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

I am taking in the information you all have provided. I was diagnosed when I was 12 (1962) and wore a Milwaukee brace for four years. My curve was improved from 68˚ (I think) to 32˚...5'2" to 5'7.5". About 1998 I saw a spine specialist at the Spine Center, my curve measured 46˚. Well, now at 75yrs I am experiencing pain in my right hip radiating down into my leg and foot. I have consulted with two orthopedic doctors and will be consulting with an ortho surgeon regarding spine correction July 29th. I am tussling with the give and take when it comes to tossing the dice with surgery in these last years of life.

Hi CL,
I am 67 and just had spine surgery by Jeremy Fogelson at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Others on this site have had surgery at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona by Dr. McClendon--also with good results.( I am not certain about their age).
For a second opinion, you may want to contact whichever site is closest to you, and send off the requested records, to see if they would accept you as a patient. (Make certain they accept your insurance).

I have a somewhat similar background-- diagnosed with Scoliosis at age of 9-- did PT--curves progressed. Was in a Milwaukee Back Brace for three years --approx. 13 to 16. By 19, my upper curve progressed to 74 lower 46 or 47. Underwent a T2 to L2 spinal fusion with a Harrington Rod implant,, after being in traction for 12 days. They got my upper curve down to 47/46, I can't remember what my lower curve was reduced to.
Amazingly, my prior back surgery and the rod have been fine for these 48 years.

In 2022, I started to have pain generated from the vertebrae below my prior fusion. The pain became chronic and I knew I did not want to live in constant pain. I met with Dr.
Dr.Fogelson in 2024 and had surgery in May 2025. I was immediately relieved of my chronic back pain--just had to deal with surgical related pain that greatly reduced around 5 weeks.
The recovery process is long. I need to lay down on ice multiple times a day. (almost 9 weeks since surgery) and I cannot sit for very long--but this is getting better. I still have some right leg radicular pain, but this should go away as the doctor was able to free up all my nerves that were being pinched. Walking feels great and I can easily walk a mile.
One factor that delayed my surgery was that I have Osteoporosis and had to be on a Bone building drug for a year.
Sorry for the ramble.
Good luck in making your decision.!
Nadine

I had a complete spinal revision from the very base of my spine to the neck, which is above the shoulders. I don't know the exact location letters or numbers. I had two surgeons do the surgery, a left handed neurosurgeon and a right handed orthopedic surgeon- Dr. Darrell Hanson here in Houston. Dr. Hanson only does scoliosis surgeries which can also include the neck. I had three curves that needed correction, and I now have a metal supported spine. I will upload photos at a later date. I was told right before the surgery that I could expect to have the spine only move by a 20% correction. I had a 74% curve on one side that caused the ribs to protrude to that side, then a 74% curve below my waist headed forward- which created a huge sway, and last a 60% curve in my upper back.
I exercised daily, using Pilates reformer in a class, I have a PT flatform that is low, and I used this daily with a Franklin ball ( green ball on Amazon) to stretch and relax all the back, neck, buttock muscles, etc.- a 20 minutes daily routine, which actually makes you feel much better! . When they measured my spine in my first follow up visit, my center back curve had moved 40% to 34! All the stretching and exercise really does make a difference. My surgery was two years ago this month and I am 75 years old! I spent two weeks in the hospital, I cannot take regular narcotics- so I was given Ketamine IG in the ICI and then just a fentanyl IV during the 12 days I was on the second IV. The fentanyl IV only last one hour but if you add the fentanyl patch you will be just fine. There is not the pain that you might be worried about. They might be cutting and reconnecting your nerves so your feeling will be less due to the nerve work. I have no feeling in the center of my back today, but I can feel pressure. Your body will change shape and be a bit thicker due to the installed metal. You can still wear the same size clothes. I went home after two weeks but needed round the clock care for the first seven days and then 12-hour care for another week. The out-of-pocket care cost me about 5500. I was told I would need a four-month recovery, but I went back to work after two and a half months. I am now planning to have the scoliosis corrected in my neck, where my neck will be fused. Also, after the surgery you can exercise again, and I started this home exercises, then moved to a trainer who gave me approved exercises. I am happy to answer any questions that you or others might have. I am so glad I finally had the surgery; I had been afraid and wearing this hot brace for years before the surgery. I also have had toes that keep curving, and now am having my third set of toe surgeries this time they have added screws in the toes so they will no longer curve! Does anyone else have an issue with the toes?

Nadine,
You have been through a lot! Your story is encouraging in that you appear to be recovering well and have the ability to walk a mile. Do you mind sharing what your procedure was that you had performed in May of this year? I am on the cusp of scheduling Fusion from t10-s1 to adddress narrowing of the spinal canal at l3-5 and correct a slight curve above L1. I would love to know if your surgery was similar to what I am facing.
Bernie

Hi CL,
I am 67 and just had spine surgery by Jeremy Fogelson at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Others on this site have had surgery at Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, Arizona by Dr. McClendon--also with good results.( I am not certain about their age).
For a second opinion, you may want to contact whichever site is closest to you, and send off the requested records, to see if they would accept you as a patient. (Make certain they accept your insurance).

I have a somewhat similar background-- diagnosed with Scoliosis at age of 9-- did PT--curves progressed. Was in a Milwaukee Back Brace for three years --approx. 13 to 16. By 19, my upper curve progressed to 74 lower 46 or 47. Underwent a T2 to L2 spinal fusion with a Harrington Rod implant,, after being in traction for 12 days. They got my upper curve down to 47/46, I can't remember what my lower curve was reduced to.
Amazingly, my prior back surgery and the rod have been fine for these 48 years.

In 2022, I started to have pain generated from the vertebrae below my prior fusion. The pain became chronic and I knew I did not want to live in constant pain. I met with Dr.
Dr.Fogelson in 2024 and had surgery in May 2025. I was immediately relieved of my chronic back pain--just had to deal with surgical related pain that greatly reduced around 5 weeks.
The recovery process is long. I need to lay down on ice multiple times a day. (almost 9 weeks since surgery) and I cannot sit for very long--but this is getting better. I still have some right leg radicular pain, but this should go away as the doctor was able to free up all my nerves that were being pinched. Walking feels great and I can easily walk a mile.
One factor that delayed my surgery was that I have Osteoporosis and had to be on a Bone building drug for a year.
Sorry for the ramble.
Good luck in making your decision.!
Nadine