I can relate, I was diagnosed with scoliosis at 10, and I'm also around your age. I also refused surgery and I have a similar curve although mine is a bit higher as far as the degrees go. I'm tired of dealing with all the pain, but I'm still looking into other options to relieve it.

I have had two surgeries to correct my scoliosis, one half back and the second was a full back surgery (I had the first at 11 years old and the second at 16 years old). I was an athlete, played soccer, basketball, and participated in running track and cross country in middle school. As far as limitations go there really aren't any, the only exceptions to this is once having surgery you will never be able to jump on a trampoline again or go bungee jumping for fear of ruining the surgery that was done and needing to go back under the knife. Since my surgeries (I am 18 now) I have been able to 100% do everything I did before my surgeries including bending and stretching and everything of that nature, the only thing with sports is you will not be able to be active in sports and running for a year so that your back can fully heal before exerting yourself. Before surgery I was in excruciating pain and cried constantly due to the level of pain but now I am 100% pain free and I am so much happier with my everyday living. If you have any other questions regarding my experience or scoliosis in general feel free to ask.

Floridian, if you wouldn't mind, could you tell me more about your scoliosis and surgery? I'm curious. What is your curve and what type of surgery did you have?

Yes what was the degree of your scoliosis? What type of surgery did you have Florida2015.

If Floridian can still bend then it sounds like the rods have changed a lot since I had mine done. Mine were placed in 1983. I have been told I can do whatever I feel like I can. That being said, I do have some limitations. My upper back does not bend so certain moves in yoga, etc are impossible. I have continued to ride horses my whole life. As I am getting older, I have pain in my neck and lower back but not where the rods are at. I have been told that the lack of motion where the rods are at causes more wear and tear on my neck and lower back. Exercise does make it better. With or without surgery, I think keeping the back muscles strong is key. I recently took a self defense class where we were doing Judo throws. I was able to do the throws with caution. I was unable to do the rolls that are recommended for a controlled fall....I guess if I am ever mugged, I just better not fall down. LOL HOpe this helps some. Hugs!

Hi ... I'm in a similar situation to you...I'm 32 yrs old with thoracic / lumbar curve of 65 degrees. My spinal consultant has recommended surgery but I'm afraid of what the limitations will be afterwards. Did you decide to go ahead with your op??

Hi,
I felt compelled to reply to this post because your story sounds so similar to my own. I was diagnosed with scoliosis at 14, I had an S type curve with two curves measuring around 80 degrees so it was pretty bad! I agonised over whether to have the surgery for 10 years and finally had it at age 24 as my curves were progressing and I was in a lot of pain. I was fused T3 - L3 (most of my spine) and I had a costoplasty to reduce the appearance of my ribs. Honestly, it was the best thing I ever did and I wish I had it done sooner but I put it off for a long time as I was scared and my parents were also against it at first. I won't lie, the recovery was very tough and it took at least a year for me to get back to normal. Now I am 6 years post op and I can 100% do EVERYTHING I used to do before surgery. I am very active. I do running, I go to the gym 4 times a week and do classes such as Body Pump, Spin classes etc. I have also climbed mountains. Yes it's very very tough during the first few months but after you've recovered you'll be able to get back to doing what you love again. I have a blog about my life after scoliosis surgery if you are interested I can send you the link if it would help :)

I'm 24 and had my surgery when I was 13. My mom agreed with the doctor diagnosing me. I spend 7 days in the hospital. When I woke up all I remeber was pain and lots of it. They gave me a button and I pressed it until I knocked out. Third day and I felt better. Fast forward my rods extend from my shoulder blades to my tail bone. My doctor basically told me no jogging longer than 1 hour, no lifting over 30 pounds, no constant twisting/bending, and no extreme sports. I've had these rods for 11. I think the longer you have the rods in the more aches and pain you will feel. I have a friend who's a bit older than me who's had what
the I got done and she says to me "sometimes it feels like your fighting against your own body to do what you want." Having rods in your back don't define the things you are capable of. Best of luck to you.