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

@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.

I actually don't know if I have had it all my life. I suspect yes. I have it now so not sure if it matters. I have been told by.two surgeons that fusion of just a couple lumbar will make my spine unstable above and cause more problems. Thanks for your thoughts.

@karenoharmon Thanks. I had decompression surgery in 2019 when I was in terrible pain both legs. It did help lessen that pain. Have had 3 different PT, one water therapy PT, 22 Steroid shots over the last 8 years. 2 day in hospital last April for those "electric shock spasms" in right thigh. It is a struggle - BUT - not as bad as some I know.

Thanks. I had decompression surgery in 2019 when I was in terrible pain both legs. It did help lessen that pain. Have had 3 different PT, one water therapy PT, 22 Steroid shots over the last 8 years. 2 day in hospital last April for those "electric shock spasms" in right thigh. It is a struggle - BUT - not as bad as some I know.

Hello, everyone, I have a question regarding an alternative to scoliosis surgery. I am a 63 year-old man with scoliosis mainly in the Thoracic part of my spine. It is a C-curve to the right, and there is also a twist in my spine at the top of the Lumbar area.

I had Lumbar Spinal Fusion surgery last November at the bottom, L5-S1, due to the disc had collapsed on the right side. Everything wrong with me is on my right side (disc collapse, C-curve, oblique muscles constantly locked in a cramp), and the scoliosis is not helping matters.

I am looking into Posture Correctors, a type of brace, but more flexible and easier to put on and take off. This corrector I am looking at is from a company called Core Care, and it is called an Instant Posture Corrector. It looks similar to the protective belt workers use to protect their backs when lifting heavy items.

Has anyone heard of this type of posture correction, if it can actually help reduce the curve angle in your spine?

Thank you!
Marc

I, too, am contemplating recommended surgery for my spine, T10 to the pelvic by Mayo neurosurgeon. I have had two other neurosurgeons, not at such a prestigious hospital as Mayo, tell me if it were them, they would not do it. And, "unless you would rather die than go with the pain, I wouldn't do it." However, they are not in our shoes and do not know how our lives are. That said, there is a helpful PT therapy for scoliosis. It's called Schroth Method that was first developed in Germany in early 1900s. I have used it and it is very good in helping my scoliosis. But you need someone that is trained in this type of physical therapy. Google and see if you can find a PT in your area that is trained in the Schroth Method for scoliosis. It's been helpful but I don't know if it will replace surgery. The best seller "Breath" by James Nestor, discusses the Schroth Method and its origins and success.

@legpainat80
Good luck with whatever you choose, it is a hard choice.

I'm in the same boat a possible improvement in quality of life but at the risk of it not getting better or becoming worse after surgery.

Me personally I am the sole support in a 1 man business so at this point not willing and (scared to death) to take that risk although my vision is probably clouded by my wifes problems she has had with fusions.

Eventually I may not have a choice, just learning to accept what I can do. Went to see Springsteen last night. Wife in wheelchair me pushing, only able to stay for about 1/2 the show but it was awsome to enjoy what we could.

Hi, I was 58 when I had Scoliosis Surgery T4-S1. My scoliosis started about 10 years before and got very bad the last 3 before surgery. I wanted it done right away. I had very bad leg pain both legs for 10 years. (had the shots, PT, decompression ect) nothing helped. I didn't go to mayo because there isn't one close to me. I am in Corpus Christi TX. I found an AMAZING DR in Houston. He was a Scoliosis Specialist. I had a extremely good outcome. It was painful in the hospital the first week but the pain Meds worked. I moved to inpatient rehab for a week. Then went home. I had oxy. I quit oxy about 1 month went to tramadol. I was able to get out of be myself when I got home. Used a walker a for a few weeks. I started PT right away. I was driving at 3 months. I'm almost 3 years and walking good very little pain. I take Tylenol. Some movements are a little hard as my back doesn't bend. But I work around it. Before surgery I could only walk about 30 feet. Had to use a shower chair. I wish I had been able to get surgery sooner. 6 months after surgery I flew and was able to walk through the airport without wheelchair assistance. I have read some people that have had pain and other problems after. Everyone heals differently. Good luck

Thanks for sharing your experience Karen. I'm 71 y/o and I'm in the gym everyday. I spin 5x/week and do resistance training with a trainer 2x/week. I also get dry needling for my back and glutes every two weeks.

I say all this because I think my gym time is 1) keeping my core muscles strong and 2) because my core is strong, it protects my spine.

I have scoliosis, stenosis, spondylolisthesis, and of course degeneratiive discs. I had laminotomies done on S1 through L4 - a hole drilled in the back of each vertebrae to provide more room for the sciatic nerve - 14 years ago and feel fine since.

I have systemic osteoarthritis, thanks Mom! I have had both knees replaced (2022) and my right hip and left shoulder (anatomical TSR, not reverse) in 2025, so I'm not new to ortho surgery. And I have recovered completely from all these surgeries (it does require me to use the body scanner at the airport).

But I would really like to avoid spinal fusion of any kind. My back is quite tight in the morning after getting up, but it's tight, not painful. I think the dry needling has helped a lot.

Anyway, I'm grateful for this forum where we can share experiences and offer advice.

All the best to all on this forum!

Joe