have you experienced serious side effects from scoliosis sur

I had mine about two months ago as well on my upper curve only, have you just been sitting around or has there been a rapid change in exersize or a lot of bending forwards and backwards

I had an "S" curve of scoliosis (the worst curve was over 50 degrees) and had Harrington Rods placed when I was 13. I'm now 31. I don't recall any discussions with the doctor about physical therapy but, to be honest, I probably wouldn't remember anyway since back then I was mostly just excited about getting to skip gym class for a whole year. I went through my teen years just trying to be 'normal' and didn't put much effort into keeping my back strong. I actually had more pain in my late teens and early 20's than I do now, and I credit it to getting in better shape. It wasn't until I started really trying to exercise and stretch my back that my pain got better. Swimming, yoga and pilates were my focus early on, and are wonderful for those of us that need low impact. I still remember the first time I walked out of my first yoga class. My whole back seemed to take a huge sigh of relief and I felt two inches taller. I hadn't been able to do all of the moves (and probably never will), but just sitting and stretching as deeply as I could for an hour made such a huge difference. There's a book called "Pilates for fragile backs" that was a great start to building strength and flexibility. As I've gotten stronger, I'm more confident and try more questionable things... I know that every situation is different, however I'm a huge proponent of trying SOME sort of physical therapy if at all possible. It's so tempting to sit around because of the pain, however, in my opinion, steel is much stronger than bone. Those rods aren't going anywhere whether you decide stretch or not. And considering how little of our spine many of us can actually use, it's so important to keep the muscles strong. Of course I'm no doctor, I'm simply stating what has worked for me.

Hi there! Do you recall how many vertebras had rods attached? I'm 52 and have an S-curve as well. My curve is about 32 degrees at the worse place. I do everything I can to stay strong and active so I'm pretty much pain free but I have to watch myself all the time. I have a vertebra that is twisting around in my lumbar spine that is cause a lot of my problems. I was once told I would have to have all my lumbar vertebra fused plus one thoracic and one S. Not sure I'm ready for that! Just curious if you have pain above the fusion or below.

Hey! I believe I'm attached from T4 to L2, so I have use of my upper and lower back. I've always had more pain with my lower back. I have a sitting job so that probably doesn't help. But my lower back also responds the best to the stretching and exercise so it' s been fairly easy to keep it feeling good as long as I keep active.I'm sorry to hear you may need surgery, but if the twisting continues and you decide to do it, I hope that it helps with the pain. I spent two years in back braces as a kid and still had the scoliosis progress, so surgery definitely was the right choice in the end. With the worst being 32 degrees...maybe there are other options? Or maybe the degree of the curve isn't the problem, but the twisting is? I imagine you're looking into all the options at this point! I wish you the best :)

Hello Lauren, My situation may not apply to your research as my surgery was in 1969. I believe I was a guinea pig as it was so new. Although I had an excellent surgeon, I have suffered from severe backaches, a bulging disc, impaired mobility and plain ordinary frustration. For example, I become a human rocking chair when I attempt to put on pantyhose. Not the worst thing I know. On top of all of the issues I have to deal with, I was rear ended and I believe it did some damage to my spine and it appears that one hip is higher than the other which is exactly what I looked like when my mom rushed me to the doctor! I would love to hear about your research. Take care.

I had Harrington rods put in to correct my scoliosis from 47 degrees to 23 degrees by the now retired Dr. Dan Bethem. He did an excellent job and I have no problems 33 years later.

That's great Im happy for you. It is such delicate surgery and in my case the curve was quite severe. I've now developed arthritis and lordosis. On the bright side I can walk and that is a good thing

Have the babies naturally and learn breathing techniques. I had two and I was fine.

I had surgery done by Dr. Bobechko when I was 15. The procedure was the best option at the time but I have had a life of pain and limited functioning. I hope you don't suffer a lot. Most doctors I have seen are clueless and want to load me up with Tylenol. What is your situation like now? Im 61.

I have been fused from T4 to L4 from 2014 2 year later an i still cant get my life together. Still looking for answers an trying new things to feel better

Surgery in 1986 at the age of 17 by now retired Dr. Bethem @ Akron Children's Hospital. I am now 47. Degenerative arthritis in my lower spine and increasing pain as I am getting older are the only side effects. Wearing out of the lower vertebrata and facet joints due to over use.

I have severe scoliosis and have never had surgery. I am 64 years old. In my 40's, I started stretching every morning and every night. I hung a chin-up bar in my doorway, and hang from it several times a day. I also make sure I keep good posture ( after awhile, it just comes naturally) 10 years ago, I had a 64 degree curve and have not been checked since. I have some pain and some spasms, but I find that keeping active has really helped me stay flexible. There are many alternative treatments out there these days, like flexible bracing, called the Spinecor brace, even for adults. 

Search for The Schroth Method and Spinecor brace.