Have you had or know someone that has had surgery for Scoliosis???

My cousin just had surgery a few months ago. Hers was so severe though. She only found one doctor that would do the surgery. Like I said, hers was really severe and she was in her late 30's by the time she had the surgery. She had two rods placed on each side of her spine. She had awesome will power and recovered quickly. I'm glad you are getting the surgery. My cousin's parents could never afford to get the surgery and she suffered so badly and now she is like a whole different person. She walks straight and she isn't in pain like she was before. She was in so much pain that she was often depressed and very moody. But now she is fantastic. Keep us posted!

I had a herrington rod placed in my back for scoliosis a long time ago, I think it was right before I went into high school. I was in a back brace for 5 years before that, but it didn't work. Some spins like mine are stubborn! The recovery was relatively quick compared to the surgery that they offered me at first, some barbaric kind that requires a cast for a year! So I was thankful that my mother found a different doctor. Are they going to try a brace first? I don't see why they would jump right to surgery, most of the doctors I talked to always tried a brace first since it's less invasive and risky. But no matter what, I am fine. I've had a child, it was a little scary but I managed it. After all this time, my only complaint is that I get achey in the back when it gets cold, like right now.

I don't know anyone who has had this surgery, but I wanted you to know that my thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter. It's a scary thing for a Mom to have to deal with, not to mention your daughter. You are so smart to read up on this before you see the specialist. Write out all of your questions and don't be afraid to make him sit there and answer them all until you are satisfied- that's your right. No question or concern is too small to ask about. I'm not sure how extensive the surgery is for scoliosis, but I will read up a little on it. I'm sure that she will need to wear a brace for a while post-operatively and will probably need some physical therapy, but I'll bet that the recovery time is minimal. At least kids bounce back very quickly from this type of thing. Remember to take care of yourself, Tia. You have to stay strong and healthy to get her through this.

Oh, honey, I am so sorry that I missed this post until just now; and I have been waiting and looking for it. In fact I thought about private messaging you; but then thought for sure you would post when you knew something. Right now the screen I am on won't let me read all of the responses from the past 6 days. I am going to stop writing and read them and then come back to you. You know that you and your family are in my white light of love ~Donna

First of all Tia, sorry to hear the news about your daughter!! I too have some major spine problems, but not scoliosis. My friend's niece had surgery for her scoliosis, and it changed her life. She has a rod inserted next to her whole spine, and it has straightened her spine. I have had a lumbar spinal fusion and a laminectomy (bone removal on 3 vertabrae for me). I have 6 screws and 2 titanium rods holding me all together in the lumbar area. I had 2 discs removed and my bone and bone from a bone bank inserted where the discs were. What I can tell you about my own spinal surgery (all surgeries are different, so keep that in mind) that the pain was very intense (I don't want to lie) but with good pain meds, and the right surgeon, I am a walking miracle!! I was not able to lean, bend over or twist for 1 year! I also was not allowed to lift anything heavier then a gallon of milk! (the kids helped me a lot, but they've been on strike since I got better!!) My surgery was 3 years ago, and people wouldn't even know I've had anything done if I didn't tell them! I would say to get another opinion (besides this orthopeadic one) just to put your mind at ease. Read as much as you can and be informed. A great site that I used is spineuniverse.com They have a ton of info on there!! I would also suggest to not wait, since this could cause your daughter more pain and suffering in the future. Please keep us informed! I will keep you and your daughter in my prayers!! I wish you well!! :)

First of all please accept my apologizes. I personally have scoliosis but didn't have surgery but wish I would have. I didn't find out I had it until i was in the 10th grade. At the time I was told it was too late to have surgery to correct it. I have chronic back pain all the time. When I had my children I had horrible back pain. Much worse than normal pregnancy back pain. When I was in labor I had an epidural which didn't take correctly ue to my conduition. With my second child they couldn't get the epidural in correctly. It was attempted 3 times and each time it went in crooked. It finally took on one side and I said enough. I was extremely painful getting it that many times. Again i am very sorry and I know you are scared I'm a mom too, but if it is up to you please do this for your daughter to spare her the pain that I've been through.

How old is your daugther?What is the degree of scholiosis? Unfortunately, physiotherapy or yoga have not been proven to be useful. Bracing has not been found to be useful in stopping progression of a congenital curve. They have better value in treating idiopathic curves. Regular assessment in terms of clinical & radiological, is mandatory. I wonder if standing erect X-rays of whole spine were taken and the cobbs angles measured on a regular basis. Remember; a 4-6 degree increase a year is actually 40-60 degree increase in the next 10 years! Any surgery is to mainly to stop that progression. Not all patients with similar complaints as yours need an operation, you should try spinal stabilization exercises, abdominal strengthening exercises and postural control training. You can try hot fomentation along with medication for comfort. Swimming may be beneficial. You should also get an MRI done to see the source of compresssion on your nerve. You should follow the advice from any spine specialist or an orthopaedic surgeon.

I just wanted to stop and say that my heart is with you. I do not know much on this topic. But I now will be looking up information on it. Again you are so much in my heart on this whole situation.

