Doc recommends spinal fusion from T12 - S1.

@celia16 I have done a lot of myofascial release for several years. It helps problems that are caused by overly tight fascia and scar tissue and I have benefited from it. It doesn't fix scoliosis, but I have known patients with scoliosis who felt better doing this. I am a cervical spine surgery patient.

Usually scoliosis surgery is an instrumented fusion where rods are placed on each side of the spine and screwed to the vertebrae. It can be a big surgery and long recovery time. Some of the issues with severe scoliosis can be pressure on the heart or lungs that interferes with functions. My surgeon at Mayo is a deformity expert and does scoliosis surgeries.

You may find this discussion helpful.

Spine Health - "Severe scoliosis"
https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/severe-scoliosis-1/

I think speaking with a counselor may help in addressing the fear. I know this is a big surgery and it is hard to confront fear. I went through that too even though my surgery was a single level fusion.

Jennifer

@sassytwo and @jenniferhunter I am in an almost identical situation as you. I was amazed at the similarity. I am 73, male, had L5 S1 fusion 18 months ago, successful, and I resumed normal activity after. Now I am facing L5-T11 multi level fusion. Can't remain standing more than 15 minutes, at most. Like you, pain goes away when sitting. My surgeon is said to be among the best in the area, but will seek out 2nd opinion. Since surgery will not be until February, I am returning to my pain management doctor for epidural injection which has helped me in the past, to get some relief in the interim. Insurance co also wants me to do 6 wks PT, which I think is a waste of time. If I could just get epidurals every few months, I could live with it, but insurance companies limit to no more than 3 per year, and it's always an unknown how long relief will last after each shot. My wife says all this would do is delay the inevitable (surgery), making recovery more difficult as I age further. For other professionals viewing this post, here are some extractions from top of my most recent MRI:
1. Left paracentral disc extrusion at L1-2 demonstrating superior migration severely effacing the left lateral recess.
2. Right paracentral disc extrusion at L1-2 demonstrating inferior migration contributing to moderate spinal canal stenosis. Concomitant disc bulge, facet arthropathy and thickening of the ligamentum flavum. Moderate left neural foraminal narrowing is present as well.
3. Right foraminal disc extrusion at L3-4 superimposed on a posterior disc osteophyte complex resulting in severe right foraminal narrowing. Moderate left neural foraminal narrowing present.
4. Severe bilateral neural foraminal narrowing at L4-5.
5. Moderate right neural foraminal narrowing at L5-S1.'
6. Severe left and moderate right Neural foraminal narrowing at L2-3.
Although I am not a doctor, I can at least glean from this top summary that there appears to be issues at each of the L levels. I feel like if I I knew about the potential for further deterioration after my first surgery, I would not have reengaged in "all back to normal activity" in the absence of pain.

Did you have the fusion?

No, my pain was from a ruptured L1-L2 disc and it went away in about 8 weeks. My 2nd opinion surgeon recommended against any surgery and suggested let your pain level be your guide on any decision to undergo surgery. So with only a pain level of occasional 1 or 2 on a scale of 10, I am just doing exercises to keep my back healthy and avoiding triggers that would aggravate my recent disc rupture.

I had some of my lumbar spine fused and decompressed in 2011.
I just had the rest of my lumbar spine decompressed where applicable and fused the remainder of it including S1. So my L spine is fused L1-S1. My neck is partially surgically fused (2011) and now imaging shows the rest has “autofused” itself! 😳 So my body beat the surgeon to it…
I have chronic neck pain. My back feels great. 🤞

Hi @sassytwo, you are a dynamo! I have degenerative disc disease and a previous (2011) spinal fusion at L3-5. Unfortunately I also required 2 artificial disc, a cage, and 4 facet screws. The surgery was completely successful but I have had little to no improvement in my low back pain despite the surgery. My outcome may be worse because of the hardware but as you know, it cannot be reversed. Your current mobility sounds great so I would be sure to ask about the worse case scenario.

Unfortunately, when PMR started for me in 2022 (diagnosed in March 2023), I was forced to retire at age 63 just because I could no longer travel, stand to do trainings, walk long distances or provide some of the on site support that my job required. It sounds like our circumstances are vastly different but be sure you have a clear idea of options if the surgery does not improve pain. I have discovered that I have very sensitive nerves and it took almost a year to get them to calm down despite using both an Ortho and Neurologist to perform my surgery. I hope this is helpful info and please know that I will be sending some good wishes and prayers up for your procedure. Blessings! ❤️

Hello,
It sound like we have some similar issues and would like your input. Is your back still feeling great? I've had a fusion at L3 to L5 for 6 years. It's doing well but problems started at L2,L1 and T12 shortly after that procedure. Had 2 failed laminectomies at T12/L1 in 2019 and 2020. I've seen 4 doctors since and none will do any thing less than an entire lumbar fusion. I'm still working part time and just wondering about how I will be able to get around after such a procedure. I'm also fused from C3 to T1. Thank you for your post.