Hello all,
I am new to the Forum and would love to have feedback from those of you who have more experience with this. I apologize in advance for the lengthy question/explanation.
My regular doctor advised surgery several months ago due to significant progression of my curve(s) in adulthood. I am 38 years old with a 67* thoracolumbar structural curve with significant rotation and a 49* thoracic compensatory curve. This has progressed from 55* at age 33 and 33 degrees at age 22. I am not in much pain, just your basic fatigue at the end of the day or after standing too long.
I finally said "uncle" and decided I would have the surgery to prevent future complications, which were explained to me as progressive deformity, potential organ failure (kidneys and gastrointestinal since mine is a lower curve) and increasing lower back pain and disc instability.
As part of the process I got a second opinion from a doc who says actually he would wait and allow my curve to progress further. Since I am not in signif. pain and I don't face cardiopulmonary issues, there is no harm in delaying, according to second opinion. Also both docs said because of the need to fuse to L4 or L5 I am at significant risk for lower back pain after surgery as well as long term disc issues.
This is a good time for me to have surgery if I'm going to have it because I still have help (my mom, age 67 and in good health) and my kids are 4 and 7, so not too much carrying. I worry that if I put it off I won't have someone to help me and may even be taking care of others (in-laws are elderly). Plus right now I'm a stay-at-home mom and in a few years I might go back to work.
On the other hand doc #2 says there is a small chance I will never need surgery. So obvioulsy I don't want to go through this if I don't have to.
How do you make these decisions? And what's up with doctors disagreeing so much? What is the real risk for someone with a lower curve? I am getting conflicting information on the organ squeeze issue. And finally, is the compensatory curve likely to become structural and result in cardiopulmonary issues? I can take deformity but would rather address it now if it is eventually going to become life threatening! Would love any input.
Thanks in advance!
I am new to the Forum and would love to have feedback from those of you who have more experience with this. I apologize in advance for the lengthy question/explanation.
My regular doctor advised surgery several months ago due to significant progression of my curve(s) in adulthood. I am 38 years old with a 67* thoracolumbar structural curve with significant rotation and a 49* thoracic compensatory curve. This has progressed from 55* at age 33 and 33 degrees at age 22. I am not in much pain, just your basic fatigue at the end of the day or after standing too long.
I finally said "uncle" and decided I would have the surgery to prevent future complications, which were explained to me as progressive deformity, potential organ failure (kidneys and gastrointestinal since mine is a lower curve) and increasing lower back pain and disc instability.
As part of the process I got a second opinion from a doc who says actually he would wait and allow my curve to progress further. Since I am not in signif. pain and I don't face cardiopulmonary issues, there is no harm in delaying, according to second opinion. Also both docs said because of the need to fuse to L4 or L5 I am at significant risk for lower back pain after surgery as well as long term disc issues.
This is a good time for me to have surgery if I'm going to have it because I still have help (my mom, age 67 and in good health) and my kids are 4 and 7, so not too much carrying. I worry that if I put it off I won't have someone to help me and may even be taking care of others (in-laws are elderly). Plus right now I'm a stay-at-home mom and in a few years I might go back to work.
On the other hand doc #2 says there is a small chance I will never need surgery. So obvioulsy I don't want to go through this if I don't have to.
How do you make these decisions? And what's up with doctors disagreeing so much? What is the real risk for someone with a lower curve? I am getting conflicting information on the organ squeeze issue. And finally, is the compensatory curve likely to become structural and result in cardiopulmonary issues? I can take deformity but would rather address it now if it is eventually going to become life threatening! Would love any input.
Thanks in advance!
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