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Doctor said I'm past the age for sugery?? Need advice + Questions

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  • Doctor said I'm past the age for sugery?? Need advice + Questions

    A brief introduction/background as I am new to this forum.

    I am 27 year old male with a good health history besides my scoliosis. About 2 years ago I went to the emergency room with pneumonia and found out I had scroliosis from the xrays they performed. Back then I didn't really pay any attention to it since I felt like I was going to die from the pneumonia.

    Fast forward two years later. Since then I have taken up the hobby of working out and lifting weights and have had numerous back and shoulder issues for I didn't know what reason. A few of my friends pointed out that I lift weights with uneven movement from my arms as if one arm was a few inches longer than the other. This caused a lot of wear and tear unevenly with my shoulders/arms/torso which left me with a lot of pain/injuries that I never went to the doctor for (stupidly I admit). I also started to noticed that I generally walk around uneven, with my torso slightly bent to the right and my back slightly arched back. I knew this subcontiously all along but never really linked it to my scoliosis until I went and did some research on it.

    Sure enough, all my symptoms matched with severe scroliosis. Uneven shoulders, tilted torso, back shoulder pains from lifting weight, and you are a few inches shorted than what you should be (I am very short for a man). I also have neck pain that comes and goes on the right side of my next, I think thats from my constant slight lean to the right. I also have really bad posture.


    Now, on to today. I had a doctors appointment regarding my scrolosis and he examed me with my shirt off and had me move my arms into various positions. He confirmed all of what I said above. He said I definately had considerable scroliosis and that body/shoulders are tilted. He coudn't tell how bad it was from just looking and he sent me to go get xrays.

    Here is the kicker, he said that I am past the age for sugery and that he'll refer me to a physical therapist and decide how to proceed with theraphy based off how bad it is when he gets the xray results back (in 1-2 weeks).

    What? How am I too old for sugery? After reading this forum for a bit, I am seeing that people are getting surgerys into their 50's. I'm a young man in my late 20's. How is this possible? Do I need to be refered to a back/spine specialist?

    This scolosis has been a nightmare for me the past 2 years with the constant injury and pain. I want this completely over and done with permantly with surgery, not to mention I can finally fix my poor posture and my very short height.

    Any help would be appretiated.

  • #2
    hey Im sydnie I am 13 ,
    Yous said that you cant have the surgery sense your to old well the only reason you cant have it is because your done growing for the time right noiw but when you get older you change size I am guess that why they get the surgery but if you ask the docter why you cant have the surgery I am positive thats what he will tell you . I am soo sorry to hear you had to go to the emergeny room ! I hope everything goes good for you I will pray for you that every thing is gona be great . I am sorry about your scoliosis!

    Sincerly,
    Sydnie
    [COLOR="Cyan"]59 degree curve birth
    110 degree curve now
    Sydnie SueAnn ^.^ Always open to help xo

    Comment


    • #3
      Originally posted by Curious293 View Post
      Here is the kicker, he said that I am past the age for surgery
      This is fallacious.

      The only way you will get proper treatment is to find a scoliosis specialist. Here is a list...

      http://www.srs.org/find/

      Good luck.
      Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

      No island of sanity.

      Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
      Answer: Medicine


      "We are all African."

      Comment


      • #4
        Sharon is right on. I had surgery at age (drum roll please) 67 years young.
        Sally
        Diagnosed with severe lumbar scoliosis at age 65.
        Posterior Fusion L2-S1 on 12/4/2007. age 67
        Anterior Fusion L3-L4,L4-L5,L5-S1 on 12/19/2007
        Additional bone removed to decompress right side of L3-L4 & L4-L5 on 4/19/2010
        New England Baptist Hospital, Boston, MA
        Dr. Frank F. Rands735.photobucket.com/albums/ww360/butterflyfive/

        "In God We Trust" Happy moments, praise God. Difficult moments, seek God. Quiet moments, worship God. Painful moments, trust God. Every moment, thank God.

        Comment


        • #5
          Originally posted by loves to skate View Post
          Sharon is right on. I had surgery at age (drum roll please) 67 years young.
          Sally
          Yes Sally I think you have the record for this group.
          Sharon, mother of identical twin girls with scoliosis

          No island of sanity.

          Question: What do you call alternative medicine that works?
          Answer: Medicine


          "We are all African."

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by Pooka1 View Post
            This is fallacious.

            The only way you will get proper treatment is to find a scoliosis specialist. Here is a list...

            http://www.srs.org/find/

            Good luck.
            Thank you for the link Sharon. I did a search and it seems there are plenty of specialist in my area.

            Do you guys know how insurance will work if I go outside of my provider? I am insured with Kaiser and none of the specialist listed work for Kaiser.

            Comment


            • #7
              Curious293, your story sounds like my story. I never new I had scoliosis until last year. I work in law enforcement and I am 38 years old. I weight lifted everyday, sometimes twice a day. I knew that my back was one of my weakest muscles but didn't think it was bad. I had severe back pain and went to doctors who just did a visual check. My muscles had compensated for my scoliosis and the muscles grew larger on one side. Three doctors didn't find it and just prescribed tylenol and said it was old age. I kept having back pain for five years, so finally went to a fourth doctor, who sent me to get x-rays. That is where they found the scoliosis, 57 degree curve. This all happened last year in August (2009). I was scared for me and my family, because my income was at risk. Doctor's now were telling me that I couln't be a cop anymore. Had surgery on December 9th, 2009 and I m 4 month post op. I feel great and my surgeon said that we would talk about returning to work at our next appointment. I don't know wha that means, but it sounded like he might give me the green light. I have been a cop for 17 years, so dont know anything else. But did not waste my time while I was out there and got my Bacheors, Masters and PHD. I really want to return to the gym to get huge like My Governor in California!! I disagree!! Your not too old!! Go see another surgeon!!

