Adult Scoliosis: What is surgery like? Outcomes? Recovery?

Posted by kjones612 @kjones612, Apr 17 1:25pm

I am 59 years old and just met with a neurosurgeon at Mayo who is recommending scoliosis surgery from T10 to S1. I would love to hear from anyone who has either had scoliosis surgery or decided to not. I have end stage degenerative disc disease complicating things. Surgery would also address structural issiwa feom that
Outcomes? How and why you made decision. Recovery? Anything you might be willing to share. Thank you.

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I was 66 when I saw a scoliosis surgeon. He advised me at that time that I needed to do the surgery. I was afraid, so I continued to wait, with my spine moving another 20% on each of the curves. You will recover faster when you are in your 60's vs when you are even older.

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@urbanjane

I was 66 when I saw a scoliosis surgeon. He advised me at that time that I needed to do the surgery. I was afraid, so I continued to wait, with my spine moving another 20% on each of the curves. You will recover faster when you are in your 60's vs when you are even older.

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That's what I am struggling with. I know I will need this surgery at some point. I have daily pain, can't sit and sleep is difficult. I have a high pain tolerance so I can continue to pretend. Part of me says to get this taken care of and not put off the inevitable but I am a bit afraid of the procedure. I am not afraid of the pain or work needed following the surgery.

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@kjones612

That's what I am struggling with. I know I will need this surgery at some point. I have daily pain, can't sit and sleep is difficult. I have a high pain tolerance so I can continue to pretend. Part of me says to get this taken care of and not put off the inevitable but I am a bit afraid of the procedure. I am not afraid of the pain or work needed following the surgery.

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The surgery would be advisable at this point in your life vs waiting hoping to improve and aging more and more when going under will more dangerous. Good luck.

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@urbanjane

if your scoliosis is progressive, and you have trouble standing without a brace, then you should be seeing two scoliosis surgeons every 6 to 12 months for new x-rays and updates on a realistic opinion.
You are still younger than average because you exercise daily. Better to do the surgery when you are younger than older like me.

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I am able to stand without any assistance. The neurosurgeon told me he is there for me either to talk or have further imaging to inquire regarding the scoliosis progression. I appreciate your communication.

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@kjones612

Hello. Thank you for sharing your story. I also have significant disc degeneration. I am very active as well. I feel like the decision is not if I have it, but when. Can I ask who did your surgery?

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UB neurosurgery Dr Mullen in Buffalo

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My 73 year old sister has scoliosis. A back doc told her if the didn’t fix it she would have a very painful death 😩 what a pal he is.

Anyhow, has anyone had surgery for scoliosis? Exercises that help? It really progressed over the last six years. She looks like her upper body is put on crooked.

She did just have lower back surgery which improved her disk situation tremendously. Oh, and her bones are soft. Any thoughts/help?

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@willow5

My 73 year old sister has scoliosis. A back doc told her if the didn’t fix it she would have a very painful death 😩 what a pal he is.

Anyhow, has anyone had surgery for scoliosis? Exercises that help? It really progressed over the last six years. She looks like her upper body is put on crooked.

She did just have lower back surgery which improved her disk situation tremendously. Oh, and her bones are soft. Any thoughts/help?

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Wow, “a very painful death;” that’s extreme.

Surgery is usually the last resort. Would your sister want to consider a second opinion, with a different type of provider or surgeon? Seeing a physiatrist (physical medicine and rehab doctor) may help—they’re internists that also have training in how physical therapy and other interventions can help. They tend to look at things more holistically.

Or even seeing a PT if she hasn’t consulted one yet?

To answer your question, I’ve had surgery for scoliosis—it was a spinal fusion, but I had it at age 11, preventatively (and it was my parents’ decision) so I couldn’t tell you if exercise would have helped or not. My curve was categorized as “severe,” so surgery was I suppose meant to prevent what your sister may be experiencing now.

The risks to this kind of surgery increase with age and you also mention “soft bones” (osteoporosis?). This sounds risky.

I do know my parents took me for a second opinion and ended up going with the second surgeon’s plan, so it’s usually helpful to get a second opinion and gather more information about other options besides surgery if you can.

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@willow5

My 73 year old sister has scoliosis. A back doc told her if the didn’t fix it she would have a very painful death 😩 what a pal he is.

Anyhow, has anyone had surgery for scoliosis? Exercises that help? It really progressed over the last six years. She looks like her upper body is put on crooked.

She did just have lower back surgery which improved her disk situation tremendously. Oh, and her bones are soft. Any thoughts/help?

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Are those soft bones osteoporotic? Luckily there are some good medications now (Tymlos and Forteo) that build strong bone. Surgery for scoliosis involves rods and screws. If your sister's bones are too soft they will be unable to hold the hardware. Both of the mentioned osteoporosis drugs help integrate the hardware in addition to making the bone stronger. I'd get an endocrinologist involved before getting second opinions from orthopedists.
There are newer rods that can move which are better than the older hardware.
Painful death conversations are manipulative, still surgery might be a good choice.
There is something called Clear Scoliosis that you might want to check into. It is a system of bracing and exercise.
Best luck

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@willow5

My 73 year old sister has scoliosis. A back doc told her if the didn’t fix it she would have a very painful death 😩 what a pal he is.

Anyhow, has anyone had surgery for scoliosis? Exercises that help? It really progressed over the last six years. She looks like her upper body is put on crooked.

She did just have lower back surgery which improved her disk situation tremendously. Oh, and her bones are soft. Any thoughts/help?

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I am to see an ortho specialist for levoscoliosis in three weeks. He is associated with Barrow Institute. I did have the imaging, as I was curious to find out the curvature, which is at 18%. I am curious to hear what he has to say. I am extremely active, and at age 69, I want to continue with the sports I love into my 80's.

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@willow5

My 73 year old sister has scoliosis. A back doc told her if the didn’t fix it she would have a very painful death 😩 what a pal he is.

Anyhow, has anyone had surgery for scoliosis? Exercises that help? It really progressed over the last six years. She looks like her upper body is put on crooked.

She did just have lower back surgery which improved her disk situation tremendously. Oh, and her bones are soft. Any thoughts/help?

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Good luck~. Let us know. I take it the 18% curve is causing you problems? I know my sister’s curve is much higher at 18%. I hope you get to continue all your activities, too! I’m in the same boat with my ankle and not being able to find someone who tells me why it hurts and I can no longer run beyond 1/4 mile. I will preservere!

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