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  • Hello everyone! ^_^

    hey everyone im new here. I just joined. I have been looking for a forum just like this, hope to stay a wile nice to meet you all! My name is Markus, and im 16. I am pretty sure i have Idiopathic (hope i spelled it right lol) scoliosis. Last time i was at the doctors they said i had a 37 degree curve, just like a backwards ''s''. (sorry i dont know if there is a specific name for it) Anyways, this was about 2 years ago lol. Im pretty bad about keeping up with the appointments. I was supposed to wear a brace but it was more uncomfortable wearing the thing, than to just not wear it at all. Anyways nowadays i feel my back has gotten worse, but im not sure how much, i think im somewhere between 40 and 45. I know i need to do something about it, but im not sure what. Ive been ignoring it for some time now, and im starting to feel the soreness of it all at the end of the day. I am considering surgery, i have an appointment in a month to talk to my doctor about what to do. I looked up some things online and they really scared me. Is it really so much pain and suffering that we must go through after surgery??? I really wanna know...cus i dont wanna do surgery if its gonna be like that. I am thinking of just getting a new brace fit, and just trying to keep it stopped where its at, then if it continues ill consider surgery more. I would like to know from some others what you think, or thought about surgery. Is the afterward pain really worth it??

  • #2
    Hello, my name is Mochi (I am a girl, by the way, it's hard to tell just by looking at the name ^_^, and I also have the same type of scoliosis with similar degrees. I am fourteen years old, and my degrees are: 33 thorasic (upper) 52 lumbar (lower). I'd definatly say that surgery should always be a last option, because the effects are irreversable. I've been taking chiropractic therapy, and so far it's worked far better than I first expected. My mom makes me do all this physical therapy stuff, and it can be really tough to keep up at times, but it does work. I know the reserch and for the majority of the time, surgery can be painful and causes all sorts of complications after you get it. Your bones will continue to grow until you reach 18, so if you want my opinion, I'd say that it's too early to take the easy route out of scoliosis. Two years is plenty of time to straighten out your curves with the right treatment and equipment. As for the hard brace, you can pretty much trash it. That's what I did with mine. A new brace called the SpineCor brace is out on the market, and it is one that uses elastic straps in place of hard plastic to pull your curves. It is flexible, mildly comfortable, and the best thing is that it's completely invisible under clothing (lol). I've actually heard that the hard brace will not do you as much good as it should. Muscles and bones interact with each other in order to function properly. A hard brace will push your bones into place, but it is like a cast; it will leave your muscles weak. If your muscles holding your bones in place are not strong, your curves will go back to the way they were, even if your back was completely straight. The only bad thing about SpineCor is that it's pretty new, so it's not available in many areas. Luckily for me, I live near a place where you can get fitted for one. Trust me, you do not want to get surgery. I've heard so many bad stories about it that I decided I'd rather die than have it done to me. It's not too late to keep trying, so don't give up! ^.^

    ~Daifuku Mochi XD

    Comment


    • #3
      Thank you! Youve given me alot more hope. ^_^ it means alot, truly.

      Comment


      • #4
        Mochi, It's fantastic that you are working so hard on the physical therapy as well as seeing the chiropractor. I hope you understand that the PT and bracing will not correct the curve, but hopefully slow, or stop the progession of the curve. The benefit to this is that it will allow you to wait until your growth has essentially stopped which will make possible surgical correction more stable (the waiting). The benefit of the PT and bracing is that with the curve progression stopped, or slowed, it means that when, if, you should decide to have surgery there will be less of a correction needed, and a better correction achieved. Before you decide definitely not to have surgery, you and your parents should talk to the orthopedic doctor about what may happen down the road when you get much older. I think it is possible that as you get older, the curves may start progressing again. If that is true it will probably mean that you will need surgery then. Although it is no "walk in the park", having the surgery as a teen, is much easier than when you are into your 40's, 50, or even later.


