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Scoliosis - Introduce yourself and meet others

Posted by Justin McClanahan, Moderator @JustinMcClanahan, Apr 25, 2017

Let's talk about living with scoliosis.
As a community moderator of the Bones, Joints & Muscles and Spine Health groups, I've noticed several members talking about scoliosis, but those discussions were scattered throughout the community. I thought I would start this discussion to bring us all together in one place.

Get comfortable in your favorite spot, grab a beverage of your choice, and let's chat. Why not start by introducing yourself?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Spine Health Support Group.

sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | Nov 14 6:17pm
In reply to @bayhorse "Hi, sherrym25. Wishing you all the best with your surgery. I rode horses for more than..." + (show)
@bayhorse

Hi, sherrym25. Wishing you all the best with your surgery. I rode horses for more than 20 years and had to quit because of severe osteoporosis and lumbar stenosis. I know how heartbreaking it is to have to give up riding, so want to send encouragement and good thoughts your way. Hope you get back in the saddle soon!

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@bayhorse thank you so much for your encouragement! I have a young horse that I am trying to get a few rides in before I have my surgery and also more work in my five month colt that is mostly halter broke. Trying to get as much done now because I know the next year is going be a long vacation for them 🤣
Do you have an option for surgery? It’s very intimidating for me, but the decision became much easier as my quality of life declined so much.

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sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | Nov 14 6:20pm
In reply to @bayhorse "Hi, sherrym25. Wishing you all the best with your surgery. I rode horses for more than..." + (show)
@bayhorse

Hi, sherrym25. Wishing you all the best with your surgery. I rode horses for more than 20 years and had to quit because of severe osteoporosis and lumbar stenosis. I know how heartbreaking it is to have to give up riding, so want to send encouragement and good thoughts your way. Hope you get back in the saddle soon!

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@bayhorse I just saw your other post and quickly jumped back here to let you know that I will read your comment. Just wanted you to know because I just asked you if surgery is in your future and don’t want you to have to re-explain anything!!!

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sherrym25 | @sherrym25 | Nov 14 6:35pm
In reply to @bayhorse "Hi, all. I was told I had mild scoliosis when i was in my late 20s...." + (show)
@bayhorse

Hi, all. I was told I had mild scoliosis when i was in my late 20s. It was treated as though it were completely insignificant, so I never gave it any thought. I am now 72, and I can see that my torso has shifted significantly to the left of center. I have severe lumbar stenosis, so all the nerve pain I experience in my legs, glutes, and feet are said to be from that. And I am not a candidate for surgery or steroid shots because of the osteoporosis. Once again, no one is addressing the scoliosis, which I think might be causing a problem mentioned in a 2023 post by planaria -- muscles tightening horribly, particularly after exercise. Massage therapists are reluctant to do deep tissue work or myofascial release on me because of the osteoporosis, especially because I am tiny (90 pounds). Can any of you make some suggestions about what sort of physician might actually take the scoliosis component seriously, or what kind of massage might be do-able and useful? I am really struggling to keep active!

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@bayhorse Dr. McClendon at the Phoenix Arizona Mayo Clinic will perform my surgery on December 11. I have researched him and his work and met him personally during my evaluation. I am so impressed with his obvious desire to help people and to stay on top of new technology and advances in surgery. He listened to me and provided honest feedback, and I don’t think I could be in better hands. What I love about the Mayo Clinic is they have a team approach where they have neurosurgeons and orthopedic surgeons who work together, so you are getting the best advice and ultimately the best surgery, if that is the end result.
Everything that I have researched and been told, and experienced, is it scoliosis continues to advance as you get older. Gravity continues to work against us and the curve continues to grow, affecting every single part of our body in someway or another.
I have also learned that I have to be my own advocate and if I don’t get help, I have to keep knocking on doors until the right doctor helps.
Nonstop prayers have led me to where I am now 🙏
I hope you can find a doctor that will be able to help you soon!

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