Hey! What are the degrees of your curves? Your worries are completely natural. I have a blog that talks about everything related to my surgery, and I think it would be really helpful and encouraging to you. I've gotten back to playing volleyball again, and honestly, I feel just as good as before my surgery! My blog also has my email address on it, so if you ever have any questions, just let me know! Hope everything goes well for you!

Katie
http://scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com/

My curve is 68 degrees, I only have one. I have read your blog and found it quite helpful, so thank you for that. If you don't mind me asking, what degrees was/were your curve(s)? Also, did you suffer with pain? The doctor said it isn't related to scoliosis but i have to take ibuprofen to calm the pain down.

Thanks Katie, :)

Sarah

I had two curves: 52 and 57. 68 is definitely something that could cause problems as you age. I had a lot of pain the last year before my surgery, and I even had a hard time breathing. My surgery has improved my breathing and I have no pain from the surgery now. I have pain in my lower back because of a disc problem, but no pain from the scoliosis or surgery! I've always heard from the doctors that pain isn't related to scoliosis. Most people I've talked to experience quite a bit of pain, but many times when you have scoliosis you have other back problems with it. But I don't know... I am allergic to most medicines, so I used a heating pad, and that really helped, so if you haven't tried that, too, I would definitely suggest it. I hope you feel better and are able to make the right decision!

Katie
http://scoliosis-braceyourself.blogspot.com/

Thank you very much, I hope everything goes well for you.

Sarah

i think you will be fine but you need to do what you need to do i havd my surgery last may you can ask me any questions you want if you have any. good luck!

sportychic

Thank you. I think i am edging more towards surgery now but i'm still thinking about it... Ok and thanks about your questions!

SmileScoliosis - Sarah

I haven't had surgery yet but i am on the waiting list to have it done. i am really scared just like u and i know what u are going through. I give you all hope and if u need to ask any questions then i am happy to answer.

Amy :)

Thank you. I hope all goes well for you. You are bound to be scared, just like me. I have just found out that a few of my family members friends have had scoliosis and had surgery!

I am happy to answer your questions too, that goes for everybody.

:)

My only advice for anyone considering surgery to have a rod inserted into your back or fusion of vertebrae is to ask your doctor about ADJACENT LEVEL DISEASE. This is a critical question. Just ask your doctor what it is. Because this is something you should know but they won't tell you unless you ask them. If you still want to get the surgery after you understand that, then at least you are fully informed.

Ok, Thank you. I will ask my doctor at my next appointment.

i am no doctor or health care professional but i read hundreds of articles about scoliosis and have a son who is for who's curve was 80 degrees at age of two due to tethered spinal cord. his curve was 65 at the last x ray and he straightened since but hasnt been x rayd.

i would never advice to anyone to do surgery unless it's about life and death. i would advice to all people to first try all alternative methods available. the most important thing about scoliosis is the exercise to lengthen tendons, and strengthen muscles to balance out the weak and the hump side. also the exercises help to de-rotate the spine which brings the ribcage, shoulders and hips back in place.

many people think that just putting on a brace will do the trick but in reality a brace and exercises should go hand in hand. if the muscles aren't strong, they will never be able to hold up the spine without a brace.

now of course before putting on a brace you need to make sure if there is any cause for the scoliosis because if there is that needs to be addressed first (i.e. tethered cord) because exercisisng with an undelying condition can cause serious harm.

as for surgery, i met several people whose rods broke in the spine...not right away but many years later. i also met those whose rods didn't brake but the scoliosis came back ever so strong again. i also read many articles where post surgery patients experience pain for the rest of their lives.

i think surgery should be the last resort. it is invasive and dangerous. i am not saying there aren't some success stories, although i personally haven't heard one since i am not following people all their lives, so there might be some. but i think if there are ways to do it without invasive treatments why not give them a chance?

in the end it is your call but i think since you are nervous about the idea, your heart and your gut feeling tells you the answer already.

this is a big decision and i would suggest to do as many research as i did for my son. don't agree to invasive surgery until you know all sides of the story, than make your decision. good luck!

also i forgot to mention, since you are still growing...a rod implant can interfere with growth.

for a 12 year old your spine isn't "stiff' yet, of course not as flexible as my 4 year old but also not as "stiff" as an adult. i think you could benefit of alternative treatments (but you will have to be disciplined)

anyhow i posted my experience with braces and exercises, if you find my post you can read what i do with my son.

To be honest, I am still thinking about having surgery but I'm not that sure.
I know a few people who have had rods put in but they are all success stories and I don't like the idea, all of them have told me, that you have to learn how to do a lot of things again, such as:
Learning how to walk
Learning how to sit up

I don't think I am ready for that yet.

Also with you saying about my growth, the doctor told me recently that if i leave it to grow, another curve could develop. He also said that with me being tall, (5 ft 4 inches), it is easier for another curve to grow. At the moment I only have one curve measuring 68 degrees and I have to regularly go for check-ups. I will try exercising in different ways to see if it does improve.

I haven't been given the option to have a brace as my curve is severe.

Thank you for your information.

My consultant has told me that it is best to wait before getting any surgery as he said it is more of a cosmetic thing.

Until my back does look disfigured or I can't take it anymore, that is when I will get surgery.

He also said that if i got it, i would be trading a straight body for scars.

Thanks for all your help, but my consultant is probably right. I hope all goes well for everybody, and i can't thank you enough for all your support.

surgery is very scary. but for me my life has been so much better afterwards. The temporary pain of surgery is so worth the pain it was on a daily basis.