Before I spend $$$ on a second opinion...

[Susie*Bee]

Mine went from 48º to 52º in about 1.5 years, in my mid 50s, and was told it would continue to increase.

[Doreen1]

In a 5 year span my double 40 degree curves progressed to 70 and 68 degrees. My spine was collapsing fast and the year of my surgery, 2011, I lost 4 inches of height in one year. Talk about painful! I knew in 2006 when my curves were 40 degrees, that I would need surgery at some point in my future, but the time wasn't right for me at that stage. Things became crystal clear in 2011 the need for surgery.

[susancook]

Hi Gayle...

I rarely hear any surgeons talking about halting progression in adults. Thoracic curves tend to progress pretty slowly, so I'm guessing that's the rationale. I routinely hear surgeons say that the reasons for surgery in older adults are limited to significant pain and neurologic weakness.

The 80-90 years old that we see are usually in tremendous pain. (They would not be seeking out surgical opinions otherwise, IMO.) They actually have fairly good outcomes because they have little to lose and a lot to gain. A little complication like leg weakness is nothing to them when compared to the thought of being in near constant pain for the rest of their lives. None of our really old patients have died (at least since I've been at UCSF). They definitely have complications, but most are of the less serious variety. We have seen a few significant neurologic injuries, but I think they were expected in those cases cases, and the patients counseled about it prior to surgery.

One thing about patients >80 years old going into major surgery is that it's probably very important that they're in a major university hospital, with anesthesia staff who have a lot of experience with this type of patient. Coincidentally, I talked to a woman in her 80's on the phone today. She has scoliosis and has been told that she needs surgery. She's going to a doctor that I had never heard of, and who (based on his bio) probably has done almost no long fusion surgeries. I tried to convince her that she needed to see someone with a lot more experience, and be treated by hospital staff who are familiar with big surgeries on older patients, but she does not want to go into San Francisco for surgery (even though it's less than 15 miles from her home). I think that's a disaster waiting to happen.

--Linda

Dr. Hu said that my chance of dying with major scoliosis fusion at 65 was 1/100. The mortality rate for 80-90 year olds should be pretty high, I would guess. Maybe the much older folks in SF are just healthier or luckier than normal.
Susan

[PeggyS]

Reading this thread has been helpful because my current level of pain is manageable, with increased limitations on my activities.

I retired early from teaching in 2006 because I was in a great deal of pain. After I retired, the pain lessened tremendously. I occasionally need one 'pain' pill instead of six, but most of the time, I can stop whatever I'm doing to cause the pain and I get relief. I could probably manage the rest of my life like this.

My curve has been progressing 1-2 degrees a year since my mid-40's. it's at 65 degrees. My doctor said if I 'do nothing', eventually my bottom rib will fuse to my hip. I'm 59 & he thinks surgery now would be less risky than waiting til my late 60's. all this sounded logical, but with many thanks to this forum, I'll be seeking a second opinion.

[susancook]

There is some truth to the fact that aging increases your risk for surgery. Some risk factors that make us older folks more at risk are cardiovascular status, type 2 diabetes, and osteoporosis.

What is your bone density?

There is probably very little increase in risk for the next couple of years unless you have medical problems. Take your time to get into shape and do your homework.

Good luck! I am trying to find the answer to your question that you sent to me.
Susan