Anyone have scoliosis surgery after age 60? Outcome?

Hi Leslie, I’m 62 with severe scoliosis. I was diagnosed at 12 years old. I wore a brace about 5 years. 3 years of 23 hrs per day and 2 years of nights only. When my first doctor mentioned surgery, my parents took me to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester for an evaluation. They prescribed an intense fitness program. PT with ballet and proper nutrition. None of which ended the pain long term, but my parents were terrified of surgery. My parents then added chiropractors into the treatment and the relief was immediate. If I had followed the regimen exactly I would have done much better. Over the years, I have gone back and forth on whether to go through with the surgery. I’ve gotten different opinions from various doctors including a neurologist and the overall consensus has been not to get the surgery. However, there are so many factors, I have osteopenia which comes with other serious risk. I did consult with a Neurosurgeon who advised me against any surgery. He said surgery should be my absolute last resort. This means, when nothing else works and it’s become absolutely necessary. I just recommend that you get input from the Mayo or else get multiple opinions from various doctors who deal with the spine. My best input has been from doctors who weren’t surgeons. That being said, I would pray on this and do your own research. Surgeon’s will tell you that it’s a must do, but when you ask them what the possible complications are they sometimes change their opinions. Praying for you to make a decision that brings you peace.

Have any of you ever worn a specially made brace for severe scoliosis that becomes very uncomfortable? The doctor periodically trims it to eliminate the pressure and pain it causes. This is the situation of my SIL. Currently, my family member’s hips hurt due to it pressing on the pelvic area. She’s desperate for relief. I told her I’d look around for any tips. I think she’s been in the Scoliosis website.

She is almost 60 and had spine surgery about 20 years ago where she got rods in her back. It worked pretty well until about 7 years ago and the curve has grown to a very severe point. Her pain is indescribable, but she stays very active and does all her housework plus caring for grandchildren. It’s amazing.

She’s consulted many top places, neurologists, etc. and was always told surgery was required. Now….I’m not sure it’s still viable. Anyway, she’s doing exercises, stretching and wearing the brace. Doctor visits are out of pocket. Is the brace even an option at a certain point?

I feel very helpless. She’s a super great person. Seems options are limited. Thanks.

@kennys1957
Did you receive the second opinion from Mayo? What is your prognosis today?
After imaging, pain management, along with PT, I had an appointment with the ortho spine doctor yesterday. He would like to progress with the surgery, but I told him not yet. Not until I have significant pain, and cannot enjoy the sports I love.

@vikkitennis Hi! I have not heard back from Mayo AZ. I need to reach out and find out what is up. Otherwise, I am still planning on having this done in January at Barrow. Here's what I've learned-- although I have been working on strengthening, and my back is feeling better (fewer and short-lasting injuries), there is no doubt that this is never going to be better without intervention and in fact, will continue to get worse with time. If I had one do-over, I would have had the surgery done when first proposed by Mayo Rochester. Every year matters more in the recovery.

@kennys1957 thank you for the time to reply to me.
Yesterday’s appointment with a Dr. Dhillon at Ortho AZ (Dr. Ganish TKR 2017, since then, I try to use their doctors) highly recommended me for surgery from T1-S1: which frightened the hell out of me.
I am very active, if I hadn’t mentioned this to you, play on a 4.0 tennis team, play on two pickleball teams, walk, hike, bike and lift weights. I told Dr. Dhillon it would ruin my psych if I had to be laid up for six months. My husband and I travel a lot, and have trips into October 2027.
I will know when the time comes, and if the pain is too severe. I know I will not be the tennis player I am today after the surgery, He mentioned I wouldn’t be as flexible and mobile..
meanwhile I consulted the PA with a Dr. Kalini from Mayo in Phoenix. I wasn’t impressed with the PA: he didn’t know about the type of PT called Schroth and basically dismissed me about my concern for scoliosis. I hope you have better luck.
Please keep us informed on your progress.

@celia16 There is an effective Physical Therapy method called Schroth Method, however, it is a specialized PT so it's not available everywhere. I have scoliosis and luckily found ONE woman who does this in my area and had a lot of luck with it. Problem was, she had so many people needing it, I couldn't get an appointment as often as I needed it. The PT was developed in Germany in the late 1800s by a woman named Schroth who had scoliosis herself. It took a while to be accepted, as you can imagine, and to get to the US. Google it and you may find some PT's in the family member's area that can help her.

@celia16 I had scoliosis surgery at age 76, 21 months ago.I have titanium rods and screws T4 to Pelvis, 17 vetebrae. I am very happy with the outcome. I went from life altering, debilitating pain to having an actual life again. As in walking, sitting for long periods, exercising. I have practically no pain. Neck and shoulders have had to adjust, but that is discomfort not pain. The recovery period is long and challenging but worth it in my experience. I went to Dr. Alekhos Theologis at UCSF San Francisco. He is phenomenal. He gave me back a life I can enjoy again.

@hauser1
Thank you for your story and results with the scoliosis surgery and outcome.
It pleases me to know at age 76 you had this surgery and are well and happy.
I had L5-S1 spinal fusion at UCSF December 2014 with a Dr. Praveen Mummaneni. Unfortunately, above the fusion, the lumbars above it are settling and causing the scoliosis to sway more. I will know when the time is right to have scoliosis surgery, as in pain level, understanding I won't be the athlete I am today.

@hauser1 Welcome to Connect. I am glad you had a great outcome from your scoliosis surgery. Would you mind sharing what you did to contribute to that success? Did you go through rehab or walk a lot to rebuild strength?

I am a spine patient too, but with a much smaller surgery of a cervical fusion.

@vikkitennis while it seems that the specialty-surgical community does not seem to endorse Schroth, it is a bit disconcerting for a PA in this specialty to be unaware of it. My research was basic but one of the dealbreakers for me was involvement in the Scoliosis Research Society. This led me to consider Barrow Brain & Spine (Affiliated with Dignity Health and based on the St. Joseph campus). While I prefer the Mayo "System", I have not found the right folks in AZ to take an interest as a second opinion. I may turn to Mayo Rochester as they were who first proposed this surgery when I lived up there. Your concerns about the recovery and your ability to return to all of the activities you have seem very well-founded. Yours does not seem to be the usual case as many of us cannot participate in those activities at all prior to surgery and thus won't miss anything by not being able to participate after. I wish you great luck in solving this!