              rich

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by rich1752 View Post
                Curious293, your story sounds like my story. I never new I had scoliosis until last year. I work in law enforcement and I am 38 years old. I weight lifted everyday, sometimes twice a day. I knew that my back was one of my weakest muscles but didn't think it was bad. I had severe back pain and went to doctors who just did a visual check. My muscles had compensated for my scoliosis and the muscles grew larger on one side. Three doctors didn't find it and just prescribed tylenol and said it was old age. I kept having back pain for five years, so finally went to a fourth doctor, who sent me to get x-rays. That is where they found the scoliosis, 57 degree curve. This all happened last year in August (2009). I was scared for me and my family, because my income was at risk. Doctor's now were telling me that I couln't be a cop anymore. Had surgery on December 9th, 2009 and I m 4 month post op. I feel great and my surgeon said that we would talk about returning to work at our next appointment. I don't know wha that means, but it sounded like he might give me the green light. I have been a cop for 17 years, so dont know anything else. But did not waste my time while I was out there and got my Bacheors, Masters and PHD. I really want to return to the gym to get huge like My Governor in California!! I disagree!! Your not too old!! Go see another surgeon!!

                rich
                Wow, I agree a very similar story and I'm happy to know you have a happy ending to your dilemma and glad you're going back to work soon. I also like you live in California

                Luckily for me though my job does not require physical labor so my work won't be impacted if I have surgery. How long did it take you to recover after surgery for you to be able to walk around and such? Also how long until you were able to go back to the gym?

                Comment


                • #9
                  Hi Curious
                  dont know what kind of a doctor told you that you are too old...but that is totally false...scoli surgerons operate every day on folks age 5-75! my doctor told me he has patients in their 70's! soooo...please dont believe anything that doctor told you!!

                  there are places where you can find the names of excellent scoli specialists...who actually know what they are talking about!

                  jess

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    It never ceases to amaze me what Dr.'s who either aren't well-educated in scoliosis or just don't want to deal with it will tell people. I understand that you want to pursue conservative treatment if at all possible and avoid surgery. However, that age thing he told you is totally bogus. Get yourself evaluated by a good adult scoli specialist.


                    Anne in PA
                    Age 58
                    Diagnosed at age 14, untreated, no problem until age 50
                    T4 to sacrum fusion
                    63 thoracic now 35, 92 lumbar now 53
                    Dr. Baron Lonner, 2/2/10
                    Am pain-free, balanced, happy & an inch taller !

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Yep thanks guys I'm going to call around on the specialist in my area tomorrow. Hopefully the insurance thing works out...

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        1) 1-2 weeks to get the results of xrays? Ridiculous

                        2) Past the age of surgery? Double Ridiculous. I had surgery at age 46 and I am doing fabulous.

                        You need to find a scoliosis specialist, not just some run-of-the-mill orthopedic dr. Look on http://www.srs.org/find/ for a doctor in your area.

                        Good luck,
                        __________________________________________
                        Debbe - 50 yrs old

                        Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                        Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                        Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                        Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                        Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                        Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                        Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by debbei View Post
                          1) 1-2 weeks to get the results of xrays? Ridiculous

                          2) Past the age of surgery? Double Ridiculous. I had surgery at age 46 and I am doing fabulous.

                          You need to find a scoliosis specialist, not just some run-of-the-mill orthopedic dr. Look on http://www.srs.org/find/ for a doctor in your area.

                          Good luck,
                          By the way, I think I'll nominate your current doctor for the "Doctor Dumbell" award of the year. That's the name I gave the first ortho I went to over 2 years ago. Good luck, and ask us anything you want. There is a tremendous wealth of knowledge on this forum. They educated me, and we can do the same for you.
                          __________________________________________
                          Debbe - 50 yrs old

                          Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                          Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                          Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                          Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                          Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                          Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                          Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by debbei View Post
                            1) 1-2 weeks to get the results of xrays? Ridiculous

                            2) Past the age of surgery? Double Ridiculous. I had surgery at age 46 and I am doing fabulous.

                            You need to find a scoliosis specialist, not just some run-of-the-mill orthopedic dr. Look on http://www.srs.org/find/ for a doctor in your area.

                            Good luck,
                            Yeah I agree... but I am with a large health car provider with a large bureaucracy... Kaiser. Anyone who lives in CA will be familiar with them. I also thought up to 2 weeks was ridiculous too... but what can I do? I can't make their bureaucracy move faster.

                            And I'm going to call around for a scoliosis specialist tomorrow. I really appreciate the help this forum has given me so far.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Originally posted by Curious293 View Post
                              Yeah I agree... but I am with a large health car provider with a large bureaucracy... Kaiser. Anyone who lives in CA will be familiar with them. I also thought up to 2 weeks was ridiculous too... but what can I do? I can't make their bureaucracy move faster.

                              And I'm going to call around for a scoliosis specialist tomorrow. I really appreciate the help this forum has given me so far.
                              I seem to remember that someone on this forum had surgery through Kaiser. I just searched and came up with this thread:

                              http://www.scoliosis.org/forum/showt...ghlight=kaiser

                              I was remembering Geish, but I'm not sure that she's on the forum any longer. Read the thread.
                              __________________________________________
                              Debbe - 50 yrs old

                              Milwalkee Brace 1976 - 79
                              Told by Dr. my curve would never progress

                              Surgery 10/15/08 in NYC by Dr. Michael Neuwirth
                              Pre-Surgury Thorasic: 66 degrees
                              Pre-Surgery Lumbar: 66 degrees

                              Post-Surgery Thorasic: 34 degrees
                              Post-Surgery Lumbar: 22 degrees

                              Comment

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