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

@ccchang there is a woman who owns the Scroth Boss, she is located in Orland Park ILL. She has classes and one on one training. She also has a social presence on IG.

@edie2716 Oh ok, thank you! Is that Dr. Katie? If so, I've connected Schroth Boss through Facebook. Did you try Schroth Boss? I was wondering how well virtual (rather than in person) works.

Ditto on the virtual

@ccchang yes it is Dr Katie. I went to her last year. She gave me exercises to do at home and I saw her ~6 times for one on one therapy. Definitely check her out. Also I went to a posture therapist and saw her as well for several visits after I saw Dr Katie. I went to both for my constant stiff neck on my right side. I was in no pain but was trying to get rid of this stiffness. I still have the stiff neck but I did feel overall better seeing both Dr Katie and my posture therapist.

Does anyone have any suggestions or advice for newly diagnosed severe adult scoliosis? I am 65 years old with a L-4-L-5 lumbar fusion that’s 9 years old, I am in constant pain, most days and nights. I am on Gabapentin 100 mg twice a day and Norco 7.5 twice a day and none of it helps.

Hello
I was recently diagnosed with severe scoliosis at age 65, I turned down that surgery due to the fact that my Neurosurgeon told me I would be in much worse pain. I am having a very difficult time just dealing with the constant pain and lack of mobility I have all of a sudden.

dmash, scoliosis can come on suddenly when a child has a growth spurt. But is rather a slowly progressive condition as we age. The "sudden" aspect of the lack of mobility and pain makes me wonder if there isn't something else involved. Have you had CT imaging of the fusion hardware. You'd want to make sure that the hardware was still in place that none of the screws had migrated. What degree of scoliosis does the neurosurgeon diagnose as having.
I would try to get the imaging. Imaging and a second opinion.
Meanwhile, you might try getting some relief from a chiropractor.
There are chiropractors that have scoliosis as a specialty, but a general chiropractor can be so helpful.

@dmash3
Sorry to hear about your situation. There should be reason to hope if you can get a qualified opinion from a surgeon who handles spine issues.

I am recovering (3 weeks out) from having a 3-level lumbar fusion, which was done to correct an emerging scoliosis resulting from my leaning for months in daily pain, day and night. The Surgeon recommended this (my second) fusion to alleviate the aching lower back and left leg pain, and to restore my ability to stand up straight (eliminate the bend in my lower spine). I had 2 levels of discs that were nearly gone. This was my fourth spine surgery in past 25 years.

Pain relieving medications can be essential in the short run; but comes a point where a surgical procedure may be called for. Maybe you can look into that, with a Board-certified Orthopedic and/or Neurosurgeon.

Good luck--

@edie2716 I've seen another online PT named Nacole Bradley. Have you heard of, or seen her?

@ccchang no. Where is she located?