Hi I'm new to this site, just came across it recently.
I was diagnosed at 17 with scoliosis. Can't remember how bad the curve was, just remember it resembling an S. The doctor gave me the impression I was too old to be treated and just recommended physio, which I went to for a while. Just carried on as normal for the next 20yr, had back pain but tried to cope with it.
Five years ago it got so bad I decided to see a specialist again, I knew the curve was worsening just by looking in the mirror. I now had a thorasic curve of 66 degrees. The surgeon said he could operate but wanted me to have an MRI first as a precaution. Turns out I had a condition called Syringomyelia (fluid inside the spinal chord). The surgeon said he wasn't prepared to operate till I'd seen a neurosurgeon. After another 4 years and 4 MRI scans the two surgeons agreed to operate.
So at the age of 42 I had anterior and posterior fusion a week apart. The neurosurgeon had to aspirate the cyst during the second stage. Had my shoulder hump reduced during the first stage which was extremely painful. Spent 3 weeks in hospital recovering.
Been having physio as i was so stiff across the shoulders I couldn't turn or bend at all. but 4 months on I feel great!! Started back at the gym 2 weeks ago. Can't manage to run yet too painful but everything else I can manage fine. I'm not saying I'm back to normal, have to take painkillers still. Some days I feel really crap, but compared to just 2 months ago i feel great.
I was diagnosed at 17 with scoliosis. Can't remember how bad the curve was, just remember it resembling an S. The doctor gave me the impression I was too old to be treated and just recommended physio, which I went to for a while. Just carried on as normal for the next 20yr, had back pain but tried to cope with it.
Five years ago it got so bad I decided to see a specialist again, I knew the curve was worsening just by looking in the mirror. I now had a thorasic curve of 66 degrees. The surgeon said he could operate but wanted me to have an MRI first as a precaution. Turns out I had a condition called Syringomyelia (fluid inside the spinal chord). The surgeon said he wasn't prepared to operate till I'd seen a neurosurgeon. After another 4 years and 4 MRI scans the two surgeons agreed to operate.
So at the age of 42 I had anterior and posterior fusion a week apart. The neurosurgeon had to aspirate the cyst during the second stage. Had my shoulder hump reduced during the first stage which was extremely painful. Spent 3 weeks in hospital recovering.
Been having physio as i was so stiff across the shoulders I couldn't turn or bend at all. but 4 months on I feel great!! Started back at the gym 2 weeks ago. Can't manage to run yet too painful but everything else I can manage fine. I'm not saying I'm back to normal, have to take painkillers still. Some days I feel really crap, but compared to just 2 months ago i feel great.
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