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  • Need Help...

    Hi everyone,

    This morning, my girlfriend was told by her doctor that she may need surgery for her back. I'm worried... Hope that you guys can provide me with some information. I'm a newbie... All i know is she had been suffering from Scoliosis since young, many doctors told her that after puberty, for most cases condition will stablized. But today we were told that she is not one of the lucky ones... She is 25 this year and 40 degrees. Her doctor said if she hits 45 degrees surgery is a must... I need to know the risk of the surgery. Any major discomfort after surgery? How long she is required to stay on bed? She is experiencing lots of pain nowadays is there anything I can do to reduce the pain? Any good massage I can apply on her? Appreciate all your help in advance! Thank you!

  • #2
    Hi Flyer...

    While I would be supportive of your girlfriend, I'd also encourage her not to rush into surgery. Here in the U.S., most scoliosis specialists don't recommend surgery on adults until their curves hit at least 50 degrees, unless there is significant pain.

    The surgery is definitely painful. Some people are off pain medications by 3-4 weeks post-op, and some have to take them for years.

    There's never been anything proven to stop the progression of scoliosis curves, other than surgery. But, you mind want to order the DVD "Yoga for Scoliosis." http://www.yogaforscoliosis.com/index.htm.

    Best of luck to your girlfriend!

    Regards,
    Linda
    Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
    ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
    Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

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    • #3
      Hi HighFlyer,

      Welcome to the Forum. I am so impressed by the desire you have to comfort your girlfriend!!! She is blessed to have you in her life. Before my surgery, a great massage was something I relished.

      Start with the shoulders and neck, work your way down her back, keeping clear of the spine. Then the butt massage, one of my personal favorites, then down the legs including her feet.

      When a person is in constant pain, pleasure like that, at least for me, was sometimes more rewarding than sex. She's a lucky woman to have someone that cares enough to want to try to take her pain away.

      You have a big heart,
      Shari

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      • #4
        hi all,

        Thanx for all your replies and suggestions. I was wondering is it true it will be safer for her if she accept the surgery young because she was told that it will get worse as she age? Is there any guide for massaging on the internet? I've no idea what to do, just in case I hurt her even more. Thank you once again!

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        • #5
          Hi...

          My understanding is that 40 degree curves are in sort of a grey area. Some progress, some don't. If your girlfriend's curves increase, it's likely that she'd be a good surgical candidate. And, if she has to have surgery, there are definitely fewer complications in young patients than in old patients. However, if she were my daughter, I'd tell her to wait at least 3-4 years to be sure that the curves are indeed progressing. If they do progress, the additional 3-4 years shouldn't add that much risk.

          Regards,
          Linda
          Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
          ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
          Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Linda,

            Thank you for your advise. I was told that her curve was 35 degrees last year and now 40 degrees... an increase of 5 degrees in just 12 months... I suppose that is alot, am i right? Thank you!

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            • #7
              Hi...

              There's actually a 5 degree margin of error whenever the same person measures curves. (The margin of error is even larger when two different people measure curves.) So, to be sure there's progression, I think doctors usually like to see xrays with more than a 5 degree difference over 2-3 years.

              Regards,
              Linda
              Never argue with an idiot. They always drag you down to their level, and then they beat you with experience. --Twain
              ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              Surgery 2/10/93 A/P fusion T4-L3
              Surgery 1/20/11 A/P fusion L2-sacrum w/pelvic fixation

              Comment

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