Has anyone here had any kind of back surgery for scoliosis or Kyphosis?

Question

I have Scheuermann's kyphosis and wore a brace for a year and it did not help. I have a 63 degree curve and my doctor says that it is not enough to have surgurey just yet. I am really self consious about it. Any advice?

If I decide I want the surgery he said he could do it. My parents don't think I should. I am really worried about the pain and the recovering.

Answer 1

My girlfriend had surgery for scoliosis about 3 years ago. I would honestly be less concerned about the look of your condition than the long term health effects. In her case the curve in her spine was life threatening, over about 5-10 more years the curve would have crushed her internal organs. I guess if it was my choice it would come down to the question of weather or not the problem was going to get worse as you get older. It may not be life threatening right now but if it could be life threatening and/or get worse in 10 or more years then I would recommend dealing with it now. It's going to be a lot easier to fix this problem in it's current form and your current health than in some much more severe condition later in your life.

Also keep in mind that this kind of surgery, even with medical insurance is going to be extremely expensive. Chances are your medical insurance isn't going to cover 100% of the costs and your parents will be stuck with several thousand dollars in other expenses. So, discuss it with them and make sure that you can afford it at the current time.

As far as pain and recovery. The pain is severe and you will be on a lot of serious drugs for the first few weeks. It does subside with time, however until then you have to be willing to work with the pain. You will most likely have a physical therapist and they are going to expect you to start trying to move pretty early after the surgery and it's going to hurt but you do need to do it. After about 3 months my girlfriend was fully functional again with very minimal pain. After a couple of years now the pain is non-existant, however she does find some inconveniences such as not being able to bend over to pick things up and not being able to sleep on her stomach.

Best wishes with whatever your choice is. :)

Answer 2

Surgery promises much, but only sometimes hits the mark. There are no guarantees with surgery. One has surgery to correct a malady. That is the hope, the expected outcome, the dream please come true. It is never the expectation of the patient that the surgery makes things worse. Yet that could very well happen. Surgery is extremely risky. Your parents feel the pain of your unhappiness, and your doctor empathizes, but they know the risks and don't want you to face those risks unless you really have to face them. They do want you happy and would take your malady on themselves to free you of it. Now if you do decide to have the surgery, find out everything about it before you decide. How much will surgery correct the 63 degree curve? If only a little bit, is it worth it to you? Is is possible to be corrected to normal or close to it? If surgery is such a risk, then the reward must be worth the risk. Find out the Surgeon's expectation of the surgery. Very important to get one you instinctively like. Don't be afraid to depart from a physician you don't feel comfortable with. God bless you.

Answer 3

Sheuermann's Kyphosis is a bit different from idiopathic scoliosis...they just group them together because the case may or may not be the same...

Surgery is usually recommended beyond 70 degrees. Good rehab programs to strengthen your back extensors would help. People in your curve range usually lead normal life without any problems...so don't worry.

Answer 4

It may not get worse, but it sure isn't going to get any better, and chronic back pain isn't easy to live with. I'd see a couple of surgeons that specialize in back surgery and get their opinion as to what you ought to do. The longer you wait, the more difficult the surgery would be. The final decision would be up to you, but at least get some valid diagnoses from competent medical specialists. Good luck.

Answer 5

If you are a good person, the curve of your back is only a problem for narrow minded people, the ones who judge you on appearance alone - and there opinion is not worth the time it takes to think it through. Just be a good person and live your life the best you can.

Answer 6

It's pretty big surgery, but if the angulation is great enough it may become worth doing, because either option will be unpalatable, and the surgery may become the lesser evil.