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I'm new here. I am a 19 year old male and I have scoliosis. It started back in 08, or probably way before that, but I started noticing a big dip in my left side caused from Scoliosis. I was really skinny, so it was noticeable. I told my mom and a month later, I was at a doctors office. He said I have "mild" scoliosis and he made me take X-rays. Those X-rays showed a pretty big curve, but he said that it was only 15* and that I can do sports and go to the gym because it wasn't severe. I was happy that it was minor and I could just keep playing sports and working out, but that wasn't the case. Ever since, I felt my lower right back/oblique getting thicker and more painful. I was starting to be in pain daily and even hourly. However I sat, stood, walked, etc. it would throb and be very uncomfortable. I then told my dad this is getting worse and I need to see a spine specialist. He told me first, go back to the first doctor to see if you can get another x-ray. A year after the first one in 09, 2-3 weeks ago, I went back and got an x-ray at doctor 1. The curve was definitely worse. He measured it and said 40*. I was stunned and shocked in disbelief, there is no way I curved 25* in 1 year. So I went to a spine specialist last week. He made me take X-rays and as I was waiting worried in the patients room, he comes in and tells me, " I recommend Surgery" he told me the first doctor measured wrong and my first curve in 08 was 40* and now it has progressed to 50* and it will get worse if I don't get surgery.
So now, I am worried about getting surgery. I'm 6'4 and after surgery, i'll probably be 6'5-6'6, and I don't want that for 1. Second, I won't be able to play any sports or gym, I will lose a LOT of weight sitting in bed not eating. I also can't understand a 19 year old being banned from playing sports/gym. It makes me feel horrible. Plus, my scoliosis is very low, so that means with my incredibly long legs, I won't even come close to my feet to put on socks or shoes. I was at the Stanford Spine Clinic and Ivan Cheng saw me. I have no idea how good he is, but from what I hear, he is one of the top spine surgeons in the bay area.
Sorry for the long read, it's just I don't know If I should get the surgery or not. I'm really worried and doubt I'll recover quickly.
So now, I am worried about getting surgery. I'm 6'4 and after surgery, i'll probably be 6'5-6'6, and I don't want that for 1. Second, I won't be able to play any sports or gym, I will lose a LOT of weight sitting in bed not eating. I also can't understand a 19 year old being banned from playing sports/gym. It makes me feel horrible. Plus, my scoliosis is very low, so that means with my incredibly long legs, I won't even come close to my feet to put on socks or shoes. I was at the Stanford Spine Clinic and Ivan Cheng saw me. I have no idea how good he is, but from what I hear, he is one of the top spine surgeons in the bay area.
Sorry for the long read, it's just I don't know If I should get the surgery or not. I'm really worried and doubt I'll recover quickly.
The much younger folks on this forum will be a big help to you as to what you can and cannot do after surgery. Yes, you will be able to put your shoes and socks on by lifting your leg onto your opposite knee. Right after surgery, an Occupational Therapist will show you how to put socks on with an assistive device and you can use elastic shoe laces for awhile. Ask any and all questions here and someone will help you. By the way, I love tall men. Where were you when I was in the market?
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