Scoliosis - Introduce yourself and meet others

Would you be willing to share more information. I'm planning a full spinal fusion in September and I'm looking for someone that can help me understand what to expect. I'm 56 years old and am suffering from pain and my curvature continues to progress significantly.

I'm a 56 year old female planning a full spinal fusion for scoliosis this fall. I'm looking for someone that can share their experience and help me understand what I can expect for the surgery, recovery and life after. I'm active and hope that I'll be able to resume activities and continue to be active after the recovery.

Hello,
I have 2 vertebrae fused in my neck, and I’m fused from T9 through L5. I spent 1 night in ICU & 2 additional nights in a hospital room. PT came to my room to help with basic functions. Thereafter I was transferred to the hospitals rehab unit. I was there for 7 day & did 3 hours of rehab each day. Upon discharge I continued with OUT-patient PT for about 8 weeks. PT was a key component to my recovery. I feel so much better & live without spinal pain. Also, my spine is straight. I still have challenges (more fatigue & occasional balance problems). I wear more basic shoes & use lumbar pillow in some chairs. My movement is a little slowe (I don’t want to fall, which I have).
My surgeon is still available to me, and that’s a very supportive feeling.
I wish you the best!

Hello @klsteffes and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. Thank you for sharing a little about yourself and your plans for your upcoming spinal fusion. I am sure your are concerned about your ability to return to your normal activities post-operation and I am glad you found this community to help support you on your journey.

I see that @jamaz has already responded to your request to connect to learn more. That said, can you share what type of activities you are hoping to be able to return to?

Hi. I am 69 years old and have Scoliosis and also Tarlov cyst at S2. I am seeing a neurosurgeon this week, who - fingers crossed! - I believe can address both. The scoliosis has progressed from 17 degrees in 1986 to 32 degrees in 2019. The docs I have seen til now say surgery would not be considered until a 45 degree curve. I was fitted with a (very uncomfortable) brace but have never worn it. I have read that a brace is more appropriate for children with scoliosis. Pain is increasing, and my spine is clearly "collapsing", now visible when standing in front of a mirror, ribs "catching" on pelvic bone, etc. My understanding at this point is that I should consider surgery as the very last option because the fusion would be so limiting. So I am interested in others' surgical experiences. Thanks, all. Peace.

I work out with a personal trainer three times a week. I understand that some things we do may need to be modified, but I'm hoping to continue working out. I'm also an avid downhill skier. My surgeon has indicated that he believes I will be able to resume skiing at some point. Other activities include road biking, mountain biking, cross country skiing, water skiing, hiking, running, and golf.

I am a 69 year old female with an S curve - 59 degrees thoracic and 82 degrees dextroscoliosis of lumbar spine with a loss in height of 2 inches. So far my neurosurgeon has recommended a delay in surgery. He considers my pain and activity level in his decision. I exercise and walk every day - averaging at least 10,000 steps per day. I clean my own house and care for a 5 year old grandson five days per week. My pain level is manageable. Occasionally I will have a flare-up in the thoracic spine that puts me to bed with muscle relaxers. Most days the pain is more like an ache that goes away after resting for awhile. I am interested in hearing from other people with scoliosis and how they made their decision to have or not have surgery.

Hello, I'm 67 female. I just had surgery at Ohio State Brain and Spine by a neurosurgeon on March 10, I had thoracic pseudarthosis, loose hardware (from my S1-T10 3 yr old fusion from deg disc and stenosis dx) proximal junctional kyphosis of 38 degrees corrected to 19, had a laminentomy with bone graf and fusion extending my S1 now up to T4. I had lived in pain for 2 1/2 years and this surgery gave me my life back. MRI's did not pick up screws backing out of fusion at T10 or kyphosis complication. Needed a nuclear CT and sideway view scoli xrays

@ohiogirl thank you for sharing your story with @djs51 and others so they might find answers to their own pain. What a wonderful outcome! What have you been doing post-surgery and recovery to take advantage of your reduced pain?

Hello!! Oh I can now take my dog on long walks!! I enjoy driving my Camaro and riding my lawn mower. My energy level is now what is was prior to the pain!!!