Scoliosis!?!?!
Question: Scoliosis!!?!!?
i am so confused:/ i went to 2 different orthopedic doctors and one said i need surgery while the other said i dont!!! i am getting a third opinion but this is so confusing! i already got my hopes up on having a straight back but idk if i can now!. i am uncomfortable and i do have mild pain when i bend over!. i have a 39 degree curve in my lower spine, if i had to choose, would it be right to get surgery!? because i do want to have children someday and i heard that it is hard to be pregnant when you have surgery and i do have pain and discomfort, so if you have suggestions that would be great! thanks!Www@Answer-Health@Com
Answers:
Bottom line, you should do what is best for you!. Since two doctors are giving you different opinions, you definitely should consult another doctor!. I have a 30 degree curve, but did not have surgery or any treatment!. However, I had no symptoms!. Mine was only found when I had a physical for nursing school!. First, consult another doctor and then talk to a physical therapist!. Physical therapists can offer some exercises that may relieve some of the pain!. You should not have to bear the pain!.Www@Answer-Health@Com
what do they plan on doing, at least the doctor that wants to do this surgery to start with!?!?
My whole spine is fuse but I had Severe Scholisios since birth and so I'm use to whatever normal is suppose to be ya know!?!?
Did they send you to physical therapy to start with!?!? Did it help if you went!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
My whole spine is fuse but I had Severe Scholisios since birth and so I'm use to whatever normal is suppose to be ya know!?!?
Did they send you to physical therapy to start with!?!? Did it help if you went!?!?Www@Answer-Health@Com
DE101-
I've answered of few of your other posts, so I hope this isn't too repetative : )
I'll start by saying try a third opinion since you have two conflicting ones!. Also ask your first two docs to tell you their reasoning for wanting to do or hold off surgery!. There's nothing wrong with trying conservative therapy first!. It gives you body time to stop growing!. But your doctor should be upfront and tell you if conservative therapy is not working and it's time for surgery!.
Are you being treated at a Shriner's Hospital/Clinic!? Speaking as a former patient and as a nurse, Shriner's is absolutely the best place for scoliosis patients under 21! If you are, ask the docs/nurses if they can arrange for you to visit/talk with other patients or people who will be involved in your care!. Other places may do this too, but I think Shriner's goes above and beyond for their kids!.
I had surgery shortly before I turned 14 (1985)!. My top curve was fused using stainless Steel Harrington rods and bone chips from my hip!. My curves were well over 40-degrees and worsening even with bracing!.
There are risks with every surgery, even minor procedures (I'm an OR nurse now)!. Your parents (don't know if you're over 18) and you will to make an informed decision about surgery's benefits vs!. risk!. If the curve is severe and not corrected it can affect your heart, your ability to breath or carry a pregnancy!.
In general:
If the curve is small when first diagnosed, it can be observed with routine x-rays and measurements!. If the it stays <25 degrees, no other treatment is needed!.
If the curve is 25-40 degrees, a brace may be recommended!.
If the curve is >40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended!.
I never had to do physical therapy after surgery!. I was up walking the first day they said I could!.
My pain was well controlled!. Really the only time it hurt was one time I was half-asleep and tried to sit up suddenly!. Anesthesia can leave you feeling confused for the first day or so!. Pain meds can make you sleepy &/or confused, especially at higher doses!. Anesthesia and pain meds can both cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation!. Additional meds can be given along with the pain meds to conteract these side effects!.
I'm as normally functioning as anyone!. Having surgery in summer, I never got off schedule with school!. Graduated college at 20 and have been an OR nurse for 16 years, one of the most physically demanding areas of nursing (lots of lifting and lots of standing in one place for long periods)!. I've had 2 children without difficulty (didn't even use an epidural)!. I love to travel (I don't set off metal detectors), yoga (though the fusion prevents some positions), and SCUBA dive!. I can pretty much do anything I want!. My bottom curve aches now and then, I'm supposed to take 1-2 Alleve at bed time, but us nurses are awful patients, so I don't do it regularly!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com
I've answered of few of your other posts, so I hope this isn't too repetative : )
I'll start by saying try a third opinion since you have two conflicting ones!. Also ask your first two docs to tell you their reasoning for wanting to do or hold off surgery!. There's nothing wrong with trying conservative therapy first!. It gives you body time to stop growing!. But your doctor should be upfront and tell you if conservative therapy is not working and it's time for surgery!.
Are you being treated at a Shriner's Hospital/Clinic!? Speaking as a former patient and as a nurse, Shriner's is absolutely the best place for scoliosis patients under 21! If you are, ask the docs/nurses if they can arrange for you to visit/talk with other patients or people who will be involved in your care!. Other places may do this too, but I think Shriner's goes above and beyond for their kids!.
I had surgery shortly before I turned 14 (1985)!. My top curve was fused using stainless Steel Harrington rods and bone chips from my hip!. My curves were well over 40-degrees and worsening even with bracing!.
There are risks with every surgery, even minor procedures (I'm an OR nurse now)!. Your parents (don't know if you're over 18) and you will to make an informed decision about surgery's benefits vs!. risk!. If the curve is severe and not corrected it can affect your heart, your ability to breath or carry a pregnancy!.
In general:
If the curve is small when first diagnosed, it can be observed with routine x-rays and measurements!. If the it stays <25 degrees, no other treatment is needed!.
If the curve is 25-40 degrees, a brace may be recommended!.
If the curve is >40 degrees, then surgery may be recommended!.
I never had to do physical therapy after surgery!. I was up walking the first day they said I could!.
My pain was well controlled!. Really the only time it hurt was one time I was half-asleep and tried to sit up suddenly!. Anesthesia can leave you feeling confused for the first day or so!. Pain meds can make you sleepy &/or confused, especially at higher doses!. Anesthesia and pain meds can both cause nausea, vomiting, and constipation!. Additional meds can be given along with the pain meds to conteract these side effects!.
I'm as normally functioning as anyone!. Having surgery in summer, I never got off schedule with school!. Graduated college at 20 and have been an OR nurse for 16 years, one of the most physically demanding areas of nursing (lots of lifting and lots of standing in one place for long periods)!. I've had 2 children without difficulty (didn't even use an epidural)!. I love to travel (I don't set off metal detectors), yoga (though the fusion prevents some positions), and SCUBA dive!. I can pretty much do anything I want!. My bottom curve aches now and then, I'm supposed to take 1-2 Alleve at bed time, but us nurses are awful patients, so I don't do it regularly!.
Good luck!Www@Answer-Health@Com