        To Markus: you'll want to wait until your next doctor's appoinment to consider you options. If you're worried about the pain of surgery it's okay to, and understandable, but not having surgery can lead to many more problems with long term back problems, pain, and even heart and lung problems if the curves get severe enough. Be sure that you go this time as it is important to see where you are with the curve. It's a very real possibiliy that the curves have gotten much worse. If so, don't freak. take it one step at a time and see what you need to do.

        Comment


        • #5
          hi!
          im 16years old 2, n i only found out bout my scoliosis a few months ago. It is now 42degrees (idiopathic) and im havin surgery in 3weeks. i foun out bout mine wen i was in singapore, n i saw a specialist there. He told me i 3 options. 1. to leave it 2. to have a brace or 3. surgery. But he also sed there was no point in getting a brace at my age as i hv almost stopped growin n braces usually only prevent the curve frm gettin worse rather than makin it better. obviously im no expert on al this, bt personally i fink a brace now wud no gd (n by de lks of fings, u dont want 1 either).

          Im not worried bout havin surgery at al, im more excited than anything. thats cos i h8 my hips n bein short, n i jus find de pain annoyin. Though surgery wil b painful, i fink in de long term it wil b worth it cos hopefully once ive fused i wont get any pain at al (atleast nt as often as i do now).

          Like 'the slice' sed, find out how much ur curve has progressed n then talk 2 ur doctor bout ur options. u may want to consider the fact that if ur curve is more than 50", theres a chance it cud continue 2 get worse throughout ur adulthood.

          Hope this helps! if u wana chat or ask me anything, email me on chocoholic173000@hotmail.co.uk
          Becki
          16y/o girl
          42" thorocolumbar curve + rotation
          Had anterior surgery on 9th sept 2006
          www.myspace.com/curvesarecool

          Comment


          • #6
            Hi Markus.

            I'm Linda and I'm 15. I recently just had surgery, and i'm about 3-4 weeks post op now for my curve of 65 and 40.

            I really think that you should make your decision after you see your doctor. Surgery should always be the last option. I really had no choice since I discovered my scoli when it was already at 65. But my parents decided to give a brace a try anyways. And I got the spinecor brace that Mochi mentioned. It's really a great brace, but I don't think it did much for me since I only wore it for 2 months as protection before the surgery =P.

            You should look at what you want first before deciding on surgery. Are you in pain? Are you ok with the way your back looks?

            As for the pain from surgery, it varies from person to person. On a scale of 1-10, the most I was at was a 6 but that was RIGHT after I woke up from surgery and they were moving down the bed. For me, I just had a lot of soreness. I was never in "real" pain like screaming pain. It's very controled and the doctors will take care of you and give you pain meds. Sometimes it is hard, but recovery zooms right past you.

            Good luck on making your decision. If you have any mroe question feel free to email me at xbittersweets@gmail.com
            [Name] Linda
            [Curve] 65* & 40*
            [Age] 15
            [Surgery] July 20, 2006
            [Post Op Curve] 13* & 14*

            Comment


            • #7
              Markus, I hope you have also read what I addressed to Mochi in the same post as that will apply to you in your decision making. If your appearance is really important to you, one thing you can do is have someone whom you are comfortable with, take a picture of your bare back while you are standing. You will get a perspective that you can't get any other way. Using two mirrors won't work as you won't be able to get a "straight on" look at your back. You want a doctor who will be honest with you. With that said, they may tell you, or you may wonder, if it could have been prevented had you stayed with the brace and the appointments. Don't beat your self up about the decisions that you made earlier, but understand that you need to take the CURRENT situation more seriously, and do what you need to do. If the advice you are given doesn't make sense, don't hesitate to get advice from your parent(s), or even getting a second opinion from another doctor. Like i said before, don't put it off any further, you'll feel beter when you have a better idea of what's happening. What is probably the hardest part of dealing with all of this is the unknown.

