10 replies to this topic

[brockit79]

Hi,

OK, so my story goes something like; I fell July10 from a window whilst being reckless on annual leave; I broke my back smashed my skull and spent 2 months in ITU and HDU narrowly escaped the reaper, so I'm told. Got to a spinal unit which believes that conservative management i.e no surgery is the best course of action. I have a kyphosis at the T8 level and almost complete compression of my spinal cord. Despite telling my consultant and medical staff of the agony I was in, I was told "I'm sorry nothing can be done" without so much as a CT scan or MRI. The spinal unit I was transferred to did not even give me an MRI scan until I'd been discharged from hospital!

18 months down the line and during my 2nd opinion at a separate hospital for the treatment of my pain; I have been told by a radiologist that a facet joint looks like it may be unstable therefore I had anaesthetic and steroid injected in to the joint as a diagnostic; I had a follow up appointment with the surgeon who said he thinks the joint IS stable but as I responded well to the anaesthetic he would not recommend correcting the kyphosis.

Instead said surgeon recommended denervation of my T8 facet joint. I was hoping that they would correct my kyphoses and I am not completely convinced that my spine is stable. I want to take part in sporting activities yet my pain is debilitating. Whilst I believe that singeing away my nerves in the facet joint will work for the pain, I am worried that it will mask pain IF my joint IS in fact unstable. Said surgeon also said that if it doesn't work he will reconsider my case.

I have a few questions: Has anyone else here got kyphosis, does pain limit your activities? has anyone else had it corrected surgically? Has anyone had denervation of a facet joint and what are your experiences of this procedure?

The surgeon I saw, whilst not condemning the way things are done at my original SU (pah, of course), said that he is not used to looking at kyphotic joints as their way is to fix them as soon as possible. This kind of thing should be standard! don't you think? I have never felt the effects of post code lottery in healthcare before but I believe this is a prime example and I am pissed big style.

So is it worth trying to get my kyphotic joint repositioned and pinned privately?

The good thing is that I think/hope this denervation will work well for me because I responded so well to the anaesthetic injection but will is mask if there is a bigger problem?

Sorry for long post, I'm pretty upset and frustrated and I can't get out and do anything physical or independently so all I can do is read and write to get it out of my system.

Thanks for reading,
Broc

[brockit79]

anyone? please?

[Zack]

Brockit79,

I don't have any clue what the Kyphosis joint is. I know I will be reading about it on google again, trying to understand.

Try to stay strong! Know we care, and will keep you in our Prayers!

[davjed]

kyphosis is an exaggeration of the thoracic curvature of the spine (humpback), lordosis is an exaggeration of the lumbar curvature (swayback).

[Zack]

Thanks Davjed,

I read a whole article I googled on it. Wishing I could do more they just Pray!
I needed to know what I'm praying for. I get detailed with my Prayers!

[brockit79]

davjed, on 16 December 2011 - 03:48 AM, said:

kyphosis is an exaggeration of the thoracic curvature of the spine (humpback), lordosis is an exaggeration of the lumbar curvature (swayback).

Zack, on 16 December 2011 - 04:10 AM, said:

Thanks Davjed,

I read a whole article I googled on it. Wishing I could do more they just Pray!
I needed to know what I'm praying for. I get detailed with my Prayers!

My kyphosis is an exaggerated curve in the spine from trauma, as in the bones/vertebrae have fused naturally in a V position. My original SU believes that by using spinal boards the deformity is best treated this way to avoid surgery. Boils down to funding.

I currently stand for an hour a day to lengthen my back, I lie on my front to do back extensions but the V shape will not correct itself. It is my view that surgery will prevent the hunchback shape and problems associated with it.

1stly I have to try this denervation procedure as I have to get out of pain (cautersing the nerve endings in the facet joint). Has anyone had this?

Broc

[Tetracyclone]

Sorry, but this is largely unknown in my readings on the site. Suggest you go over to CureCare and address your question directly to Dr. Wise Young. He generally answers within a week or so. Good guy who know a lot.

[brockit79]

Tetracyclone, on 16 December 2011 - 10:17 AM, said:

Sorry, but this is largely unknown in my readings on the site. Suggest you go over to CureCare and address your question directly to Dr. Wise Young. He generally answers within a week or so. Good guy who know a lot.

Thank you Tetracyclone, I will. to add thank you Zack and Davjed too!

[lonebobseytwin]

I think the denervation they are talking about might be what my doctor calls a Radiofrequency Nerve block. It's a semi-surgical procedure done while your awake or in my case mildly sedated. Where they take two thin flexible needles and inject medication in between the facet joints and then take the second needle which has a kind of laser on the end which microwaves the nerve and baisicly kills it off for a time sometimes permanatly if it does not grow back. It helps with pain and pressure, and keeps the nerves from shooting out extra pain which it normally does when you've got SCI or an injury in that area. I actually got the feeling back in my arm and leg thanks to these procedures.

I've had probably 15 of these procedures on almost every section of my back, neck, thoracic area, lumbar, cervical regions. I think they help so much! I've actually had improvement in the right side of my neck to the point that we may not have to do another one because the nerves are not growing back which is fantastic news for me. Just had the right side done on friday.

I hope this helps!

If you have any other questions let me know!

[brockit79]

lonebobseytwin, on 09 January 2012 - 08:30 AM, said:

I think the denervation they are talking about might be what my doctor calls a Radiofrequency Nerve block. It's a semi-surgical procedure done while your awake or in my case mildly sedated. Where they take two thin flexible needles and inject medication in between the facet joints and then take the second needle which has a kind of laser on the end which microwaves the nerve and baisicly kills it off for a time sometimes permanatly if it does not grow back. It helps with pain and pressure, and keeps the nerves from shooting out extra pain which it normally does when you've got SCI or an injury in that area. I actually got the feeling back in my arm and leg thanks to these procedures.

I've had probably 15 of these procedures on almost every section of my back, neck, thoracic area, lumbar, cervical regions. I think they help so much! I've actually had improvement in the right side of my neck to the point that we may not have to do another one because the nerves are not growing back which is fantastic news for me. Just had the right side done on friday.

I hope this helps!

If you have any other questions let me know!

Wow, thanks for sharing! Yes this is the procedure; I am happy to hear that it works for you! I long to be pain free and since my post I've read some positive stuff re the procedure and I am looking forward to it, but to hear that you have some reversal of SCI symptoms and got improvement is really great.

Thank you I will for sure contact you and it has def helped

Broc

[lonebobseytwin]

You welcome! I'm glad I could help you out.

I had a similar hospital situation after I was injured although mine weren't as severe I don't understand how a hospital can make a decision to not MRI a person who has has a terrible fall and just let them walk out without bothering to look at anything not even an X-RAY.
I know what you mean when you get locked into that space where they can't or won't do surgery.
Everything I've learned is that is really about finding the right doctor willing to do what they can. I hate to call it doctor shopping but I feel like evertime I see a new one I need to harshly interview them. haha

I went two year without so much as pain meds or even a diagnosis. But I got lucky and found a fantastic pain care doc who's worked wonders with these procedures.

So hopefully they can help you soon!