13 Level Fusion, MEB Supposedly getting on way; Couple of questions. (Jason)

moneyblind

moneyblind

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Hey all, been floating around here for almost a year on this issue; I had surgery in January; Fusion of 13 vertebrae's.

426265_3511273505587_973787801_n.jpg


I am worried about a couple of things. And maybe only jason can answer because this is soooooooo extensive!

1. How can I ensure a fair ROM measurement (I dont wanna get screwed over, because i have some awesome HIP flexion, from using my hips WAY more now;) I dont want him to say bend over, I bend with my hips and he say I have full ROM... Which is obvious I dont, I just want a fair reading.

2. I have 13 of 17 vertbrae "fused" or "ankylosed"; Thats 76.5%. Is this enough to constitute "Entire" ankylosing of the thoracolumbar spine?

3. When doing the ROM, do you bend and touch your toes (i cannot), or do they have you bend at the TRUE waist (belly button line). Again, I am just worried that my hip flexion will be used against me, even though the DOD instruction says not to use hip flexion.

Thanks All!

P.S. I dont mean to call on Jason directly, but this is a very different sort of spine issue, and nooone has been able to help me in the past. Thanks for the understanding.
 
moneyblind said:
Hey all, been floating around here for almost a year on this issue; I had surgery in January; Fusion of 13 vertebrae's.

426265_3511273505587_973787801_n.jpg


I am worried about a couple of things. And maybe only jason can answer because this is soooooooo extensive!

1. How can I ensure a fair ROM measurement (I dont wanna get screwed over, because i have some awesome HIP flexion, from using my hips WAY more now;) I dont want him to say bend over, I bend with my hips and he say I have full ROM... Which is obvious I dont, I just want a fair reading.

2. I have 13 of 17 vertbrae "fused" or "ankylosed"; Thats 76.5%. Is this enough to constitute "Entire" ankylosing of the thoracolumbar spine?

3. When doing the ROM, do you bend and touch your toes (i cannot), or do they have you bend at the TRUE waist (belly button line). Again, I am just worried that my hip flexion will be used against me, even though the DOD instruction says not to use hip flexion.

Thanks All!

P.S. I dont mean to call on Jason directly, but this is a very different sort of spine issue, and nooone has been able to help me in the past. Thanks for the understanding.
Click to expand...
When they check your ROM for your spine, they will measure your forward flexation by asking you to bend forward at the waist to the point of pain; do not go any further. You will be asked to bend forward three times each time stop at the point of pain.

Also, I wouldn't recommend taking pain meds before you go. There is actually a court case, can't recall the name, in which it was determined that you shouldn't be on pain meds when you do the ROM. Friend of mine shatterred four or five vertebrae in a vehicle rollover and received a small percentage because of the ROM; he was on painkillers at the time. Can't tell you anything about hips.
 
Thanks for the insight Robert, medically, the waist is bellybutton line, and the hips are what most people consider the "waist"; Do you know which they have you bend at? (I cannot bend at the belly button line, aka true waist)

and I am not on pain meds, nor have any pain (I dont push it at all either lol)
 
Looks like they have to exclude hip flexation:

i. Provide forward flexion of the thoracolumbar spine as a unit. Do not include hip flexion. (See Magee, Orthopedic Physical Assessment, Third Edition, 1997, W.B. Saunders Company, pages 374-75). Using a goniometer, measure and report the range of motion in degrees for forward flexion, extension, left lateral flexion, right lateral flexion, left lateral rotation and right lateral rotation. Generally, the normal ranges of motion for the thoracolumbar spine as a unit are as follows:

http://www.vba.va.gov/bln/21/benefits/exams/disexm53a.pdf
 
Shout out! I'm at Eglin, did you have surgery ion or off base? I am about to get surgery myself, on base Dr Says fusion off base says micro surgery. DR Tran a VA c&p Dr in navarre is very good from what I have hear from a friend that was just ret. Medically
 
Hey DFree! Yea, I knew his name (VA guy) but didnt know anything about him; Thanks for the heads up and its nice to hear that he is really good!

I had my surgery by Dr. E from niceville (had the surgery in twincities), AWESOME doc, thorough and all, I highly recommend him if you can get him; Recently had another Airman switch providers to him and get in months ahead of her old provider;
 
I have been seeing Manski in FWB and was forced to se Powell on base for a 2nd opinion...I will talk to my Pcm. Thanks good luck to you keep us up to date.
 
moneyblind said:
Hey all, been floating around here for almost a year on this issue; I had surgery in January; Fusion of 13 vertebrae's.

426265_3511273505587_973787801_n.jpg


I am worried about a couple of things. And maybe only jason can answer because this is soooooooo extensive!

1. How can I ensure a fair ROM measurement (I dont wanna get screwed over, because i have some awesome HIP flexion, from using my hips WAY more now;) I dont want him to say bend over, I bend with my hips and he say I have full ROM... Which is obvious I dont, I just want a fair reading.

2. I have 13 of 17 vertbrae "fused" or "ankylosed"; Thats 76.5%. Is this enough to constitute "Entire" ankylosing of the thoracolumbar spine?

3. When doing the ROM, do you bend and touch your toes (i cannot), or do they have you bend at the TRUE waist (belly button line). Again, I am just worried that my hip flexion will be used against me, even though the DOD instruction says not to use hip flexion.

Thanks All!

P.S. I dont mean to call on Jason directly, but this is a very different sort of spine issue, and nooone has been able to help me in the past. Thanks for the understanding.
Click to expand...


as far as entire anklyosis of the entire thoracolumbar spine.... I got a 50% rating for that and I just have pain and ROM issues. I had a spinal fusion at c-6 c-7 which was a seperate rating, but if you stop at the point of pain (the slightest bit) you will have no problem being rated good!!
 
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