Hey Susan,
Do you think it is fear of the unknown? Maybe you could talk to several patients who have had the surgery. Maybe you can also find some people with similar pain levels as you who did not have surgery. Everyone is different but if you talk to enough people you might find an answer for your situation.
I agree this decision is no easy task. I would not be able to decide for many adult patients whereas the decision for both my daughters was a no-brainer... it was obvious that surgery would be better than no surgery. It's about letting go of the fantasy of normal and cutting losses. It was not a hard decision from a technical/medical standpoint. There is a reason virtually all orthopedic surgeons recommend fusing large progressive T curves in kids. Surgery is not only the last resort but the only resort to hope to salvage a normal life.
In the case of adults with lumbar involvement and pain and where the curve obviously won't literally kill you, there is a spectrum of considerations and plenty of grey area. None of that conduces to making the decision easy. Don't beat yourself up over not deciding.
Good luck.
Do you think it is fear of the unknown? Maybe you could talk to several patients who have had the surgery. Maybe you can also find some people with similar pain levels as you who did not have surgery. Everyone is different but if you talk to enough people you might find an answer for your situation.
I agree this decision is no easy task. I would not be able to decide for many adult patients whereas the decision for both my daughters was a no-brainer... it was obvious that surgery would be better than no surgery. It's about letting go of the fantasy of normal and cutting losses. It was not a hard decision from a technical/medical standpoint. There is a reason virtually all orthopedic surgeons recommend fusing large progressive T curves in kids. Surgery is not only the last resort but the only resort to hope to salvage a normal life.
In the case of adults with lumbar involvement and pain and where the curve obviously won't literally kill you, there is a spectrum of considerations and plenty of grey area. None of that conduces to making the decision easy. Don't beat yourself up over not deciding.
Good luck.
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