Scoliosis Support Group

Sincerely,
I just logged into this blog and hope your surgery went well and you will lead a great and active life whether with or without riding. For you and others considering riding, this is a very personal decision, but here is my story for those not ready to give up on riding. I would say if one doesn't already ride, they may be wise to choose another sport as new riders don't have the muscling, riding balance and tend to fall off more.
I was diagnosed as a 16 year old, but they said I was too "old " for surgery or bracing at that time. I was told not to ride horses or motorcycles. Being me, I did both plus anything else fun, adventuresome or downright crazy. I eventually decided the motorcycle was too much stress on my back but have continued riding and currently compete FEI Dressage. I am ranked in the top 2-10 amateurs nationally every year. I ride every day. I have found that the riding keeps me limber and that I hurt less when I ride. I have episodes when my pain kicks in at a very high level (usually due to sitting too much or too much plane travel), and invariably when I crawl to the barn or the showgrounds and get on the horse the pain subsides and I can compete happily.
I am finding that the last 3 years I have started to have an increase in curvature which my orthopedic has said is probably related to genetics and age, not riding. I have started on pilates and now wear a spinecor brace and I may move into hunter jumper as there is less compression. I have been told by my orthopedic surgeon to hold off on surgery as long as possible, but he does not think the riding is affecting my ultimate outcome or timing/need for surgery.
I relaize your specific question is about rising after surgery, but other riders may be pre-surgery like me.