I am new to the forum and to the whole scoliosis scene. I am 65 and was diagnosed 9 months ago when I had physical therapy for back pain for a year and wasn't getting better. I finally asked for an xray and much to my surprise have a 36 degree thoracic/lumbar curve. I was getting no where with the MD/ortho that I was seeing locally, so I self referred myself to the Spine Center at Oregon Health and Sciences University [about an hour away] and found a great team of surgeon, pain specialists, psychologists, physical therapists....a really supportive team. I have pain, starting about an hour after I wake up that progresses depending on my activities of the day. If I am active, then I am easily an "8-9" in the evening even if I am using the IF setting of my TENS unit and Lidocaine patches. The Pain Specialist MD is going to do a Medial Branch Block and then a Denervation if that is successful. That supposedly takes care of arthritis pain?
How does an individual decide to have the surgery? How much pain should you be in to have the surgery? Whenever I do decide to have surgery, I plan to get a second opinion. I am taking pain pills now and pain management classes.
Thanks.
How does an individual decide to have the surgery? How much pain should you be in to have the surgery? Whenever I do decide to have surgery, I plan to get a second opinion. I am taking pain pills now and pain management classes.
Thanks.
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