3 replies to this topic

[tshoe777]

I have a friend who is 48, good health, good physical condition, and very active. He has 42% curvature and has been advised that surgery is necessary to prevent further complications. Currently, he has no health issues and leads a very active lifestyle. Is surgery the only solution or can something be done to at least slow down the scoliosis that is less invasive. Or if anyone has had spinal fusion surgery with a positive outcome, please provide some information on the recovery because the one person he has spoken with painted a grim 7 month ordeal to recover from the surgery.

[Joed]

My first fusion with instrumentation was when I was still a growing child...and youth being what it is, I could say that the outcome was successful. The total recovery process was 1.5 years...that's counting the following year in a Milwaukee brace. In '03 I had more of the same at 45 y/o. (only minus the body casts and braces)

The recovery in '03 was much shorter than it was in '68, thanks to medical advances. But age will definitely kick your arse during these types of things. It's hard for me to distinguish between my recovery following this last fusion/instrumentation and the recovery following a separate (tethered cord) sugery five days prior, as the recoveries were simultaneous. I had a lot of pain issues, but I think most of that was neurological and not skeletonal from the fusion. But overall, I'm glad that I have the extra support that the hardware gives. And, if I've timed it right, this baby should last me long enough so that I won't have to undergo such a brutal surgery when I'm 75 y/o.

But I was up and 'walking' in two weeks (would've been sooner if not for the cord surgery), a far cry from '68 when you had to lie in bed in a full body cast for three months, then another three months in a walking body cast.

If he is strong and active now, that has surely been in his favor. Muscle provides much of his spinal support. As he continues to age, he may lose muscle tone, bone density, etc. ...so those are things to consider, as well as his ability to rebound strongly from a surgery like this now as opposed to later.

A 42 degree curvature is classified as severe. Time and gravity will most certainly impact his spine in later years. You didn't mention if there has been an increase in the curvature compared to his earlier scoliosis studies? For me, that's what I would look at...any changes. Is his surgeon someone who has been monitoring his case over a period of time, or a new surgeon who only sees the 42 degrees and recommends fusion surgery, even though it may have been at 42 degrees most of his life with no problems?

I'm a big proponent of 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it'...but the age factor does play into this, as much as I hate to admit it, and can't be ignored in the decision-making. The surgery is no small thing, and he will be out of the loop for a bit. Depending on how much straightening they can get, it may take awhile for his body and spine to adjust to the new configuration. It's a general rule that it takes one year for the bone to fully fuse, although some people will fuse much quicker. If he heals quickly, he could probably be integrating some low key stuff back into his life by three months.

Apart from surgery, there are exercises that he could do to strengthen his spine support. A physical therapist would be able to guide him in that.

I hope some of this helps...

[Avocado Baby]

Hi there,

I had a second spinal spinal for scoliosis in February this year at the age of 25. I had one when I was 13 for my lumbar spine but I wasn't paying much attention to how it affected my scoliosis at the time.

The recovery is hard and not particularly pleasant, but I am glad I had it done, because it's given me balance and stability in my spine that I never had before. I'm alot straighter and I look better too.

I'd agree with Joed though that it's important to see whether there has been progression in the curve and whether it's likely to progress cos if it's not causing him any problems and is stable, I wouldn't go to such drastic measures as scoliosis surgery.

Good luck!

[Nichole]

I know this sounds weird, but my spinal fusion actually made my spine curve. I had to have a fusion just because the bone were completely shattered. Well anyway, i didn't heal completely straight and now my back curves a little to the right near the back side of my shoulder. Apparently they say it shouldn't get any worse, but it does cause me some muscles pains sometimes.
I'm not sure if that helps at all....but just thought i'd let you know.