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

Spine Health | Last Active: 2 days ago | Replies (82)
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Profile picture for kadeoh! @karenoharmon

@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

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Replies to "@legpainat80 that is the million dollar question! The surgery is brutal! The recovery is consuming. I..."
legpainat80 | @legpainat80 | Mar 31 9:04am

@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.

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heyjoe415 | @heyjoe415 | 6 days ago

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

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