Trying to care for my wife. She has severe scoliosis about 60 degrees on each side and twisted. Many joints and discs bad. Constant pain for years taking opiates, which do not help a lot. Most surgeons in our area will not operate on her as she is "too complicated". Cedars-Sinai said to do a 12 hr fusion up and down while UCLA said she will not tolerate recovery at 57 yr old and in bad shape.
Can anyone suggest hospitals and doctors that might give her an accurate plan to deal with her remaining years (She also has Hep C, other things). Even for the pain pump she was told by a few docs she is too difficult. They get all the money, then tell her "good luck" with no plan or alternatives.
I am exhausted caring for her (she does nothing around the home) and working full time, as I need a 2 level neck fusion myself.
Thanks (PS - We actually live in Ventura, about 60 miles from LA)
Can anyone suggest hospitals and doctors that might give her an accurate plan to deal with her remaining years (She also has Hep C, other things). Even for the pain pump she was told by a few docs she is too difficult. They get all the money, then tell her "good luck" with no plan or alternatives.
I am exhausted caring for her (she does nothing around the home) and working full time, as I need a 2 level neck fusion myself.
Thanks (PS - We actually live in Ventura, about 60 miles from LA)
My heart really goes out to you and I'm sorry to hear that you've had difficulty. The two hospitals I was going to recommend are ones you've already been to. Have you tried doing a search for doctor who specialize in scoliosis? I'm sorry to be unhelpful but unfortunately you've already been to the places I had in mind.
If UCLA or Cedars is the best, then I will take her back. They have many doctors and maybe seeing another one, plus it has been 2 yr since we went there.
I would like to ask the group... Could they be right? Maybe she is better off not going through the huge recovery of a complete fusion 12 hr operation (actually two 6 hr in 3 days). This way she will keep getting more bent but at least it is a know amount of pain for now.
Anyone who had major scoliosis surgery done in their 50's or later?
I would like to ask the group... Could they be right? Maybe she is better off not going through the huge recovery of a complete fusion 12 hr operation (actually two 6 hr in 3 days). This way she will keep getting more bent but at least it is a know amount of pain for now.
Anyone who had major scoliosis surgery done in their 50's or later?