What can be done for scoliosis at age 70?

@ginginrummy Hello. I see you are a new Connect member. Welcome! My mom has taken Fosemax for years, but it wasn't so good because she also had a problem with a parathyroid gland that was pulling calcium out of her bones which limits the effectiveness of Fosamax with that condition that was undiagnosed for about 10 years. She did have a fall in her kitchen that resulted in a broken foot and broken pelvis. Most recently, she has seen an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis because hers was severe. I actually think her foot broke just by standing and walking, causing the fall that broke her pelvis. She has also had a spontaneous compression fracture of her spine because of the severe osteoporosis. Since then, She has had a year of injections of Evenity to build bone. I'm not sure what happens next.

Scoliosis can happen from a compression fracture when bones heal in an abnormal curvature, or disc problems can cause the spine to have an abnormal curvature. Have you considered seeing a spine surgeon about your spine or an endocrinologist to prevent the progression of bone loss? Sometimes a back brace is used if back surgery isn't a good option, and that of course depends on how severe the problem is. My mom had a back brace when healing the spine compression fracture because she was not a surgical candidate for a bone cement procedure. It also may be worth asking if your current medications could contribute to bone loss. I'm surprised your doctor would tell you to research Fosamax... wouldn't that be a better question for a doctor to do? This is where an endocrinologist who specializes in osteoporosis would be a good resource for your care.

Thank you! This info helps a lot. I really had no idea where to start or things to think about. I have my annual coming up with my primary and intend to bring it up with her. I will bring my Dexa scan with me but I really felt at a loss as to what questions to ask or what.

I wanted to know if the Mayo Clinic operates for Scoliosis, real severe ones

Is this your first diagnosis of Scoliosis? Is it Adult-onset Scoliosis? Never had it as a child, teen or young adult? Developed rapidly? Curious to determine if yours is same as mine, which went from a straight spine to severe, using a walker, in two years at age 70. Good luck and God bless you!

Hi@reneeksmith,
Yes this was my first diagnosis with scoliosis. My ob/gyn does a Dexa scan every two years. The previous scan had no indication of scoliosis. She showed me the different measurements of the most recent scan with that of the previous. Noted that I am edging into the osteopenia range from the normal range. Suggested I research fosemax and then told me to talk to my primary about scoliosis. Showed me how my spine was twisting to the left. No other suggestions. The little reading I have done on fosemax, Boniva and even prolia show pretty awful side effects. I think fosemax was even taken off the market for a while but there was nothing safer marketed so they(FDA?) allowed it back on market. That doesn’t instill confidence for me. From my reading and understanding, fosemax doesn’t really build bone; it only builds around it. I guess as a support but once you stop taking it the risk of breakage at that point is even greater because of the fosemax. I am not a medical person and my understanding of this may not be correct but it seems that more research and better options from big pharmacy is needed. I am so sorry things went so fast for you. I would like to hear more of your journey if you want to share. Next week I will see my primary. I am also considering OsteoStrong. I have a friend who is going there and she feels like it is helping her.

I have been on Fosamax for less than one year so I haven’t seen any positive effects from it; however, I’ve had no side effects from taking it. My primary, who prescribed it for mild osteoporosis, told me it was safe that enough he prescribes it for his own mother.

I was standing in my living room simply speaking to my daughter when all of a sudden, I was hit with a pain in my upper back that was so unbearable that I was rushed to the Emergency Room and diagnosed with Osteoporosis and had a broken bone in my upper back which required bed rest for 5 months. I did not know I had Scoliosis until I had an MRI of my spine after I recovered from the broken bone in my back. I started having pain in my lower back and right leg so I went to a renowned surgeon and he said I needed surgery for sciatica and spinal stenosis. Before the surgery, the only pain and numbness I had was in my right foot. After the surgery, I could no longer walk without a Rollator and the pain in my back is incredible. When I went back to the surgeon for a check up, I told him I had more pain than before the surgery and that I could walk and drive without any aids and he whispered to his nurse, “I should have listened to everybody who told me not to mess with an old lady! Well, I just turned 85, so I guess I am an old lady but prior to the surgery at 79, I was a happy old lady who could walk, who could dance and who could drive. Now I am an “old lady”who lives alone…can’t drive…, and have to take a cab when I need to go to church or shopping. I have also developed SEVERE pain in three of my toes in my right foot which no one has yet diagnosed. It is so weird. The pain only starts in the evening when I am sitting and watching TV. After reading some of the comments from the Mayo Clinic friends who suffer from the same type of pain, I take Gabapentin which was prescribed for my back pain but I am so off balance the next day that I fear I will fall. I get Prolia shots to strengthen my bones and the last Dexa scan showed that my bones were now in the Osteopenia range but my arm was not so good? I have no idea what that means. However, the Endocrinologist that I am seeing has a son who has joined him in his practice and the son apparently completed his residency at the Mayo Clinic and seems to have a great deal of knowledge about osteoporosis and Prolia, etc. so I am going to try to switch over to him but I don’t know if his father will like that…but I need more information about my condition so wish me luck, my friends!

I am so very sorry this happened to you with this surgeon, what a horrible person to say such a thing, age is a number and you were doing well, comparatively speaking to what your pain in now. …. before he suggested surgery . I also taking prolia , for my bones and it is helping as well, I know I’m not offering much help , maybe a little bit of support and to say you that I think it’s great that you’re going meeting up with the doctor that did his residency at Mayo. I’m sure he’ll offer you some valuable information.. Wishing you good luck and some much needed relief .

Leigh

Hi Yvie
Every minute counts for you. Go see the son. The father is only adding meds to your everyday life, you owe nothing to the father…not good
I do not like Gabapentin, and can make you weak.
I feel for you…take care ❤️

Hi
I had scoliosis since I was born! Never bother me until a few years ago. I was going to get the operation sometime in 2016 as my curve is pretty bad. I had signed for the operation. Never heard back. As the years passed I was already limited on the foot wear I could walk…No big deal, could be worth…I started having small pain here and there if I walked any distant. I happen to suffer a right shoulder & arm pain which brought me to the Dr I see today. Long story short he check my scoliosis and couldn’t believe it. We decided to get a brace made to keep some parts of my right side from falling…my pelvis has, drop, my ribs..so on…after wearing the brace for about three months..it made worth…Pain started on the right side of my waist line itself…the only way I get receive is putting ice packs right at the waist itself…can’t go for no long walk….my scoliosis measures at 72 0n the left and 55.3 on the right. It’s as crocked as it can be…need an operation ASAP and it seems like I’m going to be going to the US….if possible…..I can still walk and I am still positive😁 just want to know if someone has had that operation. Rita