Hi Susan...
I think it would probably depend on the speed of progression. The vast majority of adults (at least those over 40) have stable thoracic curves. It's almost always the lumbar curve that increases. While lumbar curves are usually a lot more painful than thoracic curves, there aren't the immediate concerns of lung and heart involvement. Large thoracic curves that are progressing are a different concern.
I'm guessing that most people pick the surgeon who says what they want to hear. If you know it's time for surgery, you can either convince the surgeon who is recommending that you wait, or go with the surgeon who wants to do surgery now. I don't think there's any right answer. Most conservative surgeons can probably be convinced to do surgery, if they think you'll have a good outcome. So, I guess I'm saying that the recommendation of if/when to have surgery should probably not be given a lot of weight when one is choosing a surgeon.
Regards,
Linda
I think it would probably depend on the speed of progression. The vast majority of adults (at least those over 40) have stable thoracic curves. It's almost always the lumbar curve that increases. While lumbar curves are usually a lot more painful than thoracic curves, there aren't the immediate concerns of lung and heart involvement. Large thoracic curves that are progressing are a different concern.
I'm guessing that most people pick the surgeon who says what they want to hear. If you know it's time for surgery, you can either convince the surgeon who is recommending that you wait, or go with the surgeon who wants to do surgery now. I don't think there's any right answer. Most conservative surgeons can probably be convinced to do surgery, if they think you'll have a good outcome. So, I guess I'm saying that the recommendation of if/when to have surgery should probably not be given a lot of weight when one is choosing a surgeon.
Regards,
Linda
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