Due to my kyphosis I had a hump in my back that was getting worse. Back in high school I wore a back brace during my sophomore year for 23 hours a day in hopes of correcting the curvature. At that point my curve was at 57 degrees. Normal curvature of the spine in the thoracic region is 30 - 40 degrees. The back brace corrected the curve to 52 degrees.
Earlier this year, Keri and I went to my spine doctor to see how severe the curve had progressed. It had gone from 52 degrees to 75 degrees. My doctor stated that it wasn't a matter of if I would need surgery, but when. We opted for earlier since I'm young and we don't have any children. The following are pictures from the surgery and recovery. Notice the curvature in my back before surgery compared to post surgery!
Getting prepped for surgery!
On my happy drugs! No worry in world.
Yep, all that was for my poor back!
Prepping for surgery in the OR.
My spinal surgeon and his resident.
Sewing up my back. Ouch!
The morning after surgery. I was up and walking!
Look at the new and improved Steven!
I can bend over farther than this now; however I was still quite stiff when this photo was taken.
I've achieved "rock star" status with my group of 7th grade boys that I mentor at church. The first week they thought my scar was so cool that they brought 3 friends to group the next week just to check out the "massive, most amazing, incredible" scar that they had ever seen!
2 comments:
How did you get those cool pictures of yourself in the OR? Did Keri get to be in there?
The doctor took them! I begged him to take video footage or some up close shots. He thought I was crazy and thought he'd give me these to make me happy! I think they are pretty cool.
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