Anterior-Posterior Approach For Scoliosis

[Dwiggie]

Hi;
Just wondering if anyone has had their scoliosis corrected using the anterior-posterior approach?
I am considering this surgery, and although my ortho doc is one of the best in So. Calif, he has not gone into detail about what will happen after surgery.
I have had many other ortho surgeries, but I am not a young kid anymore (56) and a two day surgery scares me to death.
I would like to hear about outcomes from this surgery good or bad, as well as what I can expect for the recovery period.
If any replies are too long for this forum, please feel free to e-mail me at dwiggietoo@cox.net.
I would really appreciate hearing from anyone who has gone through this surgery.
Thank you. :confused:

[GJZH]

Dwiggie,

I had an anterior/posterior two day surgery last April...It was a sixteen hour surgery done over two days. The anterior portion was done on a Monday... and the posterior was done on Wednesday. I was fused from L1 to S1 and had eight cages placed in the front with rods and screws in the back. I have three rods in the back and a large screw into the pelvis...I have pelvis fixation as well. I think there are thirteen screws in the back...I would have to look at my ex-rays again...They had to remove a rib to get to L1. It was that or crack my chest open...I was relieved to lose the rib.

I have not gotten the relief from this surgery that I thought I would. I am still in considerable pain, but this was a large surgery. My surgeon told me it could take a year to two years to heal. I still have numbness and considerable leg and lower back pain. I cannot walk long distances or stand for long periods of time. I walk with a cane and am looking for a scooter for long distance walking. I also have a cervical fusion and now fear the cervical discs are acting up again. I have pain down the shoulders into the arms, but also have shoulder rotator cuff tears...They are now trying to sort all of this out...It is never ending..