Kickas.org Forums Treatments, Drugs and Alternatives Surgery Back surgery.

My spine has got a big twist to the left, and is making me hunch over as well. Last time I saw the surgeon (two years ago) he said he wouldn`t operate because it was `too dangerous` I`m thinking of going back to him again now, as it is much worse, but I`m scared he will just say `no` again.
In the booklet they give you about AS it says that surgery to staighten the spine is only an option when it becomes dangerous, i.e. if you are so bent over that you cannot lift your head to see across the road. Is this really true?
I`ve seen US websites where they are doing the operation on people at the stage I am now, and it makes me so jealous. Is it just the NHS trying to save money?
Any info much appreciated.
Kaz x

Hi Karen,

I have have a lot of surgery done on my back. They did tell me for my lower back that if I could see ahead of me and it was not a risk for me to cross the street on my own. That I would have to wait for surgery. But for me the pain was so bad being bent like I was the Doctor said that he would go ahead and book me for the surgery and off I went. But I was already bent down so far that I couldn't see more than about 18 inches or about half a meter in front of me.

John

Hi John, just wondering if the surgery itself helped the pain- I get a lot of pain in the hips and knees, and I always wondered if some of this was due to the curve of the back putting more strain on them, or if it was just the arthrightis?
I`m really rubbish about all the nuts and bolts of AS sorry.
Also- how long did it take to get over the ops? and did they straighten you up as in normal (whatever that is), or just enough to function without danger? The doctor said something about a metal rod in the spine to me, or somehow fusing something or other. My back has got a kind of `S` shape going on as well.
Afterwards was the pain better in all respects?
I realise this post is very boring to all the other Kick ASers who already know how this stuff works, so PM me if you`ve got a sec. Going to the doctor in a few days and don`t know what to say.
Kaz x

Hello Karen-Kaz-S**tbox.

Err I am english I live in Nottingham, i had huge surgery in 1994 to straighten me, i couldnt see across the road, no it doesnt change the pain is merely cosmetic although there are many improvements elsewhere, surgery is difficult ot get, it is 'elective' quote the patient charter at your doc and say you want surgery and expect that your request is properly processed.

I have much more on this if you want to pm me qith any questions, for there is far too much info to post on here. But the 'too dangerous' 'money saving' 'only if' platitudes are wrong. If you need it and want it you will get it
I did and wonderful it was too.

Hi Kaz,

I agree - back surgery these days is often treated as "elective surgery", b/c it's so expensive and the outcome is unpredictable!
I had my 1st back surgery on the Oz equivalent to the NHS in 1991 - the waiting-list was 18 months. My 2nd op was in Oct 2005 - this time I already had hospital insurance, fortunately, so got it done reasonably quickly. I met another lady who'd had the same op and had waited 5 YEARS to got though the public system!! She'd given up in the end and gone Private!

So, don't believe everything the docs tell you - you should be able to get the surgery done but you might have a long wait, or be prepared to pay!

Good luck! Please feel free to PM me too if I can help.

Sue

Hi. this is my first post,as I have only scanned the posts before. I too am a aussie. first diagnosed back in 87 thru an accident. whats involved with the surgery solution. I have had other complications like having a broken neck through being hit by a car, still in rehab only happened 18 months ago. regards terry

Hi Terry

Welcome to KA!

There are various different types of spinal surgery, depending on the particular probs specific to each patient, so it's a bit complicated to explain in just a couple of sentences......
I'm quite happy to try and answer any questions you may have tho.

Great to see another Aussie here! (Not that I'm saying it's great you have AS.... )

Don't forget to check out the Main Forum. You'll find heaps of useful info and helpful ppl there.

Good luck,

Sue (WA)

Thanks for replying to my question. I was just wondering as after my accident (broken neck) and being in a halo with the doctors saying that they had to line up my neck vertabre slightly forward it has increased the amount of curvature that I now have. Prior to the accident I coped with AS via diet, exercise and the occasional NSD. I have a pretty high pain threshold. I am currently on a large dose of pain management for the injuries recieved as my spinal cord was damaged also but with a great deal of effort and persistence I was able to walk unrestricted again. I maintain a strict regime of hydro and exercises but this week my old pain areas have flared. I have great difficulty identifying what is AS related and what is not as I have a perpetual headache 24/7.
Prior to finding this site I knew very little about AS and the treatments available as I had resigned myself with living with it and treating it myself.
Anyway thanks.
Terry

Hi TerenceP

Ref to your broken neck. I have an unstable neck and have had to wear a hard collar like you 24/7 and I am always scared that it will progress to your stage. when it first slipped ,back in 1982, I was told that I was very lucky not to have ended up as a paraplegic the fusing of my neck was ruled out .I was put into a hard collar and have worn them ever since and I am coping very well .
I do hope all goes well with you chin up always is what keeps us going.

Hey Kaz,
you may drop Brad, Wolverinefan, a note. He has had surgery to align his spine. He may be able to offer some advise.

Keep Kickin'AS
Chris