Scoliosis - Introduce yourself and meet others

Hi, anyone have chronic low back & hip pain with scoliosis? My orthopedic wants to prolong back surgery as long as possible said at my age (53) I will need surgery again in 10 years. I have degenerative disc and 4 bukdging disc. Expecting neck surgery this month. Right arm & hand go numb when I try to use and sometimes just goes numb. Anyone else had these issues? Tks.

Hello @sharon2000, I would like to add my welcome to @lilgrizz's. You may notice that I moved your discussion and combined it with an existing discussion on Scoliosis. I did this because I thought it would be beneficial for you to be introduced to the many members who have discussed much of what you are experiencing. If you are replying by email, I suggest clicking on VIEW & REPLY so that you can read through some of the earlier messages and so you can meet some of our other members talking about living with scoliosis.

Also, here are a few other discussions about scoliosis on Connect:

- Scoliosis & Sleep Number Beds, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/scoliosis-and-sleep-number-beds/
- Degenerative discs and scoliosis, https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/degenerative-discs-and-scoliosis/

@sharon2000 It surely does hurt! There is now that hump on my right shoulder too. I went from 5'8" to 5'4". At least I am shrinking and not melting. My pelvis is twisted as well. Doctor and grocery sum it up for me too. This cold has not helped either. Not as severe in this area as it is farther east. For now I am just working with a pain specialist and an orthopedic doctor.
My scoliosis is a result of a broken femur when I was 20-I am now 66. Did not have symptoms until 2008. At my age it is mostly deal with it. Also DDD of the neck and lower lumbar from doing a lot of lifting. Currently not taking any meds other than OTC's when necessary.
Chronic pain is not fun and can be a lonely life because I look healthy I can't be in pain. I know others do not understand and this is okay.

Had neck surgery as I lost my ability to write. Arms and hands almost useless. Better after surgery but not perfect. Dr not God. Entry through back. Have bulge and daily need OTC help. Would do it again as I am not ready to give up living.

I only have mild scoliosis of the upper thoracic region with not a very large curve but it affects my hands and arms a bit now and again. I also suffer with a d fracture in the upper thoracic. I have found that using low-level laser therapy has helped. I live in the UK and some chiropractors use it here.It reduces the inflammation which for me is a really big issue and main causation of the pain.

@mertie I agree on the inflammation. I tend to say aggravate but it’s definitely inflammation that becomes a brick on my back. And it feels like my left hip gets everything started if I stand more than 5 minutes. If I do anything I walk like a granny until it calms down. Of course not walking correctly or favoring one side causes other issues but how can you help it? It’s a constant pain but gets worse if I walk or stand. I take a lot of ibuprofen & use my tens unit. I also have a prescription cream for my back but it really doesn’t help me. The nerve meds didn’t help either. It’s just frustrating I can find the spot on my hip that’s hurting but I can’t push down far enough to reach it.

Wow reading this thread I just wanna say "stop talking about me" I am not as severe as you, things do get better.[for a while] I recently bought myself a car that the one criteria was the right shaped seat so it didnt increase the angle of my hip when sitting [flat seat ] as the pain of getting out of mine and esp my daughters which is a low bucket seat was crippling and brought tears to the eyes on getting out. [and yes walking like a granny for the first 100M] I intend to go to my PCP/GP this year [N.Ys resolution] and ask for an Xray of back and pelvis to see if the twist has increased, or that uncle arthur has moved in [ arthritis]

I agree with the seat. They makes a big difference. I love to drive my sons car with the Lumbar & heated seats. If only the lumbar would push in just a tad bit more it would be perfect & I would never come out of the seat.

To Gailb. Have the same history and manage pain with otc. Grateful for the things that I can do.

Hello everyone saw my Ortho and he’s doing a SI injection on 1/29. I sure hope this one helps. Reading a lot about sacroiliac and it’s sounds so much where a lot of my pain lives. I can take you exactly to the spot that hurts on my hip. Anyone else have the injection & did it help?
Regardless with all the stories I’ve read I do not want back surgery unless I have no other choice. He did more X-rays on my neck. He’s trying to set up my neck surgery. My surgeon said surgery would be at Atlanta Medical Center. But that’s Wellstar and I’m not sure they would accept my insurance. So I guess I’ll wait & see what happens. I sure hope I don’t have to change doctors.