Increasing curve but no pain – do they do revision for this?

[Pooka1]

The issue with long term seems to be curve type is a major factor. That is, if just the thorax is involved, even the H-rods do a reasonable job. Once you involve the lumbar, H-rods and newer instrumentation struggle.

Some people with large curves especially lumbar probably do better without surgery. But people with T curves seem have a net benefit from surgery.

So it is more curve location that determines destiny rather than treatment mode.

[sherries]

I'm new to forum. I had Harrington rod surgery in 1975 at 16 yo. Curve was reduced from 80 degrees to 55. I was told it would not get worse. Now it's 65 degrees. I'm 61. No pain, but I'm afraid curve will increase. Any thoughts? Also, how do women deal with clothes/poor self-image? I'm a size small but always have to get medium because of right hump. My torso is also truncated, so I feel like my chest is collapsing into my waist. Not looking for any surgery, but physical and emotional support. Thanks

[jackieg412]

Having just doing another revision of my scoliosis surgery for a similar situation, I am not sure if anything other than surgery can help with issues like that. I was collapsing like that and I couldn't live like that.

[titaniumed]

I'm new to forum. I had Harrington rod surgery in 1975 at 16 yo. Curve was reduced from 80 degrees to 55. I was told it would not get worse. Now it's 65 degrees. I'm 61. No pain, but I'm afraid curve will increase. Any thoughts? Also, how do women deal with clothes/poor self-image? I'm a size small but always have to get medium because of right hump. My torso is also truncated, so I feel like my chest is collapsing into my waist. Not looking for any surgery, but physical and emotional support. Thanks

45 years with no pain is incredible! I would chalk that off as a huge success.....Who did your surgery and where was it done?

Welcome to the forum!

Ed

[sherries]

Having just doing another revision of my scoliosis surgery for a similar situation, I am not sure if anything other than surgery can help with issues like that. I was collapsing like that and I couldn't live like that.

sorry I don't know how to use this forum or see responses or reply?


dr hugo kiem Columbia presbyterian hospital did surgery

[sherries]

Having just doing another revision of my scoliosis surgery for a similar situation, I am not sure if anything other than surgery can help with issues like that. I was collapsing like that and I couldn't live like that.

I checked my medical records. I had Harrington Road T7-L2. Curve went from 80 to 55 but now is 65.

[sherries]

Hi Irene
Almost 9 years ago I spoke with a scoliosis specialist in Toronto. Although my primary curve has increased ( not sure the degree now but quite a bit more than the corrected 40 something), the doc felt surgery was not indictated as I am functional and largely pain free). I am 72. My first surgery was in 1961 and 2nd 1981
I have and continue to have a comfortable life. Do I like my rib hump, flat back, my terrible posture, not at all. But...
I am happy to chat.. There is little information on aging scoliosis or post Harrington rod long term outcomes.
Regards, Susan

I would love to chat with someone. I'm in similar situation and curve. sherrie

[LindaRacine]

I would love to chat with someone. I'm in similar situation and curve. sherrie xxx-xxx-xxxx thanks

Hi Sherrie...

You might want to edit your post to remove your phone number. Unfortunately, there are people who may try to take advantage of you.

Regarding your scoliosis, I wouldn't personally worry about a 10 degree increase over 45 years. It's possible that your curve will continue to increase, but the risk of your curve getting to a level that might affect your physical health, is pretty minimal. I get that the deformity bothers you, but adult scoliosis surgery is relatively high risk. There's a very real possibility that the surgery might cause long-term pain or other permanent complications. You might want to consider finding a psychologist who specializes in treating patients with body image issues. I've hated by body image for most of my life, but at some point, I learned that the people I want to be friends with don't judge me for how I look.

Best of luck.

Regards,
Linda

[sherries]

[QUOTE=sherries;173138]sorry I don't know how to use this forum or see responses or reply?


dr hugo kiem Columbia presbyterian hospital did surgery

[titaniumed]

Sherrie, Great chatting with you.

Tomorrow, call me and we will set up your own thread.

