Question about scoliosis...?

Question

I am a 20 year old female and i have scoliosis. They told me i had it at age 13-14 and said nothing could be done because it was not severve enough and plus i was still growing ! (obvious things i knew). I think i had a curviture or about 8 degrees which is not that bad. Lately i feel as though it has gotten alot worse....I get alot of knots in my back and headaches...and so on. I try to excersice alot so i can strengthen the muscles... I guess what my question is... when do they usually consider surgery.. what age? Severity? does anyone have any personal experiences...if so i would love to here them...i would love to learn more about it..

and yes i am going to go to a doctor for follow up

Answer 1

If your curve is bad enough or increasing fast enough, surgery will be considered at any age, really.  Most surgeries are done after you're done growing and after your curve has gotten larger than 50 degrees, give or take.  But if your curve is over approx. 50 degrees, you're a candidate about any time.

Surgery is a last resort treatment so if exercising, bracing, and PT don't work, and if your pain level is great enough, and if your quality of life is down the tubes, surgery is well worth considering.

Pain management is also worth considering.  Many pain meds are available, by themselves or in combination with others.  When you're given a new med, find out how long its supposed to take before the med does its job. Give your med time to work. If its not working and you've given it an honest chance, talk to your doctor to let him/her know what's going on and that you'd like to either adjust your dosage or else try something else.

Answer 2

At 20 y/o and with an 8% curvature, you really aren't appropriate for a surgical intervention which would involve a steel brace in your back.  An intervention is usually considered when the curvature is >20% and still growing is a brace.  Once you have stopped growing or your curvature is significant, then the intervention is surgical.  The fact that you are keeping you back muscle strong is a good thing.  But because there is an imbalance in how your muscle pull on your spine, you are prone to muscle fatigue and strain...  a simple answer is good stretching, warm baths and frequent massages to keep those muscle supple will help.  Other than several relatives and some friends with varying degrees of curvature, my experience is limited to patients and readings.  Sorry I couldn't be more personal, though.

Definitely talk with your doctor, and for more info review the web link below.  I honestly think you you are doing well all things considered.  So hopefully you can find advice to help you do better.

and I hope this info helps.   Peace