My journey with a T11 to L4 spinal fusion - 40 degree scoliosis curve

@annandkitty I’m sorry things are so hard for you right now. I do hope they improve. I’ve done all the conservative treatment options and they no longer help. Dr Sebastian would not even consider surgery if anything else could help. I’ve had scoliosis since I was ten with on and off back pain since high school but it was manageable with massage, PT, exercise, acupuncture and things I’m probably forgetting. Over the last two years it has gotten much worse and nothing has helped including steroid injection, nerve ablation and medication. I’m not in constant pain. If I’m sitting on a heating pad I’m fine but if I try to walk around a grocery store or, even worse, a farmer’s market or museum, I’m quickly in extreme pain and exhausted. I used to walk several miles a day and now I sit except for some strengthening/PT exercises I do several times a week. Dr Sebastian isn’t pushing me to do surgery. Quite the opposite. He wants me to think about it. It’s a big surgery with lots of pain. I’m feeling like I don’t have a lot of choices. He’s the second doctor who has said that if nothing else works this is my best option. I’m going to choose Mayo in the hope that going to such a good hospital and doctor will improve my odds of a good outcome but there are no guarantees. My age will make it harder as will the arthritis and other issues of aging but I’m not getting younger and the longer I’m so sedentary the faster all that will progress. I think the choice is between continuing to get worse, a 45 degree curve that is progressively getting worse and will keep limiting my life or a chance at at least a few, maybe many, more years of active life. I would love to hear from others who have faced similar situations and hear their stories.

@annandkitty I’m sorry things are so hard for you right now. I do hope they improve. I’ve done all the conservative treatment options and they no longer help. Dr Sebastian would not even consider surgery if anything else could help. I’ve had scoliosis since I was ten with on and off back pain since high school but it was manageable with massage, PT, exercise, acupuncture and things I’m probably forgetting. Over the last two years it has gotten much worse and nothing has helped including steroid injection, nerve ablation and medication. I’m not in constant pain. If I’m sitting on a heating pad I’m fine but if I try to walk around a grocery store or, even worse, a farmer’s market or museum, I’m quickly in extreme pain and exhausted. I used to walk several miles a day and now I sit except for some strengthening/PT exercises I do several times a week. Dr Sebastian isn’t pushing me to do surgery. Quite the opposite. He wants me to think about it. It’s a big surgery with lots of pain. I’m feeling like I don’t have a lot of choices. He’s the second doctor who has said that if nothing else works this is my best option. I’m going to choose Mayo in the hope that going to such a good hospital and doctor will improve my odds of a good outcome but there are no guarantees. My age will make it harder as will the arthritis and other issues of aging but I’m not getting younger and the longer I’m so sedentary the faster all that will progress. I think the choice is between continuing to get worse, a 45 degree curve that is progressively getting worse and will keep limiting my life or a chance at at least a few, maybe many, more years of active life. I would love to hear from others who have faced similar situations and hear their stories.

rashida, age isn't the most complicating factor regarding scoliosis surgery. If you feel up to it, I'd encouraged you to have an evaluation with a doctor like Sebastian who has extensive experience.

I’m a 73 year old woman who probably needs to have scoliosis surgery to relieve my chronic pain and be able to walk any distance and stand for more than a few minutes. I’m seeing Dr Sebastian at Mayo. What experiences have others had with this issue or doctor?

I’m a 73 year old woman who probably needs to have scoliosis surgery to relieve my chronic pain and be able to walk any distance and stand for more than a few minutes. I’m seeing Dr Sebastian at Mayo. What experiences have others had with this issue or doctor?

@lisamedanic Lisa at 75 (I’m 73) unless you’re in relatively healthy shape physically, psychologically and overall health I’d get a second and third opinion. If you’re debilitated from the chronic pain and limitations of your scoliosis recovery will be more difficult.
I also have chronic pain and scoliosis x2 (22% lumbar / 20% thoracic) & that’s not enough to require surgery. I also get a full body massage, acupuncture and Myofascial release treatments alternating weekly plus buprenorphine patches for pain. I exercise and stretch and walk 2 miles daily. Anything to stay ahead of the pain. I just cannot imagine putting myself through that at 73. With limited years on my dance card I’d think twice.

Hi @lisamedanic. I got to where you are a little earlier - 59. The surgery is rough. The recovery is even rougher. Not the pain. I have no real pain from the surgery, and have not since about week 4. The accommodations are the challenge. I’ve had to be completely dependent upon my husband for almost everything imaginable at first. 7 weeks out and my stamina doesn’t hold out for me to do much of what I was accustomed to doing. But all that aside — I’m excited to get back on trails by the end of the year and explore places without being stuck sitting on the sidelines and waiting for people to come back from enjoying life while I watched. I would encourage you to consider who can help you for a good 3 months to set you up for the best recovery possible. What can you do now to prepare your body for the healing that needs to take place in the months ahead — nutritionally, physically, and mentally. Dr. Abode at Mayo was my surgeon and he and his team took excellent care of me. A lot of thought and prayers went into this decision. Praying you get the clarity you need to get to where you want to be.
Blessings.

I’m a 73 year old woman who probably needs to have scoliosis surgery to relieve my chronic pain and be able to walk any distance and stand for more than a few minutes. I’m seeing Dr Sebastian at Mayo. What experiences have others had with this issue or doctor?

@lisamedanic oh my goodness! No, I don’t think my scoliosis is that severe! Maybe that’s why no doctor has suggested surgery! My curvature must be very slight … enough just to comment on but not to take action, I suppose …