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Adult Scoliosis: What is surgery like? Outcomes? Recovery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jun 5 2:50pm | Replies (29)Comment receiving replies
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?
Replies to "My 73 year old sister has scoliosis. A back doc told her if the didn’t fix..."
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
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.
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!
@willow5 There are several discussions about Scoliosis where you can meet other members. The Adult Scoliosis discussion has the most recent posts at this time.
Spine Health - “Adult Scoliosis”
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adult-scoliosis/
Spine Health - “Severe Scoliosis”
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-scoliosis-1/
Osteoporosis & Bone Health - “Bone Health and Scoliosis”
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/bone-health-and-scoliosis/
Spine Health - “Scoliosis”
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scoliosis-3/
@willow5, I'd like to add my welcome. You've received some helpful replies from others. As per @jenniferhunter's suggestion, I moved your question to this related discussion where you can read previous posts and connect with additional members:
- Adult Scoliosis: What is surgery like? Outcomes? Recovery? https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/adult-scoliosis/
I agree with @emo who mentioned getting a second opinion. Has you sister considered getting a second opinion?
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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.