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I'm almost 26 years old and was diagnosed with scoliosis at the age of 12. My curvatures are approximately 35 degrees thoracic and 20 degrees lumbar. I wore a boston brace from when I was 14 to when I was 16 (reasonably compliant), but my orthopaedic surgeon recommended surgery.
My parents and I refused surgery because I had congenital heart disease as well. Last December I needed open heart surgery to repair an incompetent valve. Before the surgery my heart was grossly enlarged to the point that I had chest pain, I was short of breath and suffered frequent arrythmias. Nine weeks post surgery I feel fabulous as the symptoms I described are gone.
Over the years I have toyed with the idea of having surgery to correct my scoliosis. Though I try not to let it bother me, it looks awful, and depending on how stressed I am and too busy to skip exercise, it is sometimes very painful (although oddly, I haven't had pain due to scoliosis for over a year now).
So this is basically the problem - my heart condition prior to surgery was life threatening. I needed the operation or I would probably die. The surgery was so justified and so worth it.
My scoliosis is merely irritating by comparison, but there could be potential for pain and disability down the track that would make life so difficult the condition might as well be considered life threatening.
However, I also know how disruptive and painful major surgery is having had three open heart surgeries (one as an adult - I have no sick leave left now
). I also don't want to have another pleural effusion or cardioversion for as long as I live if I can avoid it.
I know based on my experience of heart surgery that corrective surgery for scoliosis could make a big difference to how I feel both in terms of my general health and self esteem.
I really don't want to pass up a chance to feel even better than I already do.
After one major surgery, I feel like I'm pushing my luck or being greedy trying for another one. There's also probably going to be more surgery risks due to my pre-existing heart condition as well.
I guess this is just a vent really - I'm not as brave as you guys
But seriously, if anybody out there has been through scoliosis surgery when they have other medical issues that have also needed major surgery, I would be interested to hear how you went.
My parents and I refused surgery because I had congenital heart disease as well. Last December I needed open heart surgery to repair an incompetent valve. Before the surgery my heart was grossly enlarged to the point that I had chest pain, I was short of breath and suffered frequent arrythmias. Nine weeks post surgery I feel fabulous as the symptoms I described are gone.
Over the years I have toyed with the idea of having surgery to correct my scoliosis. Though I try not to let it bother me, it looks awful, and depending on how stressed I am and too busy to skip exercise, it is sometimes very painful (although oddly, I haven't had pain due to scoliosis for over a year now).
So this is basically the problem - my heart condition prior to surgery was life threatening. I needed the operation or I would probably die. The surgery was so justified and so worth it.
My scoliosis is merely irritating by comparison, but there could be potential for pain and disability down the track that would make life so difficult the condition might as well be considered life threatening.
However, I also know how disruptive and painful major surgery is having had three open heart surgeries (one as an adult - I have no sick leave left now
). I also don't want to have another pleural effusion or cardioversion for as long as I live if I can avoid it. I know based on my experience of heart surgery that corrective surgery for scoliosis could make a big difference to how I feel both in terms of my general health and self esteem.
I really don't want to pass up a chance to feel even better than I already do.
After one major surgery, I feel like I'm pushing my luck or being greedy trying for another one. There's also probably going to be more surgery risks due to my pre-existing heart condition as well.
I guess this is just a vent really - I'm not as brave as you guys
But seriously, if anybody out there has been through scoliosis surgery when they have other medical issues that have also needed major surgery, I would be interested to hear how you went.
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