I need your opinion...surgery vs back bracing?

Question

I am 13...about 5 months ago I found out that I had scoliosis ( 39 degrees upper, 28 lower) and I would need to wear a brace. I was horrified by that thought, and then I kind of got over it...but then around 2 or 3 months later, I got the brace. It was horrible..and still is!! Ive been wearing it for around 2 months... It is big and bulky and very hard to hide under clothes. i can never find a good sleep position when I sleep and I cant relaly ever do anything fun with my friends because I have to wear it 24/7. I always tell my self its going to be okay...but everytime its time to get ready to go somewhere I break down into tears. I can never find anything to fit over. My mom has probably spent around $1000 on new clothes for it and I feel bad because she thinks that you cant see it but you really cant. ITS HORRIBLE!!! It gives me a sore back because i have to stand up perfeclty straight and it makes my skin red and sore after. It also hurts my ribs and hip bones and it comes up under my arm and it hurts and you can always see it. I HAve to wear bigger pants and jeans and it sucks! I cant even wear shorts or anything in summer. I can barely ever go to the beach or pool or wild rivers or amusemtn parks or parties. I have to wear it until I stop growing for like 3 years or soemthing. SOmetimes I wonder if having surgery would be better and easier. I mean...bracing isnt even garunteed to work and surgery pretty much is. I would be put to sleep and stuff and I wouldnt feel it and then I wake up and bam its all better I got it over with no more brace. Recovery isnt even that long ...the only thing is I would have a scar on my back Ithink. What do you think? Would you choose surgery or back bracing?

Answer 1

If the brace is causing you more harm than good you should talk to your doctor about adjusting it.  Deciding on surgery or not is ultimately something that you, your doctor and your mother need to discuss and weigh the pro's and cons.  Every person is different and where someone can say "Yes go for it" that doesn't mean it is the decision for you.

Talk to your doctor, tell him about your problems and talk to him about surgery options.  If surgery would help your problem and make it possible to not wear a brace then that sounds like an excellent option.  Don't rush into any decisions however.

Answer 2

From what it seems, your spine isn't "curved" enough to get the surgery. Where i got mine the criteria was that your spine had to be curved 55 degrees or more. But you should definitely talk to your doctor about the surgery just to make sure.

Ive had the surgery and it really isn't that bad.

And about the surgery, if you have any questions, email me at [e-mail]

Answer 3

Unfortunately ... doctors dont always want to perform surgery yet because your bones are still growing ... they like to wait as long as possible for the highest possible success after surgery.

C