From:      bounce-scoliosis
To:        scoliosis-digest@ai.mit.edu
Subject:   scoliosis V1 #308
Reply-To:  
Errors-To: bounce-scoliosis
Precedence: bulk


scoliosis                Saturday, 30 November 1996     Volume 01 : Number 308


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From: Rich Lethin <lethin@ai.mit.edu>
Date: Thu, 28 Nov 1996 23:31:17 -0500
Subject: Re: Post-fusion lower back pain and good experience with Physical Therapy

The exercise for pain in the lowest part of the back, slightly
off-center to the right, almost in the buttock.  No neurological
symptoms (tingling, etc.).  Pain worst when standing around or after
being seated at the computer all day.

1. Stand up.
2. Hands on hips.
3. Feet 1 foot apart.
4. Slowly and gently move the hips three inches to the right side.
5. Slowly and gently move the hips three inches to the left side.
6. Repeat 4 and 5 six times.

Do this every 20 minutes when seated at work, or when standing around.

Don't force anything, and don't do it if it hurts.

This mild stretch just acts to "flush" some of the pressure/force
building up and irritating the joint.

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From: sfitzrn@hevanet.com (Shirley Fitzgerald)
Date: Fri, 29 Nov 1996 09:23:20 -0800 (PST)
Subject: Re: Post-fusion lower back pain and good experience with Physical Therapy

Greetings (again) from Portland, OR:
	The mechanics of lower back pain and severe neck spasms following 
extensive spinal fusion seem quite clear to me after several successful 
demonstration/arguments for a variety of insurance and legal purposes.
	To explain, consider that the portion of the spine that has been 
fused is now rigid like a broomstick, the lowest portion of the spine 
which was not fused and the neck which was also not fused now must absorb 
all of the jolts/shocks/vibration which would normally be distributed 
equally over the entire healthy spine. A normal spine responds in a wave 
like manner to absorb and distribute such impacts. Mine, fused C7-L3, has 
a major disruption of that normal absorption which results in much more 
severe "whiplash" injuries from minimal impact in auto accidents, 
substantial muscle spasms in lower back and neck trying to lift heavy 
weights etc.
	I received a traditional fusion without rods or screws more than 
30 yrs. ago. I consider it successful as I am able to do most things with 
minimal pain, but I still have to remember that long soaks in the tub 
relax those tense muscles. My chiropractor does a great job as well. 
Considering the pain I might be in if I had not had the fusion, I 
definitely feel it was worth the year in body cast/seclusion etc.
	I am horrified to hear that more and more the trend has turned to 
placing foreign objects in fusions such as rods, screws etc. I just 
explained the mechanics of a normal traditional fusion, consider the 
stress on these various appliances....I have personally seen the damage 
to others from these rods, plates, screws etc. Initially they work well, 
but at some point the metal starts breaking the bones...I have seen the 
bent screws removed after they destroyed the entire bony vertebral bodies 
on patients. I know from personal experience that a year or so in bed can 
be very damaging to a teenager's social life, but in the long run I am 
glad I gave up my "social life" as opposed to giving up my older years to 
intractable pain. I have also worked at the pain clinics where they told 
friends with such appliances that there was NOTHING that could be done to 
help the pain after the disintegration of the bony structure. To watch a 
friend (deceased at age 43) in his final year unable to get enough 
morphine, methadone etc. because even under those conditions the doctors 
wouldn't prescribe it was probably my most difficult experience. Braces 
may destroy "social life" too, but at least there is life 30 and 40 years 
later that is worth living.
	I recognize that some of the major posters to this board have 
either had foreign objects placed in their own backs or backs of loved 
ones. I am aware that my views are not popular with insurance companies 
who not only do not want to compensate for initial hospitalization after 
surgery (a year in body cast is NOT cheap) or who do not want to 
compensate for pain/suffering in subsequent accidents (pre-existing 
condition does not eliminate their liability...."thin skulled victim" 
principle). I base my views on my experiences and the normal immune 
system function to reject all foreign bodies implanted (includes breast 
implants). While it is true that stainless steel takes far longer to 
"reject", it is none the less a foreign body subject to triggering a 
normal/natural immune response. A traditional fusion with time in body 
cast and bed to "solidify" does not use foreign materials. Obviously many 
people to do not explore the truly long term possibilities and most 
doctors seem caught up with the most recent techniques and/or insurance 
reimbursement schedules to explain normal/natural physiological functions 
to the patients prior to their surgical decisions.
	Please feel free to direct questions to me personally at:
	sfitzrn@hevanet.com

				Shirley



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End of scoliosis V1 #308
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