              Comment


              • #8
                Thank you all Slice, Becky, Linda, and Mochi. Your words have given me confidence and hope, and helping me get a better picture of whats happening,thanks a bunch! ^^

                Comment


                • #9
                  Markus, I think the advice given to you by Slice is some of the best advice I have heard given. It is true , factual and honest. I had my operation in 1966 that was when one should have been worried, not now with all the new wonderful things that are being done and discovered.
                  It scares me to read some of the posts like yours as what slice has said is absolutely correct, lungs, heart and pain long term are not worth the risk.
                  I really feel strongly about this, and think you sound like a sweety, so all the best and please keep us informed, things are never as bad as what you may think, that I have learnt over the years and I am 54 years of age so thats a lot of years!! (haha)

                  Remember though these are my thoughts only.

                  Hi Becki, I grew 2 and a half inches after my operation dunno what that is in centremetres, but still it was pretty cool. Best of luck sweety, let us know how you get on. xx


                  Macky xx
                  Operation 1966, Fused from T4 to L3, had Harrington rods inserted. Originally had an 85 degree Thoracic curve with lumbar scoliosis as well but had a good correction.
                  Perfectly normal life till 1997 but now in a lot of pain daily. Consider myself very fortunate though.

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    hey
                    thanx macky, im gettin quite nervous now! 7days! 6 days til i fly to the UK! wil email u guys wen i get bk!
                    Becki
                    16y/o girl
                    42" thorocolumbar curve + rotation
                    Had anterior surgery on 9th sept 2006
                    www.myspace.com/curvesarecool

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Hi Beck, who is going to go with you? I am glad you are asking questions on other posts here as well. The more you know sweety the more you can be ready for.

                      Go Girl!!
                      Macky
                      Operation 1966, Fused from T4 to L3, had Harrington rods inserted. Originally had an 85 degree Thoracic curve with lumbar scoliosis as well but had a good correction.
                      Perfectly normal life till 1997 but now in a lot of pain daily. Consider myself very fortunate though.

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        my mum is staying with me de hole time, n my dad is comin ova on my 1st weekend n mayb de 2nd. he cant stay the hole time cos he needs 2 stay wit my 15yr old brother n take him 2 skool. my brother isn comin cos he wants 2 hv hous parties wen wer al away lol
                        Becki
                        16y/o girl
                        42" thorocolumbar curve + rotation
                        Had anterior surgery on 9th sept 2006
                        www.myspace.com/curvesarecool

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Becki, thats great your mum can go with you. I still remember my mum coming to see me and how glad I was to see her and that she was there. I had to travel to get my operation done as well.

                          Huh, brothers can be little devils cant they. I dont have any, but I have two sons ,both grown up now and I can remember any chance they got to have a sneaky party they jolly well did so.

                          Today is the 5th and I will be thinking of you on the 9th, Looking forward to hearing from you when its all over and you are feeling fantastic and taller too!.
                          Macky
                          Operation 1966, Fused from T4 to L3, had Harrington rods inserted. Originally had an 85 degree Thoracic curve with lumbar scoliosis as well but had a good correction.
                          Perfectly normal life till 1997 but now in a lot of pain daily. Consider myself very fortunate though.

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            ahhh!!!! im leavin 2moro!! was spose 2 fly the nxt day bt goin 2mz cos we hv fog n r takin no chances!! so 3days until i hv it!!!! im stil nt partically nervous-my boyf is more nervous than me! at skool 2day i gt my 1st present it was a pair of shoes i wanted from my friends! ok g2g now...last minute packin...... bye!
                            Becki
                            16y/o girl
                            42" thorocolumbar curve + rotation
                            Had anterior surgery on 9th sept 2006
                            www.myspace.com/curvesarecool

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              Good Luck becki, will be praying for you tomorrow. Will be doing that until we hear from you again.

                              Macky xx
                              Operation 1966, Fused from T4 to L3, had Harrington rods inserted. Originally had an 85 degree Thoracic curve with lumbar scoliosis as well but had a good correction.
                              Perfectly normal life till 1997 but now in a lot of pain daily. Consider myself very fortunate though.

                              Comment

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