Long History New bone scan

[kb781]

My 16 yr old son has had back surgery 6 times.  Initially for scoliosis where there was a hardware problem after the first spinal fusion resulting in 2nd surgery.  During the 2nd surgery he contracted a hosptial acquired deep wound mrsa infection which he battled for 9 months.  Eventually, they removed the hardware and did two debridement surgeries.  The infection was battled and as all looked well they put the hardware back resulting in very lengthy surgery.  A month later they had to go back in again as two screws shifted and were lying on his spinal cord.  The last surgery was 11 months ago.  Throughout this whole ordeal he has had shoulder pain which they keep attributing to muscle pains.  He has lower left back pain and neck pain just above the surgery level.  He was fused from t3 to l4.  His Dr ordered a bone scan looking for a stress fracture but here are the results. Thoracic and lumbar scoliosis with mottled bone reaction throughout the axial skeleton.  Bone reaction is slightly more pronounced mid dorsal spine approximating t3,t4,t5.  Bone reaction is noted on both shoulder joints, slightly more pronounced right shoulder.  Bilateral reaction sterno clavicular joints.  In the impression it is suggesting the possibility of a degenerative process in the shoulders and sc joints.  I would appreciate any input as to what might be happening.Thank you

[Michael L Gross, MD]

I originally declined to answer the question because I felt this was not a question for a sports medicine forum. I would love to give you some insight, but I really think this question goes far beyond the scope of a forum like this.

[kb781]

Just an added comment: He did have septicemia with the mrsa and confirmed mrsa osteomyelitis in his spine.

[kb781]

I am confused as to why my post looks skipped over.  Your insight would be appreciated.  I need to correct my second post, My son did not have septicemia he had bacteremia.