Has anybody been told they needed surgery but had no real pain? I am afraid that the benefits may not be worth the risks of surgery. I am 55 yrs. old, was diagnosed with scoliosis during my teens
and did not have surgery because it did not increase after puberty. During
my adult life my S curves were approx. 50degrees. Approx 10 years ago a dr.
told me that my curve was increasing approx. 1 degree/yr and I should
monitor it and if it continued to increase, surgery would be indicated. It
was monitored for 4-5 yrs and did not increase. AS of 1982 - the lumbar was
50, by 1989- 56, 1993-60 degrees(age 43). In 1994 the x-ray showed 42
T4-T11 right thoracic curve and 60 T11-L3 left lumbar curve. I can tolerate
the pain and seem to have good motion range but am afraid of it increasing
as I age. I have gone through menapause which may have contributed to the increase.
I went to see a Dr. who I had seen 8 years ago and he told me that my
curves had increased to 55 and 70 and recommended surgery. This really
scared me when I saw the 70 degree part of it. I am very upset and
afraid of surgery and any complications that may occur but, realize that if the curves increase at the same pace,
and surgery is not done, the curves may increase to more than 100 during my
lifetime.
and did not have surgery because it did not increase after puberty. During
my adult life my S curves were approx. 50degrees. Approx 10 years ago a dr.
told me that my curve was increasing approx. 1 degree/yr and I should
monitor it and if it continued to increase, surgery would be indicated. It
was monitored for 4-5 yrs and did not increase. AS of 1982 - the lumbar was
50, by 1989- 56, 1993-60 degrees(age 43). In 1994 the x-ray showed 42
T4-T11 right thoracic curve and 60 T11-L3 left lumbar curve. I can tolerate
the pain and seem to have good motion range but am afraid of it increasing
as I age. I have gone through menapause which may have contributed to the increase.
I went to see a Dr. who I had seen 8 years ago and he told me that my
curves had increased to 55 and 70 and recommended surgery. This really
scared me when I saw the 70 degree part of it. I am very upset and
afraid of surgery and any complications that may occur but, realize that if the curves increase at the same pace,
and surgery is not done, the curves may increase to more than 100 during my
lifetime.
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