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

I have severe thoracolumbar scoliosis, diagnosed at about age 60 and (initially) rapidly progressive. My neurosurgeon recommended surgery but also was realistic about it (I would never be pain free; and the surgery and recuperation were very significant and difficult). I opted instead to try non-invasive methods (yoga, particularly courses designed for scoliosis) and strength training and have done both almost daily since then. Eventually my spine curvature plateaued and even got a little better, and, per my neurosurgeon, sort of fibrosed into place. I'm glad I chose this route but recognize that surgery might be an appropriate option for others.

I as well, have adult scoliosis. The hardware in my spine from a L5-S1 fusion in 2014 at UCSF is placing pressure on the curvature, is what the MRI's suggest. I have been advised scoliosis surgery is very difficult, and the rehab is up to nine months. It would ruin my psych. I am extremely active, playing tennis 5-6 days a week, weights, pickleball, hike, bike and walk. All I can do is stay strong and fit. I am curious from the bloggers who have had scoliosis surgery in their 60's, and their outcome.

About 4 yrs ago I was seen by a ortho MD who does back pain treatment including injections under flurascopy.
When he told me I had scoliosis I had been diagnosed years ago plus disc disease...He said "no not a little, people with your degree of scoliosis are in a wheelchair" I said "I work full time and exercise routinely. With little to moderate pain." Since then I have had back injection which has lasted almost a year. I have upcoming appointment for assessment since this last one done in January not lasting. I have numbness in right foot that is annoying but will usually calm down when I lay down. I do PT exercises with light weights, rubber band for upper body. I walk as much as time and pain allows. No prolonged sitting which is usually on something padded- prolonged walking or standing and changing positions helps. Tylenol helps. Movement helps within reason, yoga once per week. Add chiropractor once per week, massage once per month. Have lost 3 to 4 inches in height. Usually wear loose top. sit with back rest and pillow underneath me at home. Some kind of exercise or weight daily. Occasionally NSAID. I do take supplements plus gabapentin/requip for restless leg until recently . I have a great rheumatologist so she heads the pain mgm with orthopedist back injections. "Motion is your lotion!" ortho says. Thinking about appointment with physical therapist does concentration on back pain. I am aiming for no wheelchair.

I failed to say, in my first post above, that I am now 69 years old and still quite active 9 years after my diagnosis. I experienced exactly what @manshanp described including the dismal prognosis of a wheelchair, and that propels me to stay active, stretched and moving every single day.

Hi, I had T1 through pelvis six months ago. I am 67 female. I was told I would be in a wheelchair. I was very active before the surgery, but I didn’t want to take the chance I went to three doctors. It’s a long recovery. But I think it’s totally worth it because, I want to be active into my later years. My curve was 49 but then I think I had another curve too.

Hello. Thank you for sharing your story. I also have significant disc degeneration. I am very active as well. I feel like the decision is not if I have it, but when. Can I ask who did your surgery?

I had a complete spinal revision from the very base of my spine to the neck, which is above the shoulders. I don't know the exact location letters or numbers. I had two surgeons do the surgery, a left handed neurosurgeon and a right handed orthopedic surgeon- Dr. Darrell Hanson here in Houston. Dr. Hanson only does scoliosis surgeries which can also include the neck. I had three curves that needed correction, and I now have a metal supported spine. I will upload photos at a later date. I was told right before the surgery that I could expect to have the spine only move by a 20% correction. I had a 74% curve on one side that caused the ribs to protrude to that side, then a 74% curve below my waist headed forward- which created a huge sway, and last a 60% curve in my upper back.
I exercised daily, using Pilates reformer in a class, I have a PT flatform that is low, and I used this daily with a Franklin ball ( green ball on Amazon) to stretch and relax all the back, neck, buttock muscles, etc.- a 20 minutes daily routine, which actually makes you feel much better! . When they measured my spine in my first follow up visit, my center back curve had moved 40% to 34! All the stretching and exercise really does make a difference. My surgery was two years ago this month and I am 75 years old! I spent two weeks in the hospital, I cannot take regular narcotics- so I was given Ketamine IG in the ICI and then just a fentanyl IV during the 12 days I was on the second IV. The fentanyl IV only last one hour but if you add the fentanyl patch you will be just fine. There is not the pain that you might be worried about. They might be cutting and reconnecting your nerves so your feeling will be less due to the nerve work. I have no feeling in the center of my back today, but I can feel pressure. Your body will change shape and be a bit thicker due to the installed metal. You can still wear the same size clothes. I went home after two weeks but needed round the clock care for the first seven days and then 12-hour care for another week. The out-of-pocket care cost me about 5500. I was told I would need a four-month recovery, but I went back to work after two and a half months. I am now planning to have the scoliosis corrected in my neck, where my neck will be fused. Also, after the surgery you can exercise again, and I started this home exercises, then moved to a trainer who gave me approved exercises. I am happy to answer any questions that you or others might have. I am so glad I finally had the surgery; I had been afraid and wearing this hot brace for years before the surgery. I also have had toes that keep curving, and now am having my third set of toe surgeries this time they have added screws in the toes so they will no longer curve! Does anyone else have an issue with the toes?

I used to be 5' 4", I am now 4'11", I gained back two inches after the surgery but it disappeared after the surgery and I am again 4' 11". Happy I had this surgery!

interesting on both your surgeries, with the outcomes.
I have scoliosis, stenosis, spondiliothesis, and DDD. A fusion from L5-S1 was in 2014, yet the hardware in the spine is lending towards more scoliosis. I exercise daily, play competitive tennis, play pickleball, hike, bike, lift weights and walk, about 6 days a week. Thank you for sharing your rehab after surgery, as I am worried when and if the time comes (age: 69) the rehab would ruin my psych. It was encouraging to hear you termed your rehab in 2.5 months and returned to work. All I can do is keep the core strong. I also have an Abbott spinal cord stimulator, and that has helped the pain where the curvature begins. That was implanted 2/23.

if your scoliosis is progressive, and you have trouble standing without a brace, then you should be seeing two scoliosis surgeons every 6 to 12 months for new x-rays and updates on a realistic opinion.
You are still younger than average because you exercise daily. Better to do the surgery when you are younger than older like me.