Standing Upright

My Mom discovered I had Scoliosis when I was in middle school. We asked around to see who was considered the best Orthopedic Surgeon. I went to see him and he concluded that my C curve was about 10 degrees and stable-it was not bad enough to brace. A year later my curve was about 20 degrees, and because I had reached full height, it was unlikely to worsen. He told me that surgery was not needed. I experienced no pain at that time, and I went on with my life. As I started high school, I began feeling discomfort while sitting and standing.

I went back to my Orthopedic Surgeon, for a sixth month check up, and he informed me that my curve had increased to about 40 degrees and I needed surgery. He said that it was very unusual to see cases like mine where a curve worsens so much after full growth. That was in April '98. During the summer, my family traveled to see if other doctors were in agreement with my diagnosis. They agreed that I needed surgery but thought that a different surgery was more suited for me. We proceeded to go by our instincts: we decided on the more serious but less restricting surgery-Anterior Spinal Fusion that fused only 3 of my vertebra. It has been a year and a half since surgery, and everything is great. So far, the surgery was a success. I went from 47 degrees before to a 0 degree curve afterwards. My other, smaller, curves ended up being compensatory; therefore, they straightened out with the surgery. The fused vertebras are located where my back does not need to bend. As a result, I am involved in dancing, swimming, and cheerleading so the surgery did not restrict my motion at all. I live as a normal, seventeen year-old girl, just like I did before surgery; however, now I do not worry about becoming crippled in my later years. I recommend spine surgery to any one who has significant Scoliosis. I am here to help so if you have any more specific question about the surgery then email me at walker@scoliosis-fusion.com.