Uneven Shoulders

[maughact]

Hi, I am new to this forum. My 16 year old daughter had spinal fusion surgery for her scoliosis three months ago. It went very well and she is recovering fine.
Her doctor was very happy with the outcome and said we would be happy with the correction since it is almost completely straight. She had a 54 degree curve. He said she scored perfect in all areas of the surgery. As you can imagine we were so excited to hear that. At the hospital and shortly thereafter we were amazed on how even her hips were compared to before, she had a C curve. Before the surgery even though here hips were very uneven her shoulders compensated for that
and were pretty even. However, after the surger we started noticing that her shoulders are uneven. At her last appointment about 1 1/2 months ago, her
doctor had a PT come in to show her some simples excersises in order to help with her shoulder issue. He did say that they should even out over time and
it was nothing to worry about. But I am worried since it's been 3 months and really no improvement. It breaks my heart after all that she's been through especially since her doctor told her after the surgery that she would be very happy with the way she looks. She still looks lopsided to me and not sure if we should be doing anything else about it. We are not due to go back until after Thanksgiving. Was wondering if any of your children had a similar experience and the long-term result was?

Thanks,

Chris

[JenniferG]

Is she *very* lop-sided Chris? I still have a 22 degree curve (down from 68) and my shoulders are lop-sided but my hips are even so I put my lop-sidedness down to the residual curve.

Is it something she's uncomfortable about?

If she has a small residual curve, I guess this might be the cause. Time may still improve the situation but if you are concerned, then speak to her surgeon because you need to have your questions answered.

[Pooka1]

Where was the curve? Thoracic, lumbar or thoracolumbar?

Certain thoracic curves corrected in certain ways are known to have "high left shoulder" after surgery and surgeons do things to avoid this problem.

My one kid came out of surgery with uneven shoulders opposite to the uneveness she went in with. This took several weeks to even out. I don't remember exactly when it evened out but it certainly could have been after three months.

The other kid came out level and stayed that way but she had a different type of thoracic curve than her twin.

Good luck.

[progress]

Hi, I would just like to add that my son had surgery when he was 13 for a 41 deg thoracic curve. He was left with very uneven shoulders but Dr Cree said he will unwind. I'm pleased to say he did. I'm not sure how long it took but definately months. I was constantly ringing the secretary. My own surgery just over 4 weeks ago was far less stressful. My son is now very active, loves the gym and the girls love him...he is 17 :)
Kelly

[kennedy]

Chris my curve is post-op is 20* and my shoulders at times are uneven but almost all the time even. it some times happens

[maughact]

Yes, her curve was thoracic. It's strange because her spine looks straight and her hips are pretty even, not perfect, but she her shoulders are lopsided. One of
you guys said that surgeons do things do prevent this. We were never told this could happen, otherwise I wouldn't be concerned. Her surgeion is the top surgeon at Childrens Memorial Hospital in Chicago. It is just heartbreaking since she went throught such a tough surgery and we thought she would be much better after surgery as was promised by her doctor.
I think I'm going to bring her in for an earlier exam just for "peace of mind". I have read posts about it correcting overtime, so I am at least hopeful.
I would still like to hear some of you other parents whose children have gone through a similar thing. Could perhaps more intense physical therapy help?
I remember always looking up ways to improve her curve when she was in the brace for 6 years and then when we were told she needed surgery I felt at least
there is a way to correct this finally. Too go through this all over again is very stressful. Again, any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Chris

[titaniumed]

Chris
I had a high left shoulder after my surgeries and it eventually evened out. Since everything was cut and it takes so long for some of the soft tissues to heal, I would simply wait this out. She needs more time to heal.

Intense physical therapy is not what you want to do. That will just create pain. Many surgeons just want their patients walking....I did my PT at 8 months post and it was very light in the beginning.

Slow and easy......she is going to be fine.
Welcome to the forum
Ed

[jrnyc]

welcome Chris
a surgeon told me many years ago that it takes a year for ANY surgical
result to "settle"...to heal 100%
i would think things are still pretty swollen...
and i would believe what others here are telling you....
if it still looks the same at the 2 year mark, then i might worry...

again, welcome....
this is a great place of empathy, comfort, information and support...

jess...& Sparky

http://i1085.photobucket.com/albums/j439/jrrnyc/Sparky-Quilt.jpg

[Susie*Bee]

Chris-- just a thought-- are her shoulders truly uneven, or is she holding them in an uneven way? The reason I ask is because when I started physical therapy at about 6 months post-op, my shoulders were uneven. My PT said it was because in my pre-op days my muscles had gotten used to holding myself in a certain way-- to make myself look correct and even. Because of that, they didn't want to re-learn their position now that my spine was straight. He had me spend some time feeling what was now "right" (and it felt SO WRONG) by looking in the mirror and holding my shoulders straight. Gradually I got to the point where I could feel the new "straight." Of course, your daughter doesn't have 40 years of unlearning to do like I did, but has she tried holding her shoulders straight in a mirror? Just a thought. And maybe one you've covered already.

[braceyourself]

I definitely agree with everyone here. After my surgery, I was really discouraged about the way I looked and felt because it wasn't fixed. But actually, over time-- probably around 8-12 months or so-- I gained my muscles back, and I looked more natural and even. I hope you find the same to be true!

Oh, and there are some things that still haven't changed for me, and they never will (like my upper rib hump and the side of my chest that caves in). But the really noticeable unevenness did go away, which I'm thankful for. : )

[maughact]

Thanks to everyone for your replies. Her surgeon did say it can take a year to even out and he seemed pretty confident that it will. I wanted to hear actual
stories from other patients who went through a similar thing and eventually did even out. I also want to know if there is anything we should be doing in the
meantime. I don't want to look back and regret that something could have been done.