64 degrees
Pelvic incidence - lumbar lordosis: 45 degrees (normal less than 10 degrees)
Pelvic tilt: 39 degrees (normal less than 20 degrees).
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Feb 4th fusion and almost to 6 months
Hello! I just read your post. Did you have the surgery? I have a T 10-Pelvis, 8 level fusion scheduled for October with a surgeon at New York Presbyterian Spine with an Orhtopedic Surgeon who uses a robotic arm to assist. He will also perform a Posterior Column Osteotomy.
My scoliosis curve is now 47 degrees and my L1-5 have basically disintegrated. The idea of this kind of surgery is frightening and nothing I would've considered, except the state of my body is bad and only getting worse. Thxs!
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1 ReactionI am 6 months out post surgery.. fusion T12-S2. Your scoliosis and disk problems sound much worse than mine. 47 degrees is pretty high.
boy , I feel for you. A lot going on. I kept talking to people and surgeons until I felt comfortable with my decision.
I postponed my surgery… cause I felt i still had too much to lose if the surgery wasn’t successful. A year later, I decided that, that is was time as my quality of life had finally tipped the scale to having the surgery.
I would seek out another opinion… perhaps Mayo? If one is definitely opposed to surgery and one is ready to go ahead… perhaps a third party?
Take someone with you to make sure you catch all the details.
good luck.. I am rooting for you!
Tam
Hello Mbessie and Others,
I have not had the surgery. My orthopedic surgeon believes there is something else happening with me - Parkinson's, or Muscular dystrophy, or Camptocormia. I have completed the tests, genetic testing, and more imaging. I will meet with him later in August to discuss his conclusions and recommendations. So far, he has been very dismissive of the surgery whenever I have mentioned it. He says it's a significant surgery with numerous potential negative outcomes and consequences.
I wish you the best outcome possible.
I'm scheduled to have this.
You are absolutely right to take someone with you. I had absolutely nobody to take with me and I'm so confused. I have my assessment but I don't understand it and I feel like an idiot to ask the surgeon to explain it again. I live alone and have complete foot drop as well. I just know he said my foot drop is chronic. This is for the pain from everything else done to my back. How do I know to what degree my scoliosis is? I just had a hip replacement two months ago that dislocated the following week with the socket breaking off in my hip and dislocated again. I'm still recovering from it for that reason.
Anyway do you regret getting it done? I am in just constant pain and can't walk without assistance so I have no choice. In fact just sitting in the chair for long is painful.63 M
What am I in for? Thank you.
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2 Reactionssassytwo, great news. Continued success
That’s great! Gives me some encouragement. I’m supposed to have a T 10 to pelvis fusion but I’m extremely concerned about loss of mobility post surgery specifically how far I can bend over as in tying my shoes etc. I’m still very active and I don’t want to feel immobilized. Any info would be much appreciated!
Hello
I had a fusion from T 12-S2 7 months ago. It is difficult to tie shoes and put on socks. I also have a knee replacement that further hinders me. I think this will improve slightly as I am allowed to bend and twist. However, I can walk 3plus miles, tread water for 30/40 minutes, and recently began riding my bike approximately 40 miles a week. I was an avid bike rider pre surgery, but will probably get a new hybrid bike with straight handel bars