Scoliosis Surgery - Neck problems a year later

Cat_1 · Newbie Joined: 11 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

I had scoliosis surgery in 2001, rods & screws the whole nine yards. The only side effect I have had has been a little ache every now and then, but I am glad I did it. I saw an earlier post reccomending a chiropractor.All this visit would do is lead to early arthritis not a cure.Any Orthopedic surgeon worth their salt is not going to unneccessarily advise surgery, so DO YOUR RESEARCH.It took a few tries to find a doctor I trusted.I was wondering if anyone who has had the surgery has any info on pregnancy and delivery.Will I have a more difficult preganancy?

drtomt · Posted: 07/12/07 - 09:50 Post subject: Scoliosis Surgery

Unfortunately your body is adapting to altered biomechanics due to the rod and years of poor posture, rounded shoulders, head forward, altered normal spinal curves.
Think of a plumb bob. Your neck is going forward as a direct result of your spine. Your head weighs about 12 lbs. Try holding a bowling ball on your shoulders all day. The front neck muscles are contracting more than the back neck muscles. As a result your muscles will "remember" the current position.

Find a chiropractor who uses Chiropractic BioPhysics (CBP) or Pettibon technique to correct the neck as best as it can be corrected. Your body may adapt better after that.

For other readers, scoliosis surgery fails more often than is successful and should only be considered when the curve exceeds 30 degrees or the convex side of the curve approaches the heart. A study published in the journal Proceedings from the Fisher Institute for Medical Research shows a combination of corrective chiropractic care and glyconutrient supplementation actually reversed scoliosis significantly in a number of patients, verses those that did not have corrective chiropractic or glyconutrient supplements.

Guest · Guest

I am also a scoliosis survivor (?)...I am not 27 and had spinal fusion for an S curve of 68 degrees...and I am still standing well. Yes I have tension in my neck area and cant play tackle football but all is well. I had seen chiropractors since the age of 12 and certain scoliosis is more severe and cannot be treated with braces or chiropractic help. I was one of those cases...I had 2 braces...one of them the Milwaukee brace and neither of them worked. I am all for chiropractors and anything that can strengthen your muscles...but if you have a child with sever scoliosis surgery do your research. Surgery is recommended once all other options no longer work...so surgery should be in the teenage years where your body has had most of its growth. Good luck to all and its well worth it...hey I'm still here and doing fine!

Guest · Guest

I have had scoliosis ever since I can remember. I was 6 when i found out I had scoliosis. I also have what's called springles. I really look like a huchback more than most people I meet who have scoliosis. I'm 16 1/2 and I've been wanting this surgery for a good while now but my doctor said I needed to stop growing for the best results to happen. In people who have recently had their surgery's what did you have to wear to keep your back in place? How long do you have to stay off your feet? How long were you in the hospital? I'm in band class and I play the clarinet do you think this will effect me and my playing? Did it hurt to sleep at first? Right now it hurts to lay anyway because my back is that curved. I didn't use to be so bad but now it's curved into a big S and having springs on top of it my shoulder always hurts. I'm really worried how it will hurt after but I'm excited about getting it done and never have to worry about my back and what people are thinking of me. Am I making the best choice or should I take a second look at it? What can I do to improve my back after the surgery?

Guest · Guest

I had back surgery in 2006 and had a rod put in my back and half way up my neck. My spine was bent like a question mark but not hunchback. I had always known that one of my shoulders set lower than the other and that my rib cage was a little off set, but I never really thought anything of it until I started having problems—I never imagined I had scoliosis. Before my surgery my spinal cord was so pinched that I was losing feeling in my legs and feet, and I was even going to the bathroom on myself accidentally; it was horrible. The surgery was a must, or I would’ve ended up in a wheelchair. After surgery the feeling came back almost immediately, but the recovery was long and horrible. It felt like I carried a 50 pound sand bag on my shoulders for over a year, and I ached and felt totally awkward all the time. It's been almost two years now since the surgery, and I still ache and feel awkward, but I'm doing much better, and my body has learned to adapt. I have a lot of anxiety now, and I am in constant fear that something will go wrong, and I’ll have to do it all over again. I’m 22 years old, and I want to be as active as I can be. I like to bowl, and play ball, but I’m not sure if I should. If anyone has had this same surgery I would like to hear from you and how you are doing.
Thanks, and God Bless

Guest · Guest

I'd recommend Feldenkrais work before embarking on surgery or after surgery if you've already had it and are having problems.

Guest · Guest

Guest · Guest

Yes well i had my surgery almost a year ago and i am 15 and i have the same pains i just need to know how to work out to get my body to relax Question

.

Guest · Guest

i had surgery in 1980 when i was 18 years old. the last few years i have had more muscle tension in my neck and shoulders. i think it is from the curvature my shoulders are not even. i also lack flexability and have tight hamstrings. other than that i have not had any more problems than most of my friends or family that are my age.

Scoliosis Surgery - Neck problems a year later

LIFEFORM SOCIAL COMMUNITY NETWORK