BrittleBones

Just a quick history: I have osteoporosis and have experienced fractures at many different levels of my spine. Currently I am fused from about T3-S1 with fusion also of my SI joints. I've been having pain at about the level of mid spine between my shoulder blades and also pain in my lower back, pelvis, electrical shock-like pain at the base of my spine and going down my right leg. I have lost control of my bowels on 2 occasions and currently cannot really feel when my bladder is full.

After MRIs & CT scans my spine surgeon tells me that I have a fracture/collapse at T1-T3 and a collapse/fracture at T10. The T10 collapse is an old finding which up until now hadn't caused me any pain.

He has advised that I need to have an extension of my existing fusion to include C4-T4 and an osteotomy at the T10 level. I've read about osteotomies on the internet but stil not sure I understand what it entails. If anyone has had these surgeries can you tell me what to expect as far as post-operative pain and length of recovery time? Will I need to wear a neck brace? The last surgery I had was fusion from about T5-T7 (I think) and it was one of the most painful operations I've ever had. This upcoming surgery will be my 13th in 10 years. Any advice? Thanks so much