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  • lifetime pain after surgery?

    I don't have much pain except from some discomfort from the scoliosis. Of course I haven't had surgery yet. If you had the surgery already, I want to know if you still have pain years after the surgery and to what degree?

    Lily

  • #2
    Hi Lily...

    I had a lot of pain leading up to surgery. That pain was gone after surgery, but was replaced by other pain for several years. Then, I had quite a few years of no pain. Now, I have lower back pain again because one disc below my fusion has deteriorated.

    You may want to check out the study abstracts that I have on my website at:

    http://www.scoliosislinks.com/Outcomes.htm

    Many of the surgery studies show long term outcomes and include questions about residual pain.

    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
      hello

      I had my surgery on May 11 1994. and it is very painful at first, i am still going through the pain, and i wonder if it will end but somedays i feel better than others. You will feel a lot of different things going on in your body, and i mean a lot, and all different, seems like a new feeling or pain comes with a new day. But stick with this group they are all great here and will help tou to go through this. Do not be afraid to have the surgery if you need it, you will go through it fine. We all are still here now, the ones that have had the surgery, and with each day that passes is one day closer to being free of the pain of haveing scoliosis. -Tara Ward
      Tara Ward

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      • #4
        17 years since surgery

        Hello!
        I am now 31 years old. I had two rods put in and the tip of a rib removed back in 1988, when I was 14. It has been 17 years since surgery and I do not have any major problems. I lead a fairly athletic and healthy life. I do get some shoulder and neck pain once in awhile, but nothing too severe. Staying physically fit really helps reduce pain. My right shoulder is all scrunched up higher than my left shoulder and that's why it hurts. But, I do Yoga and, really, anything else I want to do....it just has not been a huge factor in my life so far. I also take joint supplements just to help stave off any future arthritis.
        Anyway, I hope I can be of some encouragement! Take care! ---Tess

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        • #5
          Hi Lily

          I had the surgery in the early 90's. Still trying to get all the info. But I have lived in pain every since my surgery. I am now 25 and it seems to get worse and worse. Some days are alot worse than others. But there is always a never ending pain in that same spot all teh time. Before my surgery I had no pain. It's hard to do the usual things like bending over, getting in a car, getting out of bed sometimes.

          Amanda
          ~~ Always Do What You Wish You Could Do ~~

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          • #6
            Hi Lily...

            I'd like to encourage you to find a scoliosis specialist who has a lot of experience with treating patients with prior scoliosis fusions. If you have pain in one spot, it seems to me that a good surgeon should be able to diagnose what it is.

            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


            • #7
              Lily,
              I am 30 years old and 5 months post op. I can honestly say that I don't really experience pain at this point, just some stiffness on some days (mostly rainy, cold days) and discomfort if I sit too long at work. I'm currently in physical therapy for low back stiffness and after just 2 weeks, I'm feeling so good and able to move more freely! I have to admit that in the first 4 months, I was not too optimistic about the pain and discomfort and thought I was going to just have to deal with it for the rest of my life, but as each week passes, I feel better and am able to do more.

              I agree with Linda that you should find a reputable surgeon and work with him or her on all of your concerns. Each person is different, so each outcome is different.

              Good luck!

              Comment


              • #8
                Survivor

                Lilly,

                I think there will always be some sort of pain anytime you have back surgery. My pain did subside quite a bit after my first surgery for many years in fact. I led a normal teenage life. I was 16 when I had my first back surgery. I am considering writing a book about my experience and let me tell you there has been many. I think with the advanced technology and early detection compared to when I was diagnosed and had surgery in 1981 doctors are better equiped to handle a multitude of situations and/or complaints.

                Yes it is a frightening experience, but your health should be the most important aspect of your life. From my experience if surgery wasn't necessary, you wouldn't be having it. I did have a second surgery in 2002 for a full revision and more fusion and hardware replacement due to extensive pain. If you think about it I was fine for the most part for over 20 years. I will be having yet another surgery 8/17/05 to have my illiac screw removed due to lower back pain and hip pain and possibly an upper plate removed.

                We as scoliosis patients have to remember that we are only given by God what he thinks we can handle. I feel I was given this condition in order to tell my story and help others understand what scoliosis is and how it truly affects the life of children and adults.

                I wish you a pain free recovery and to your family rally around this child with your love and support. Understand that there will be times of anger, crying, the "why me" syndrome and possibly some depression, but remember in the long run you can return to a normal life. Speaking of normal, don't you dare let anyone tell you that you are not normal.

                Keep me informed of your recovery.

                Dawn

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                • #9
                  pain forever post -op?

                  I an exremely grateful, and I do not know how long it will last, but I am essentially pain free. I might feel a little achy sometimes with bad weather or if I overdo it but I can be on my feet all day and have still no pain - just tired.

                  It took a LONG time after surgery to get to this point and I still sometimes feel something "waking up" but no problem.

                  Karen
                  Original scoliosis surgery 1956 T-4 to L-2 ~100 degree thoracic (triple)curves at age 14. NO hardware-lost correction.
                  Anterior/posterior revision T-4 to Sacrum in 2002, age 60, by Dr. Boachie-Adjei @Hospital for Special Surgery, NY = 50% correction

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                  • #10
                    Lily,
                    All surgical procedures cause some pain. I am sure that your doctor will prescribe sufficient medication to address your post-operative pain. In addition, the first few weeks after the surgery will require adjustment, as would be the case with other surgical procedures. Now the good news. I had my Harrington rods inserted 38 years ago and have had only occasional lower back pain (an Advil once in awhile). I do not percieve my aches and pains to be greater than those of my friends without scoliosis. I suggest that you follow your post-operative instructions very carefully and that in the future you try to keep thin and stay physically fit.
                    If you have any questions about the types of activities that we older folks can/can't do with our Harrington rods, I would be happy to answer them.
                    Good luck,
                    Shelley

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Lily,

                      I had my surgery when I was 13 and I'm now cruising on down to 33. I have no problems, no pain and barely ever even think about the scoliosis. I take dancercise classes, had a baby last year with no drugs and everythings great.

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