Glad you were able to avoid Scoliosis surgery. Good for you. I wish I had never done it. It is a horrendous surgery and should only be done if you have absolutely no choice and would be seriously deformed without it.

I think an injustice is done to make statements re: avoiding scoliosis surgery. This is decision that one must make after reviewing all..... specifically shopping for appropriate surgeon.....one who has done allot of surgeries. At age 68, i had surgery ...... yes was told that past this age, surgeon would not do it because of age. I looked at surgeons in Texas, Florida, and Maryland. I was fortunately to find an experienced physician. I have abt 3 lbs of hardware in my spine, but i am straight! No longer need lift in shoe. And pain in minimal.... more due to back not curving into chairs if i sit long periods. Sure there are adjustments to daily living, but not for one minute have i regretted the surgery. It gave me my life back!

I have done a lot of research and the vast majority of scoliosis surgeries result in either complications in the short term or more often in the long term down the road as one ages further. Sure a few folks have had success, but very few achieve satisfactory results.
I am totally convinced I made the right choice and still would urge others to really do due diligence in this serious surgery decision.
I have had other major surgeries such as heart and spleen in the past and in those cases the odds of fixing the problem completely was near 100%..and I am 100% today..but the scoliosis surgery is never gives odds of completely fixing the problem. This is my strongly felt opinion and if it helps someone else decide I'm glad.

I am a 52 year old female with severe scoliosis that decided on the no surgery option, as well. I've always had some pain, but found it to be better on the days I exercised. I jogged up until a few years ago, when I had a fender bender and started having chronic neck pain, which prohibited me to jog or workout. Now the spine really hates me. I've got it all going on, stenosis, spurs, bulging discs....chronic pain. I recently found a very good chiropractor, who not only does adjustments, but he is also working with me to build my core muscle strength back. I am also using a special desk at work that allows me to stand for part of the day. Sitting is horrible for me. It's been about 1 1/2 weeks for me, and I do feel like it's helping. I'm hopeful. I'll keep you informed. What have you tried?

Hi Pacaldema..
I can't sit for too long or then stand for too long either I literally lok like a jumping bean at a longer function when I jump up and down from chair to stand to chair for hours. I have to put a small pillow behind my back at the place where it really curves in for support. I used one for years at work and even now sometimes I take it into eating establishments with me in case there is an uncomfortable spot. I recently found a comfortable office chair I use.. as if I sit on a hard one my back starts to really hurt. Definitely keeping moving helps but I cannot jog due to jarring in my back and too, I found out I also have osteoporosis and do not need any fractures.. Yes.. keep me informed that would be great!

I went to the chiropractor yesterday, and he used laser therapy on me. It was great. It sends heat deep into the muscle tissue. I had an adjustment and quite the core workout. Today I'm alternating with heat and ice. He said using both circulates the blood into the tissue better and a much better technique. It feels good. Hopefully all of this hard work will pay off. I have been on and off short term disability for the past few months. Are you able to work?

SO glad to meet all of you ladies, especially mangosmom1 and pacaldema. Finally someone like me: mid`50's, severe curves and no surgery. Scoliosis is the absolute worst. I just love that burning sensation~ how about you? Do your hips burn too?
And how fun is clothes shopping? Not.

I am happy to meet you all, I'm new here today searching for answers. I read an article by a DR. today that said Scoliosis doesn't hurt....seems we all have a different experience than that! I saw a Dr. yesterday (internal medicine) who looked at that xray and said NOTHING was wrong with my spine, I had a 'psychiatric' problem. Mine is from a misaligned double pelvic break. Good luck to you all!

I'm in a pretty similar position, I'm 22 with scoliosis and also chose to not have surgery. Almost every response I see from people is that after a few months-years that they just wind up being worse off than before. If that's the case I'd rather just deal with the pain I have now, or find an alternative method to help. I have a curve that is 72 degrees and a lower curve that is in the 30s. I suppose that would be a compensatory curve as has been mentioned here. I've been out of work for a few years because of the pain caused by standing/walking and other activities.

Hi all,

Just wanted to say that i do applaud those of have gone for the No surgery option Hope that works well for you.

Jus a little about me I was diagnosis with scoliosis at the age of 11 i am male so from the get go they said that was rare with it being more coon in female. none the less here i am almost 28 and going strong. I , however did have the surgery i had it done when i was 12 my physican and surgeon at the time who were amazing. they opted for the harrington rod procedure due to the severity not only was my spine cuving more to the right (sorry i do not have the exact degree at thim moment) but it was rotating to the front, at one appointment they wanted to start with the milwaukee but when had a sever snowstorm so my next appoint was 6 months later and they said it was past the point of the brance. For my operation they did remove a reib and scraped bone from my pelvice, this was to facility a better fusion of the screws and pins to the spine.

I do wish i could have had the chance to try out some the non surgical options like the Schroth method or the milwaukee brance, but we Play with the hand we are delt, I will say that i have no pain from the rods themselves most of the pain come from the muscles being stiff, but through a decent exercise routine i have minimal flareups. There are some cases where the operation is the best corse and if it is then the ater care must be exceptioal I had a great physical therapist and persoal trainer, My trainer at the time me several stories of a guy with similar spinal fusion who did some body building with not problems at all.

In the end it is all about the level of care given if you have a crappy physican and crappy after care you can expect crappy results. To those who have opted for the no operation keep up the good work. I would suggest finding a good yoga instructor as someone with the operation it has done wounders for my core muscles to which i did notice a decrese on some of the pain, i also do some martial arts with my kids for me being active is best thing.

15 years post-op fealing pretty good hears to the next 15 :) who knows what it will bring. wishing everyone the best.

Clothes shopping? Talk about disappointing. Every time. All those gorgeous dresses and tops I can never wear.
And wedding dress shopping was the hardest shopping I've done all my life. I'm a 90 degree S curve with a thoracic apex on the right. If I could go even 1 day perfectly straight just to enjoy the freedom I'd love it. No pain, no body hating, free breathing, mobility, and cute clothes of course. ;D