If you can get the 3yr old Dr Errico x-ray files selected off the disc, then you can either load them here, or e-mail them. I can help you with all of this. You just need a computer with a drive. Look for the coronal and sagittal views. Front and side views. The side views are very important.

How interesting that we are both S curve patients from the 1975 scoliosis time period. (and 15 miles from one another) It's a small world.

Ed

[curlygirl]

I'm the original poster on this thread and haven't visited this forum in a long time. I feel like my curve has been getting worse over the past year but I haven't been to a doctor recently to have it measured. I'm planning on getting an appointment soon but I guess it's going to be info only since it's unlikely anyone would recommend surgery. I'm now 67. I have developed pain in my right lower leg and was sent to a pain management practice by my PCP. After doing a lumbar MRI and a lot of analysis, they found some degenerative disc disease and their official diagnosis was lumbar radiculitis. They gave me a steroid injection in L5 and I feel a lot better and they have a specialized spine PT practice that seems very good. They are doing some manual therapy and also giving me core stabilizing exercises. But once more I'm tossing clothing and getting looser and looser stuff and it's kind of depressing. I'm hoping that the core stabilizing exercises could prevent the curve from shifting more but does anyone know if that's the case? The PT seems to think so. If that is really the case I wish an ortho would have sent me to PT years ago.

Also, over the past year I have been taking classical guitar lessons. I have been careful to watch my posture and have an ergonomic guitar support that fits on the bottom of the guitar with suction cups and sits on the thigh. This secures the guitar in place so that I'm not bending. I've had my husband sneak random peeks at me and he thinks my posture looks good. However, I do know that you have to look left a lot when playing and maybe look down a bit, but I'm pretty confident I'm not bending my back. Am I missing something and could playing the guitar be harmful?

Thanks much,
Irene

[LindaRacine]

I'm the original poster on this thread and haven't visited this forum in a long time. I feel like my curve has been getting worse over the past year but I haven't been to a doctor recently to have it measured. I'm planning on getting an appointment soon but I guess it's going to be info only since it's unlikely anyone would recommend surgery. I'm now 67. I have developed pain in my right lower leg and was sent to a pain management practice by my PCP. After doing a lumbar MRI and a lot of analysis, they found some degenerative disc disease and their official diagnosis was lumbar radiculitis. They gave me a steroid injection in L5 and I feel a lot better and they have a specialized spine PT practice that seems very good. They are doing some manual therapy and also giving me core stabilizing exercises. But once more I'm tossing clothing and getting looser and looser stuff and it's kind of depressing. I'm hoping that the core stabilizing exercises could prevent the curve from shifting more but does anyone know if that's the case? The PT seems to think so. If that is really the case I wish an ortho would have sent me to PT years ago.

Also, over the past year I have been taking classical guitar lessons. I have been careful to watch my posture and have an ergonomic guitar support that fits on the bottom of the guitar with suction cups and sits on the thigh. This secures the guitar in place so that I'm not bending. I've had my husband sneak random peeks at me and he thinks my posture looks good. However, I do know that you have to look left a lot when playing and maybe look down a bit, but I'm pretty confident I'm not bending my back. Am I missing something and could playing the guitar be harmful?

Thanks much,
Irene

Hi Irene...

So many of us older folks feel like our curves are worsening. You should definitely get evaluated by your specialist and have full spine radiographs taken. While it's possible that your curve is getting worse, the more likely culprit is a loss of muscle tone due to age. If that's the case, welcome to the club to which none of us want to be members. In the meantime, I'm delighted to hear that the injection helped and continues to help, and that your PT exercises help with both your pain and feeling of degeneration. Hope you'll keep us posted.

--Linda

[curlygirl]

Thanks, Linda! I'm just about to make an appointment to get checked out. Have you ever heard of playing guitar being contraindicated for scoliosis patients? I just hope I'm not doing anything to make matters worse - wondering if you've run into that question before.

[LindaRacine]

Have you ever heard of playing guitar being contraindicated for scoliosis patients?

Nope. I think there are some instruments that might be an issue, but probably only if they're played for many hours a day, but I can't imagine that guitars would be a problem. Play on!