Who has scoliosis? Have you had the surgery? Please Help!?

Question

I'm considering surgery for my very crooked back. I'm of course scared. I have a questions that my doctor hasn't seemed to answer for me...What do you look like after the surgery? Are you as stiff as a board? Can you move, possibly bend at all? Can you have sex? Lift your newborn out of the bassinet? Can you carry children with these metal rods fused to the spine? DOES ANYONE KNOW OF NEW PROCEDURES BEING DONE? If so where do I go? Anyone?

Answer 1

After the surgery, you will have grown taller since about 10 degrees would have been corrected from the original curve (depends on how daring is your doctor). Anyway, you will look the same in front. Your back will have a long scar depending on how many levels your doctor fused. You will probably be a little stiff at the beginning but gradually your body will adapt to the fusion in your spine. Yes, you can still have sex and bear children and care for them, of course within your limitations. My niece had Harrington rods placed on her spine with spinal fusion for scoliosis about 30 years back. She finished college, got a job, got married with three children. What more can you ask? New instrumentations are being done now aside from the Harington rods which are quite rigid. You need to see a good orthopedic surgeon who specializes in scoliosis for appropriate treatment. Make sure he knows what he is doing. Ask around first. As for your current doctor-well, I don't see why he couldn't answer the questions you posed here. Maybe you need another one?

Answer 2

I was diagnosed to have slight scoliosis at my early 20's now im 28, exactly tomorrow. When the doctor told me I was having such spinal disorder I was a bit scared but she explained to me that there should nothing to worry about, I wont undergo any surgery but I need to do something to prevent it from getting more serious. So she adviced me to always sit down and stand up straight with my chin up, dont sleep on very soft bed, a wood bed would be better, take in calcium rich foods especially milk.
But in your case I am not so sure of the effects after surgery since you mentioned you have very crooked back that will really need a surgery. Try to approach other surgeons, dont stick to only one since they may vary suggestions. Good luck.

Answer 3

There is a very famous doctor who has done lots of work all over the world. He opened up a spine center for scoliosis in Africa. He also works here mainly in the US. I can't remember his name, but do some searching on the internet and you should find him. African man, very nice. He is the most experienced surgeon of corrective spine procedures in the world. Has an amazing success rate even with patients who have the worst documented spines exceeding 127 degree deformation. Please try it with him.

Answer 4

I have it also. A friend of mine had the metal rod down her back in her teenage years. Let me check the web because there is stuff for the adult person.