Adult Degenerative Scoliosis: Given a new life with surgery!
I am now 8 months post-op and thought about posting here months ago, but somehow didn't think that I could continue to be so happy with my surgery. But, I am! I was diagnosed at age 65 with scoliosis, and was I surprised at how far my spine had collapsed! The radiologist showed me my xray and said, "You didn't know?"
I was fortunate to have 2 awesome opinions for surgery, but my recovery resources were better for surgeon #2, Dr. Serena Hu at UCSF in the Bay Area where my son and family reside [he and his wife are Family Nurse Practitioners]. Dr. Hu was a miracle worker! I had 2 surgeries, first one 5 hours [ALIF, XLIF] and second one 10 hours [PSF]. I have bilateral screws in my lumbar and lower thoracic area, but "hooks" in my upper thoracic area as the thoracic vertebrae bones were osteoporotic and the screws would not grip there. [Interestingly, my Bone Mineral Density study was excellent and did not show any osteoporosis]. I am proud of my scar which covers my entire spine, and as my son's friend said, "Cool! Your buttcrack goes all the way to your neck!" I stayed at UCSF for 10 days and had great pain relief and great drugs so that I do not remember when I was in pain postop. I went to a rehab hospital for 7 days which was a good choice, but had it's challenges.
Before: Limited endurance, pain meds and PT didn't help much; Steroid shots helped some; Rhizotomy thoracic and lumbar provided 4-6 months of relief only
R sciatic pain from stenotic Right L4: had to stop and sit down every 1/2 block.
Thoracic pain from 90 degree kyphosis that limited work to about 30 minutes, then I had to lay down with ice pack for 30 minutes.
Lumbar pain: needed to stop frequently and sit.
L lateral thigh: Meralgia Paresthetica, unsure how this is related or ?random
After: At 8 months:
Some aches, "electric shock pains", buzzing sensation but I would say all minor (now, at 1 year , those sensations are pretty much gone!)
L buttocks pain, unknown reason: lift in R shoe helps as pelvis is slightly lower on R [will have SI joint injection] now, at one year, pain is only occasional
R leg has limited motion and strength.....at one year, I have learned to live with the weakness. I have difficulty putting on socks, but that isn't the end of the world, is it?
Cervical pain related to facet problems and disc degeneration [will have rhizotomy]
Incisional hernia at ALIF site....had this repaired at one year postop!
Surgery has given me a new life and options for retirement. I do medical work in International Health and this surgery has hopefully open possibilities for further medical projects. Prior to surgery, I envisioned myself degenerating to a slumped over kyphotic old woman on opiates. I believe that without surgery, I would be headed there.
At 8 months, I am in PT and hoping to gain better strength in my R leg. I still use the reacher for bowel movement hygiene as I am probably cursed genetically with a long torso and short arms. I will have surgery for my ALIF hernia [entire incision of 8" "plus" opened] at the 1 year point. Full recovery, I am realizing will probably take 2 years.
For older person with degenerative scoliosis, surgery has increased risks, but for me, I am "Happy that I had surgery!".
Susan Green Cooksey, alias susancook
Aug 2018: now 5+ years out from original surgery. In spite of all of the complications that I have had since surgery : incisional hernia, spinal cord injury from pedicle screw pulling out at T4,5 and "indenting" my spinal cord (now partial paraplegic using crutches and wheelchair), cauda equina injury, pulmonary emboli, spinal hardware infection, 4 revisions from broken rods. And you ask: this woman must be nuts if she is happy about having surgery! Yes, I am still happy. My quality of life was so poor before my 1st surgery. I advise people never to have surgery until you have exhausted all non-surgical options.
Below are my pre and post xrays, lateral and front view.
IMG_20130429_110609_254 (2).jpgIMG_20130429_110717_285 (2).jpg[ATTACH]
Last edited by susancook; 08-31-2018 at 12:48 AM.
Reason: An aged addled mind needs revison option.....
Adult Onset Degen Scoliosis @65, 25* T & 36* L w/ 11.2 cm coronal balance; T kyphosis 90*; Sev disc degen T & L stenosis
2013: T3- S1 Fusion w/ ALIF L4-S1/XLIF L2-4, PSF T4-S1 2 surgeries
2014: Hernia @ ALIF repaired; Emergency screw removal SCI T4,5 sec to PJK
2015: Rev Broken Bil T & L rods and no fusion: 2 revision surgeries; hardware P. Acnes infection
2016: Ant/Lat Lumbar diskectomy w/ 4 cages + BMP + harvested bone
2018: Removal L4,5 screw
2021: Removal T1 screw & rod