So I saw the surgeon on Thursday, and it was certainly not what I expected! I had been told by my GP that my curve had increased from 29 to 55 degrees in 5 years, that I had a problematic disc at L5/S1, and to expect spinal fusion surgery. She even told me to plan to take a semester off school to recover. When I saw the surgeon, he said that the curve was 43 degrees, that there was nothing we could do about the disc, and sent me for physiotherapy.
I've had good and bad experiences with surgeons in terms of their personality, but I have to say I was surprised by how rude he was. I think he was annoyed that I was seeing him because of my "mild" (his words) curve. He was very rough and hasty during the physical exam. I tried to ask him three times why there could have been such a large error between the two readings, and every time he got defensive and said that he was a specalist and that his number was the right one. I did not doubt his number, I just wanted to know WHY the difference? 12 degrees is a very large marin of error.
He said that all of my pain was coming from the disc problem, and that disc problems are common "because we walk on two legs." Are disc problems really that common in 20 year olds? Also, I do not believe that my scoliosis is painless. I can feel where my spine "curves" to the left and the muscles that align against it are very tight and sore. He finally said as he was walking out the door that in very rare circumstances scoliosis can cause back pain but he didn't think mine was bad enough to.
Now this isn't bad news; I certainly don't want surgery unless I really need it. I'm going to start the physiotherapy on Monday and I'm going to work hard and I hope it helps. I REALLY want to go back to school in September. But, if I had been told this in June I could have been having physio for all this time! I wouldn't have wasted weeks reading and researching about surgery.
I'm now kind of worried about the degree of my curve. What is it? Who measured it at 55? I'm going back to my GP to ask, but I think it was a radiologist, and the same one who had measured it five years ago at 29 degrees. I've never heard of such a large margin of error between two readings. Should I get a second opinion? If I did see another surgeon and s/he confirmed the ~43 degree reading, then I would feel a lot better. But what if the curve actually is 55? Or closer to 50? Is 43 really mild? And how are we going to know if it's getting worse every year if we can't agree with the reading within 12 degrees?? This surgeon won't normally be doing the readings.
Sorry for the long message! Help!!!
Kathryn
I've had good and bad experiences with surgeons in terms of their personality, but I have to say I was surprised by how rude he was. I think he was annoyed that I was seeing him because of my "mild" (his words) curve. He was very rough and hasty during the physical exam. I tried to ask him three times why there could have been such a large error between the two readings, and every time he got defensive and said that he was a specalist and that his number was the right one. I did not doubt his number, I just wanted to know WHY the difference? 12 degrees is a very large marin of error.
He said that all of my pain was coming from the disc problem, and that disc problems are common "because we walk on two legs." Are disc problems really that common in 20 year olds? Also, I do not believe that my scoliosis is painless. I can feel where my spine "curves" to the left and the muscles that align against it are very tight and sore. He finally said as he was walking out the door that in very rare circumstances scoliosis can cause back pain but he didn't think mine was bad enough to.
Now this isn't bad news; I certainly don't want surgery unless I really need it. I'm going to start the physiotherapy on Monday and I'm going to work hard and I hope it helps. I REALLY want to go back to school in September. But, if I had been told this in June I could have been having physio for all this time! I wouldn't have wasted weeks reading and researching about surgery.
I'm now kind of worried about the degree of my curve. What is it? Who measured it at 55? I'm going back to my GP to ask, but I think it was a radiologist, and the same one who had measured it five years ago at 29 degrees. I've never heard of such a large margin of error between two readings. Should I get a second opinion? If I did see another surgeon and s/he confirmed the ~43 degree reading, then I would feel a lot better. But what if the curve actually is 55? Or closer to 50? Is 43 really mild? And how are we going to know if it's getting worse every year if we can't agree with the reading within 12 degrees?? This surgeon won't normally be doing the readings.
Sorry for the long message! Help!!!
Kathryn
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