To complete the Upright MRI scanner story

Derek
I hope that your recuperation is swift and complete. That sounds like a major bit of work. And air travel will never be the same - those metal detectors will go bonkers!

Derek,

Sounds like you could connect yourself to a tuner and get some good reception! I hope you get better. Please do write all the grizzly details - I think stuff like this is totally fascinating.

All the best,

A

Derek

Any chance of some pictures?

Speedy recovery Derek.

Beano

Sorry no pictures - I did ask the surgeon to take one before closing up but he did not get a chance.

For an idea what happened - take a look at

http://www.atlanticspinespecialists.com/animations.html

then select Procedures and then select
Stenosis
then select
Lumbar Laminectomy, Fusion-Instrumented

However there was some changes - bone grafts were harvested from the vertebrae and not from a separate incision from the hip.

During the few weeks between the disgnosis and the op I did a pretty good Google of the term PLIF and came across a lot of details of the procedure. Including images of the patient lying face down over a cradle to expose the lower spine.

I have X-rays that show the screws and rods inplace and once I am bit more able I will see if I can post them for your continuing entertainment.

A few more bits of info - the op lasted 4 hours and I was in the recovery room for 2 hours.
I was standing and walking the day after. It will take about 6 weeks to get some flexibility

And airtravel - once I get mobile I will see if the local airport will take me thru the scanner to see if I need to carry a notice describing my contents (in about 10 languages)

Thanks for your greetings.

Speedy recovery to you, Derek.
I'm headed down a similar path one day, L5 problems.
For now I'm stretching and doing some exercises to keep the muscles strong in that area.
Funny thing, I still feel strong as an Ox but if I do much with my back I'm hurting for several days...
Excellent animated site, thanks for posting that. Disc replacement looks interesting but that deep abdominal work worries me too.
Its hell getting old.
Hang in there and good luck with airport security...
David

David
Thanks
Go to the Fonar site (see previous thread) and find out if an Upright Scanner is located near you, it could well be worth a scan while under load ie standing to help the surgeon determine what has to be done. Scanning costs in the US are a lot less than in the UK.

One of my discs was replaced by a cage, all done from the back.

Yes, having the spine under load during the scan makes a lot of sense to me.
Thankfully no one wants to operate on me yet (or they don't need to make a yacht payment...) but I will see if I can find one of those in the area next time I need an exam.
David

Very best wishes on your recuperation and a speedy recovery, Derek

Thanks Jon, I will do my best <g>

BTW I was a field engineer for GE Medical Systems back in the middle 1980s and was one of the first to work with GE's MRI systems of the day. Facinating technology then and still is.
When I had my MRI for my L5 problem I didn't want to get "launched" in the missile tube of the junker they had at the local hospital so I opted for one of Toshiba's open MRI systems. The images were not as good as an open system (from what I could tell, and they gave me a copy of the film), but enough for my diagnosis.
Funny, the tech running the machine had been around the block a few times and it turned out we knew some of the same people from GE's early MRI days. I was in Chicago at the time and she was in Cincinnati. Small world for sure.
David

Discs replaced by a "cage". I am intrigued. Really, any chance of some pictures?

Deane
This web site talks of cages in the spine.

website with cages

as with all stuff on the Web do not suspend disbelief

This site is a product catalog for spinal spare parts

spinal spares

Hope the above helps - on my X Ray I can see where the device has been fitted however I cannot tell what type has been fitted. (I was not in a fit state to observe what was fitted <g>.

I have obtained all the information just by Googling on PLIF and then following the links. I did want to find out costings for the bits as I was told that they make up a significant proportion of the costs, but so far I have not come across a price list.

The hospital was very reassuring that would have plenty of components available so that would be no need to rush down to B&Q to get a few extra screws <G>

B&Q - a shop specialising in do it your self tools and components.

David,

The Radiologist doing my scan was quite impressed with the image detail that is obtained from the Fonar. I got the results in Dicom image format which I use Osirix to view the images - this gives the ability to see the area rotated in 3 D as well as seeing multiple sets of images series as a movie going down the examination site.

Amazing how far we've come in imaging technology in the last 30 years. More to come as long as companies and universities have the money to research and patients can pay.
Sounds like you got the best care possible and I will be seeking the Fonar next time I need low back series.
David