Neurosurgeon visit looking for options for scoliosis

Are you considering a second opinion?

@srquser May I offer a suggestion? According to my physical therapist, a technique called myofascial release may help scoliosis somewhat. In other patients, it has been able to help with lessening a spine curvature. If you have tightness in the muscles and fascia in your body, it may be pulling your spine into a scoliosis curvature to a degree. It won't replace a spine deformity surgeon for correcting more advanced deformity. There are many reasons for scoliosis and spine deformities, but I have also known patients who were seeing a therapist for regular work in helping their scoliosis who were getting some curvature correction. Problems of body alignment may also cause pain as you probably know. This is just physical therapy and stretching.

Here is our discussion where you can learn more.

Neuropathy - "Myofascial Release Therapy (MFR) for treating compression and pain"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/myofascial-release-therapy-mfr-for-treating-compression-and-pain/
There is a provider search at http://mfrtherapists.com/

@srquser, you may also be interested in these discussions related to adult scoliosis https://connect.mayoclinic.org/group/spine-health/?search=scoliosis&index=discussions

@srquser Hello! I hope you will get a second opinion. Unless there are other reasons why he thinks you shouldn’t have surgery. It is a tough surgery to heal from. Do you have someone who can help you out for a few months after your surgery?
Best Sherry

Regarding a 2nd opinion - this was actually my 2nd opinion. Initially saw an Orthopedic surgeon who immediately said he'd schedule surgery, but better to try other things first. I did - with inconsistent results. But as of now, I'll sticj with these other things - I think I need to add massage to my list.

I'm in early mid 70s and dealing with same L-3 thru S-1 scoliosis, stenosis, degenerative osteoarthritis. Spine specialist suggested 2 options to relieve varying extreme to moderate pain. Most extreme is fusing the 3 areas, but he suggested I try bilateral nerve ablation of facet joints and referred me to pain specialist. Insurance requires 2 "diagnostic block injections" to determine if successful (temporary relief only). I just had 2nd test last week and will be proceeding within a month with nerve ablations. Current use of Aleve, occasional codeine with acetaminophen and wear back support brace when on my feet a lot.

I also have scoliosis with a 33 degree curvature and severe kyphosis. I am 69 years old with Parkinson's Disease.
I am planning to try a spine stimulator for the pain. Any feedback would be welcome.

@kathy2hilltop Do you have a back brace you would recommend?

Isn't ibuprofen better than Aleve for back pain? And ibuprofen along with acetaminophen at the same time work better together than each one separately. My wife went thru with the 24 injection nerve ablations (she had it done 2 or 3 times), but it wears off quickly. If it were me, I'd try fusing the 3 areas. All the less invasive options just seem to be like band aids.

@laughlin1947
Yes, ablations have varying success and longevity rates. I'd prefer to try less invasive first as does my spinal specialist/surgeon. Aleve (naproxen) taken once a day as needed works better for me than ibuprofen that only gave 4-6 hrs. relief. Sorry, no recommendation on back brace as they were my mom's from MANY years ago for similar back issues. Perhaps your doctor has a recommendation he can prescribe that maybe Medicare would cover as "durable equipment"? I haven't looked into that yet.

Many thanks for your reply, but my PCP has no experience with back braces, and I get the impression she does not want to bother with it, since the time she would devote to the issue is not billable.