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I was operated on by Dr. Boachie 2 years ago at the age of 60 and got my life back. My surgery was a revision of un-instrumented scoliosis surgery I had in 1956 for a 100 degree curve. My triple curves increased over those years. At age 52 my major thoracic curve was 64 deg by age 59 it was 80 deg. I did have shorteness of breath even when I talked. On my first visit Dr. Boachie outlined what was involved but advised me not to wait because I was getting worse. I was able to control pain with exercise up to a point but in the end I would wake up at night with throbbing pain where my rightward thoracic curve met my leftward lumbar curve(called transition zone). Those spinal nerves were trapped with no place to go.
I have been an RN for 40 years 30 years of which I have been a nurse-anesthetist. I knew exactly what the risks were. Though I was terrified I was grateful that help was available. But not breathing was not an option for me. I personally would have done something before age 60 but I didn't know I had the option.
The problem with waiting until breathing problems ensue or terrible pain occurs is that one goes into surgery in in less that optimum condition. The pain causes deconditioning and the breathing problems increase the anesthetic risk. The larger the curves the less correction possible and think about it all the major organs, spinal cord, joints, etc. that will need repositioning. After surgery this is very painfu.
The point I am trying to make is be informed and know the consequences of action or inaction. A stable curve that's not increasing is not a problem. If a curve is increasing in an adult say 1-3 degrees a year do the math. As Linda says if surgery is warranted the younger the better because healing is quicker.
I was very fortunate in my outcome. I am back at work and essentially pain free. I needed to be fused T-4 to sacrum. My original fusion in 1958 was T-4 to L-2 but the discs below that fusion had totally degenerated. I basically do everything I want and need to do.
I have been an RN for 40 years 30 years of which I have been a nurse-anesthetist. I knew exactly what the risks were. Though I was terrified I was grateful that help was available. But not breathing was not an option for me. I personally would have done something before age 60 but I didn't know I had the option.
The problem with waiting until breathing problems ensue or terrible pain occurs is that one goes into surgery in in less that optimum condition. The pain causes deconditioning and the breathing problems increase the anesthetic risk. The larger the curves the less correction possible and think about it all the major organs, spinal cord, joints, etc. that will need repositioning. After surgery this is very painfu.
The point I am trying to make is be informed and know the consequences of action or inaction. A stable curve that's not increasing is not a problem. If a curve is increasing in an adult say 1-3 degrees a year do the math. As Linda says if surgery is warranted the younger the better because healing is quicker.
I was very fortunate in my outcome. I am back at work and essentially pain free. I needed to be fused T-4 to sacrum. My original fusion in 1958 was T-4 to L-2 but the discs below that fusion had totally degenerated. I basically do everything I want and need to do.
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