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Adult Scoliosis: What is surgery like? Outcomes? Recovery?
Spine Health | Last Active: Jun 13 6:18pm | Replies (116)Comment receiving replies
@elainep Hello, thank you for your story. And I have to say, traveling to the future for surgery was not something I thought of. Ha ha! Just kidding, I made the comment because you said you had ALIF surgery on 12/30/2026.
These are good stories to have on message boards like this one. When dealing with back/spine surgery, most people are not told the actual success rate by their surgeon. This is too bad, as it makes it seem these doctors might not be honest with you about everything. I had ALIF surgery back in November of 2025, so I'm about 6 months post-op. The surgeon fused my spine at L5-S1 due to the bottom disc collapsing on the right side.
Another thing you mentioned, Elaine, was your physical therapy. My surgeon, who is a teaching professor, who designs minimally invasive procedures for other doctors to use, who is at the top of his profession, did not even consider scheduling me for physical therapy. I asked him about therapy before the surgery last year, and he dismissed it as I wouldn't need it, that I will be fine. EVERY other doctor/facility I researched schedules physical therapy after spine surgery, so it is very surprising someone at this level would not for me.
My main point for this is anyone talking about surgery, or that has surgery scheduled, please make sure you are getting the therapy you need after your surgery. I've been to two different physical therapy facilities on my own, and the second one specializes in Scoliosis treatment. They use what is called the Schroth Method, which is using exercises, stretches, and breathing techniques to help ease your pain.
Good luck, Elaine, I'm glad you are getting results from your surgery!
Replies to "@elainep Hello, thank you for your story. And I have to say, traveling to the future..."
@marcd2k I have scoliosis (Harrington rod surgery in 1980) and XLIF in 2025. I'm interested in Schroth therapy. Where do you go for that?
Hi @marcd2k , yes, I realized my typo after posting, so yes….my ALIF surgery was 12/30/2025…..not 2026, although the time travel concept sounds interesting! Lol!!
I cannot imagine going through my surgery (a long fusion…T4 to pelvis) without the couple months of physical therapy beforehand to strengthen my muscles…especially my core & leg and glute strength & my flexibility. Learning how to get in & out of bed (log-rolling) and having to sit to stand would have been nearly impossible, I think, without building strength beforehand. I am now a little over 4.5 months post-surgery, and I go to physical therapy twice per week. I have noticed a big difference in my improving hip flexibility and ability to bend at the hips and do squats (still can’t squat to the floor all the way, though, because I had left ACL reconstruction years ago & lost my full range of motion). But, between trying to make a daily habit of walking miles & doing home PT exercises at least 5 days per week, I am slowly getting stronger. As I said before, I now realize that this will take a good year to mostly heal & 2 years to fully heal. Still thankful for this intense surgery…..I can now sleep restfully for a good 4 hours or so before I have to roll on my side for a while, then back on my back for another couple hours of sleep. Sooooo much better than the all night nerve pain I had before surgery.
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@marcd2k
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