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Adult Scoliosis: What is surgery like? Outcomes? Recovery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Apr 5 2:18pm | Replies (82)Comment receiving replies
81year old male. I have left leg pain when I walk very much or far. I can walk about 1/4 mile. By then I have to start bending over to put space in my vertebae. This is especially true in the afternoon or evening. Can't tour a museum, can not shop long, my wife has to carry almost everything. BUT I get up and move well. I am around the house, up and down stairs. Sit, play cards, go visit friends, go out to meals and kids ball games all fine as long as I don't have to walk far. Neurologest says T 12 to S1 fusion and reconstruction of my scoliosis spine is really all that can be done. I my understand how big an operation this is, how my bending will be limited. Can't wipe butt, etc. So- at my age- good health otherwise. Is this surgery and recovery and limited movement worth it ? I am really torn about this. I know 2 others who had this surgery- but they were so much worse than me- constant pain. None were as old as I am.
I do have confidence in the surgery. Great medical center. Good outcomes by him. Am I bad enough for this?
Replies to "81year old male. I have left leg pain when I walk very much or far. I..."
@legpainat80 that is the million dollar question! The surgery is brutal! The recovery is consuming. I am 5 months post op and I’m doing well but it has taken a ton of effort. I might consider the anesthesia part. I gave no thought to that and that is where I had the most complications. If you have not tried the conservative things I would encourage you to try them. Find a good PT that will work to correct your posture and teach you how to stand upright and increase your stamina. I think if I had waited until retirement to do this surgery I likely would not have moved forward with it. Blessings. K
@legpainat80
Is it degenerative adult scoliosis from disc deterioration or have you had it your whole life?
T12-S1 seems really aggressive (to me) for some one who is able to do what you are able to do.
Walking a 1/4 mile is great.
Have they looked at a smaller fusion addressing the left leg nerve?
This is a really big surgery.
Surgeons have the mindset that they can fix the physical part (understandable) but it doesn't always equate to a better quality of life.
Even if sucessful tecnically, it will be a long recovery I would think maybe a year and you may end up with worse or diffent symptoms
My wife is fused from T9 to pelvis (not all at 1 time) and still is on pain meds and has to use a walker on and off.
Good luck in whatever you decide
Please do a lot of research before going down this road.
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I would not do it. I have very bad scoliosis and have never considered surgery before or now (I am 83). At this age, things do not heal like when you were young. An infection could put your life in jeopardy. Make adjustments to your present life and just go on with what you have now. I know younger people who have tried this surgery and have come out with very bad limitations and much more pain than before. It's a gamble and you may not win.