Scoliosis

Hi, I have scoliosis so severe that doctors had difficulty inserting 2 leads for pain control. I had a total hip replacement 2 years ago and all is well. Maybe I don't understand, but what does one have to do with the other? Why would you need spine surgery to get a new hip? I've had 2 Harrington rods & 6 screws inserted to stabilize my back, but neither helped. Last October 2020 I had a Nevro pain blocker implanted in my left flank with 2 leads to both sides of my spine. There are many settings on my remote, and I am now about 70% pain free.

I also was puzzled by the way the question was posed, so it isn’t just you.

Wonderful that you are having so much relief from your stimulator. I have a Medtronics one and it has really helped me a lot!

How much on a 1-10 scale has your pain decreased? Has your activity level increased with the stimulator?

I also have scoliosis and at 70 have been through PT so many times I can't count. I was told 40 yrs ago I needed surgery and thankfully I declined. I have been active all my life and at this time am feeling things I never did before. I walk 3-4 miles every morning and that is one of the best reliefs I can do. My back is not in pain like it had been years ago but I am experiencing some leg pain especially in the morning getting out of bed. I believe it is related to the hip. Have not been to a doctor in a while. Guess I am not trusting the medical environment these days but this Mayo Clinic page sure gives some interesting perspectives on what everyone is experiencing.

@mc2230 Good for you! 40 years ago, spine surgery was not as refined as it is today. If your scoliosis didn't affect you in adverse ways, you must have made a good choice. Walking is so good for health in many ways. If hips are not level, and perhaps with scoliosis, they may not be because of compensation, it may cause back pain. I don't have scoliosis, but I have a pelvis that sometimes gets a bit out of alignment. My PT has shown me ways to correct that when it happens.

Good day! Has anyone had spinal fusion for Scoliosis? After 50 plus years of progressive scoliosis I am now contemplating surgery. I am VERY active, however hiking is getting more difficult when there is significant elevation. Pretty fine when the hike is flatter.

Curious for hear from folks that have had the procedure.

@paltavilla1 scoliosis surgery for people over 50 is non a common practice. The degree of the curve may be a factor but trying to reverse long term damage from years of scoliosis is unrealistic. Maybe having this type of surgery when younger would have served you better. I suggest you obtain more than one surgical opinion regarding surgery. I’ve had scoliosis since birth primarily lumber spine with a compensating curve in my thoracic spine. Mine is 20 degrees lumbar and 22 degrees thoracic. It has improved over the years with exercise and PT guidance. At 73 I’m not looking for more surgery. Yes it’s painful mostly in thoracic area and pain meds and exercise helps me maintain.

I am 67. My curves when first diagnosed at 12 were 25 thoracic and 28 lumbar. Today they are 67 thoracic and 74 lumbar. Needless to say with this degree of curves there are many other underlying issues.

I appreciate your idea of getting a second opinion!! Thanks

Good Morning,

I am turning 67 tomorrow and will be having spinal surgery and Bilateral S.I. Joint fusion on May 13th and May 14th.

I was first diagnosed with slight Scoliosis when I was 9, and began physical therapy. In addition to PT, from approx.13 to 16 years old, I wore a Milwaukee Back Brace for 3 years. The Orthopedic doctor released me from his care and I thought everything would be fine for the rest of my life.

At the age of 19, my older sister was working in a physical therapy office at a local hospital and observed many Scoliosis patients that were in severe pain. Although I had no pain and was loving life, at the suggestion of the head of the PT department, I saw Dr. John King, the top Scoliosis surgeon in So. California at that time.

In looking back at my prior x-rays, Dr. King observed that my Scoliosis continued to worsen over the years without being detected by the prior Orthopedic doctor.
At the age of 19, my thoracic curve was 74 and my lumbar curve was 46. Dr. King, stated that if I did not have a spinal fusion, by the time I was 24, I would be confined to a wheelchair due to pulmonary and cardiac problems resulting from the anticipated progression of my Scoliosis.
I decided, along with my family, to proceed with the surgery.

At such a young age, they were able to place me in traction to straighten out my back as much as possible, before surgery. (12 days) The upper curve was reduced to 47 and I don't recall the number for the lower curve. I was fused from T2 to L2, and a Harrington Rod was implanted. The fusion was a success and still is. I have not had any problems in that section of my spine.

Unfortunately, as the years passed the vertebrae below the fusion have taken a lot of wear and tear I have a multitude of issues under the heading "Adult Spinal Degenerative Disease". (Bulging Disc, Stenosis, DDD, arthrosis, spondylolisthesis, lateral listhesis, many perineural cysts, Bertolotti's, etc.)
Up until 2022, I was able to manage my back pain with physical therapy exercises. What use to help, doesn't help now. In addition to back pain, I also began to have sporadic nerve pain, which is now constant.

I am having my surgeries at Mayo Clinic, Rochester. On day one, Dr. Cross will be doing a Bi-lateral Sacroilliac Fusion, and, on Day two, Dr. Fogelson will be doing a Lumbosacral Spinal Fusion.

Post Surgery, once I am able to, I'll try to let everyone know how I am progressing.

My word of advice to you "paltavilla1," is to seek out the best Scoliosis specialists in your area and get a second opinion. Always ask how many cases like yours the doctor has treated? What is their success rate? What is the risk of paralysis? Other Risks and their rate of occurrence? What should you expect? What are your options? What does success look like for you? (Teaching universities are a good place to start. The Scoliosis Research Society has a listing of doctors that concentrate at least 20% of their practice on patients with spinal deformities.) Although I live in California, given the complexity of my case, I chose to go to Mayo Clinic and to two doctors that have seen many patients like me.

My T2 to L2 surgery did not restrict me from the things that I love to do--hike, bike, and swim. In contrast, after my next surgery, as I do not want to risk the consequence of falling, I will not be biking and hiking. Fortunately, I live near the beach, and will be able to do plenty of beach walks.

Best Wishes to you and all of whom are experiencing Orthopedic challenges.
Nadine

Surgery is one option. My wife (69 years old) attended the Scoliosis Chiropractic Center in Celebration Florida in January. On arriving her scoliosis curve was mid 30%. After 2 weeks treatment including getting fitted for a brace, her scoliosis curve decreased to 23% and her pain symptoms decreased measurably. After wearing the brace for over 2 months and following the exercise regime daily, she looks great, has excellent musculetal bone and spine structure with bulging shoulder, back and hips muscles. Her movement and agility is at least 45% improved - a completely different person. In another month she will be measured again and my money is on the curve being decreased to 15% to 18%. For us, this alternative makes great sense as opposed to being laid up for over a year and stiff for the rest of her life after the insertion of a metal rod in her back with the old fashioned spine surgery.