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**Geish** · 03-04-2008, 06:37 PM

Actually you could have developed curves either above or below the fusion. My understanding is that a more cautious approach during surgery can result in this. My surgeon went farther then my curves to try and prevent that from happening to me. I would see if its possible to get in and have it checked sooner.
Good Luck,
Alicia

**nzgirl** · 03-04-2008, 11:54 PM

Hi NicMac,
Unfortunately this does happen, and happened to me. I had my surgery when I was 20, and just had a revision at age 27 because the fusion didn't go high enough into my thoracic spine and the curve was still progressing. It's a scary prospect to face going through the surgery again. The best thing that you can do, is to go to your doctor and get an x-ray, hopefully it isn't as bad as you think. The thing is, you know your own body best, and if you are worried that your curve has progressed, don't let family talk you out of getting it checked. Not wanting it to be so, doesn't make the situation different. Good on you for asking questions.
Are you getting more pain? I didn't think I was until I thought back over the years after my surgery, and realised that in the first few years I was less restricted by pain.
Please keep me posted, if your curve has progressed, you're not the only one.

**NiciMac** · 03-05-2008, 12:55 PM

thank you for your responses nzgirl and geish,

i am having a lot more pain recently and am undergoing physiotherapy to try and ease the pain. My surgeon has put me on a waiting list to remove two bolts as he things i may have a trapped nerve or muscle damage. I last had an x ray about 2-3 months ago and my surgeon didn't mention any increasing curve, could it progress so rapidly? My right shoulder definitely hangs lower than the left? I shall make an appointment anway, if nothing else it will stop me worrying about it.

Thanks

**nzgirl** · 03-05-2008, 02:18 PM

Your surgeon must think that it is a trapped nerve rather than curve progression if he is removing the screws, but I don't really know. When I had the dreaded appointment when I found out that my curve had progressed and that I had the option of further surgery, I couldn't take in all the information. So I ended up booking another one a few weeks later to go over it with him again, and took a list of questions. So don't be afraid of going back again.

I doubt that your curve would suddenly progress over a matter of months, usually it's over a few years.

I'm sorry that you are in so much pain, I hope that it will be relieved with the proposed surgery. It's great that you are working with a PT to help. Even if it is a surgical problem, being fit and strong minimises discomfort and helps with recovery post-op.

Keep us posted!

**Snoopy** · 03-05-2008, 03:15 PM

Before my daughter's surgery, her doctor mentioned that there was always a possibility of curvature above or below a fusion. He did everything in his power to prevent this, but my daughter developed a curve above her fusion within probably 2-3 months after her surgery. We were told that if the curve progressed to a certain degree, she'd need to have her fusion extended. The curve continued to progress for about a year or so and hasn't progressed since. So, no surgery for now but we don't know what the future will hold.

Mary Lou

**Writer** · 03-06-2008, 09:15 AM

Nici -- and other post-ops,

Here's an article on physiotherapy for post-fusion patients by Christa Lehnert-Schroth, who has worked with a lot of them.

http://www.schroth-skoliosebehandlung.de/op_eng.pdf

Good luck.

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Can curve increase after fusion?

Can curve increase after fusion?

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