I'm 14 years old and my best friend is going for an operation to straighten his spine. I'm really scared that it could go wrong and leave him paralyzed or worse. I'm not really sure what is happening but he said something about metal rods. Does anybody have any experience in this area of medicine, if so could you please tell me the liklehood of the operation going wrong?
2006-10-28 11:27:59 · 5 answers · asked by OrganizedConfusion 2 in Health ➔ Diseases & Conditions ➔ Other - Diseases
Yes I had the same surgery, and when you wake up they ask you to wiggle your toes to make sure everything is fine. There is a lot of recovery, but I'm sure your friend will be fine. They are metal rods that go on the spine that your friend will never feel. E-mail me if you have more questions chastity_83@msn.com
2006-10-28 11:32:19 · answer #1 · answered by angel_rat_83 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Relax. If he is having the surgery done by an experienced surgeon he should be fine. They have been inserting metal rods along spines for scoliosis for years and years. It will allow the spine to straighten out instead of being like an S. This will help him to live longer, and he won't suffer things like crushed kidneys. It will help his digestion as well. It will be painful for him and he will take some time to recover. Be a good friend and be patient with him as he recovers. Before he has surgery find out what kind of quiet games he likes to play, or artwork he likes to do. Then you could arrange to do these things with him as he is recovering.
There are risks involved in every single surgery. But this surgery is a well established surgery, and if the MD is comptent all should go fine.
Don't worry, be concerned and do pray for him.
2006-10-28 11:34:53 · answer #2 · answered by Tempest88 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm not really sure about the mechanics of the operation, but my ex-boyfriend had scoliosis. He just had the same surgery about four months ago. I think he was scared about it, but he's fine now. He's able to make jokes like "at least I'm 2 inches taller!" Again, I don't know exactly how everything works, but I would place some confidence in modern medicene and - if you're religious - a little bit of prayer.
2006-10-28 11:37:09 · answer #3 · answered by sarah belle 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
my sister had spinal fusion 3 summers ago... it was very painful for her at first but they gave her plenty of pain meds.. they used metal rods and fused parts of her spine by putting bone chips between vertebre...
if your friend is getting surgery, he, like my sister, probalby has a severe case of scoliosis. as it gets worse it causes a lot of pain and causes people to be hunched over or to the side.
the surgery is going to help your friend lead a normal, healthy life. when he is recovered, he will have really good posture and might not be able to bend as much as he could before. my sister has some places on her bakc and torso that are still numb from the surgery, but she is fine.
so, even though it is ok to worry about your friend, you need to remember that this is helping him.
take care
2006-10-28 11:48:34 · answer #4 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My granddaughter had a similar surgery for a curved spine about two years ago and she is doing fine.Think positively about your friend.
2006-10-28 11:38:04 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