I posted before about my decision about how to decide whether or not to have scoliosis surgery. In my case, I am 65 years old and have "Degenerative Adult Onset Scoliosis" w/ a 25* thoracic levoscoliosis and a 36* lumbar dextroscoliosis "S" curve w/ 4.1 cm. positive coronal and 3.5 cm. positive sagittal balance. Surgery would involve fusion from T3 to S1. I was diagnosed 6 months ago, so this is all new to me. I know that adult onset is much different than adolescent and younger onset as I have significant degenerative disc disease among so many other things. According to my last visit to my surgeon, Dr. Hart at OHSU who I like and trust a lot, for my scoliosis condition, the surgery decision would be based on: loss of function, "a lot" of pain, large curve progression [which he said, I think was 5* in one year], but mostly pain. That's what I have in my notes from my visit of Jan 2012. I see him next week and will ask him about this, that is wheher the surgery decreases back pain, but wanted feedback from the group.
In the previously posted blog, a responder to the blog said that the fusion surgery may not decrease pain or may decrease the pain only some. I would like to hear from people who have Degenerative Adult Onset Scoliosis with major fusions. Was your pain decreased? If so, how much? This is a real bummer, the thought that the surgery would NOT decrease the pain! Thanks for reading this and for your thoughtful response.
Susan
In the previously posted blog, a responder to the blog said that the fusion surgery may not decrease pain or may decrease the pain only some. I would like to hear from people who have Degenerative Adult Onset Scoliosis with major fusions. Was your pain decreased? If so, how much? This is a real bummer, the thought that the surgery would NOT decrease the pain! Thanks for reading this and for your thoughtful response.
Susan
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