I haven't had surgery for it, but I had mild scoliosis when I was a kid and I never got it treated. You're taking a BIG step by helping your daughter, we couldn't afford it or I'd have gotten mine fixed, now I have a lot of hip pain b/c my back is still a little curved at the bottom. Here's some of the links I could find, hope they help... http://www.ucsfhealth.org/childrens/medical_services/ortho/spine/scoliosisSurgery.html (*this one looked especially useful*) http://www.scoliosisrx.com/ This one is geared to parents: http://parentingteens.about.com/cs/scoliosis/l/blscoliosis7.htm

If it were me, I think that I would research all of my options before having surgery performed on any of my children. I think that I would try the brace and other forms of alternative health before having them go under the knife. I also believe that you want the very best for all of your children and that you have probably considered all of your options at this point and feel like you're daughter's best option is with the Orthopedic Specialist. I would encourage you to ask him/her though how many of their patients end up having surgery and how many have had success by wearing the brace. Best of luck to you and your daughter.

Oh Tia, I am so sorry. I dont know anyone who has had surgery for it. I am like you, I would arm myself with knowledge on the surgery. My nephew had scoliosis but he did not have to have surgery. My prayers and thoughts are with your daughter and you.

I chose not to have the SURGERY for mine. The doctor wanted to fuse my back and insert a rod into the back to support the spinal cord that was curved. He was not positive he said I could have this surgery done and it could cause more problems. I know there is never a sure thing with surgery. But I was hoping for more kinder words of encouragement. I have occasional back problems now but nothing really severe. I have to wear a lower back brace now and then when I do something that would strain my back. I fell down stairs when I was 6 months old and that is what caused my spine to curve. I am in my 40's now and doing pretty well not having the back Surgery. Will you be seeing an orthopedic DR that is just for Back/Spinal problems ? Also is he a Pediatric DR ? Sometimes with children it is better to seek a specialist for younger children rather then one who deals with adults also. Good Luck and I will keep you and her in my prayers and hold good thoughts for you.

i was diagnosed with scoliosis when i was in second year college, so that was in 2004. i started to experience pain in my upper left back that radiates to my hips, so i decided to consult a specialist for this. my doctor made me go to a therapy, it's for 6 sessions with 2 weeks of interval for the pain. at first i was so scared. during that time i was still a student nurse, and we often go to orthopedic wards and have our duties there. i always see people that had surgeries for their scoliosis, where in they will put a rod at your back, following the path of your spine. and i don't want that because my movements will be limited. i wont be able to swim anymore, my back should always be upright (the rod would hurt if you bend out of it). with this fear, i asked my doctor if i also need to have surgery on my back, and she said that if the "degrees" of your spine is more than 50 i think, you need surgery because your spine will compress your lungs, and your breathing will be affected. but mine was only 32 degrees so she added more therapies and exercises on my treatment plan so the curve of my back will somehow "lessen". thankfully i didn't need any surgery. i am 21 years old now, i have scoliosis but i managed to stop the severity of it. may i ask you this: is your daughter's scoliosis that severe? because if not, i suggest you try alternative methods first, like therapies. because it would affect your child's daily living if she already has something on her back. wish you all the best, bethel

I am not sure how old your daughter is but you should get her the book "Deenie" by Judy Blume. When I was 13 I was diagnosed with Scoliosis that they said did not require surgery or a back brace because it was unlikely that I would grow much more. One thing I was supposed to do was exercises. Which I didn't stick to and wish now that I had. I have terrible back problems, lower lumbar lordosis (basically a really fancy way of saying very poor posture) so make sure you impress upon your daughter how important it is to follow the doctor's advice - no matter what! But definitely get the book "Deenie" it is about a girl who has scoliosis.

I'm sorry, I don't know anyone personally. I have scoliosis, and never needed surgery. When I was younger though my dad told me of one case in an instance where the child needed surgery. When I was in sixth grade, there was a girl who needed a brace. Later in life ( a few yrs ago) I can't relay any hospital cases because of Hippa laws. How is your daughter? Is she able to walk?

Oh I was really hoping for you and her that it wasn't that. I hope that things go well with the Orthopedic Specialist. I haven't known anyone to have the surgery for that although I have for other back surgeries. I know for some they can be very good. I wish I knew more on it so I could help. You're a mom, your allowed to worry. That's in the job description. The best thing you can do you are doing. Getting as much information as you can on it. The more you know the more you can help her and answer questions she'll have. You'll also know better what to ask the doctor about. I will continue to keep you in my thoughts and hope things go well for you.

I am so sorry. I was hoping it would turn out to be nothing. I hope she doesn't need surgery, but if the doctor says she does, make sure to get a second opinion first. You are taking the right steps by getting as much information as you can. Of course you are worried,that's your precious daughters wellbeing. Keep us updated please and my thoughts are with you and your daughter.

I have a niece that has had this kind of surgery. She's 21 now and she was 16 when she had the surgery done. It was definately a surgery that took a lot of time and sacrafice for both her parents and herself. I'm not trying to alarm you at all, it was very painful for the first few weeks for her, but now a few years later she has said that it was worth what she went through because it fixed many other health issues for her. Good luck to you and your daughter. Let us know how things go.

I've worked in the area of neurosurgery or neuroscience, it's also called. A spinal fusion type surgery can correct scoliosis. I'd likely get more than one surgical opinion, making sure that both or all surgeons have lots of experience with children around the age of your child and at a children's hospital where anesthesia providers and nurses are accustomed to working with kids as well. If you do this kind of research, you'll likely make a good decision and have a great outcome.

Hi, don't know anyone personally who had surgery, but i know of a local celebrity who had surgery in the US, bec her scoliosis is like 36degrees. I have an "S" scoliosis too. One that protrudes to the right (upper) and left (lower) at 12 and 14 degrees I only did some theraphy and exercises. A friend opted for a brace so it wont progress, but I tell you its hot and difficult.