Surgery
Surgery is another option for the treatment of scoliosis. Surgery for scoliosis involves using spinal fusion by inserting rods and screws to straighten the curved parts of the spine by approximately 50%. Scoliosis surgery is usually recommended for 50+ degrees however depending on the case some people with 40+ degrees also receive surgery. Scoliosis surgery is usually done after growth has finished and is used to stop progressive curves. Although scoliosis surgery is mostly done after growth spurts some people need it before due to very large curves or very fast rate of progression. Surgery is mostly done after the growth spurt because once a section of the spine has been fused it can't grow anymore. Scoliosis surgery is usually seen as a last resort option as it takes 6-12 hours, has a very long recovery period and drastically reduces mobility, however for some people surgery is necessary due to their scoliosis potentially crushing lungs or heart and becoming debilitating. Scoliosis surgery has evolved a lot through time and is now very reliable and safe, yet it is still a major surgery.
Benefits of surgery:
- usually less pain after surgery
- straighter spine
- better posture
- looking 'normal' again
- long term solution for scoliosis
- very successful
- No need to wear brace after surgery
- makes you taller
- stops curve from progressing further.
Cons of surgery:
- costs a lot
- painful recovery
- reduced mobility
- increases chances of arthritis
- missing a lot of school/work
- one year before you can go back to all sports
- long scar down your spine
- very major surgery, spine is important because of nervous system etc..
- not always necessary
- doesn't always fix pain
- not always successful and some curves still progress
- intense physiotherapy needed after
- need to learn how to walk and sit afterwards
Overall scoliosis surgery is very good for those who need it and has helped a lot of people however if it isn't 100% necessary try to avoid it.
Surgery is another option for the treatment of scoliosis. Surgery for scoliosis involves using spinal fusion by inserting rods and screws to straighten the curved parts of the spine by approximately 50%. Scoliosis surgery is usually recommended for 50+ degrees however depending on the case some people with 40+ degrees also receive surgery. Scoliosis surgery is usually done after growth has finished and is used to stop progressive curves. Although scoliosis surgery is mostly done after growth spurts some people need it before due to very large curves or very fast rate of progression. Surgery is mostly done after the growth spurt because once a section of the spine has been fused it can't grow anymore. Scoliosis surgery is usually seen as a last resort option as it takes 6-12 hours, has a very long recovery period and drastically reduces mobility, however for some people surgery is necessary due to their scoliosis potentially crushing lungs or heart and becoming debilitating. Scoliosis surgery has evolved a lot through time and is now very reliable and safe, yet it is still a major surgery.
Benefits of surgery:
- usually less pain after surgery
- straighter spine
- better posture
- looking 'normal' again
- long term solution for scoliosis
- very successful
- No need to wear brace after surgery
- makes you taller
- stops curve from progressing further.
Cons of surgery:
- costs a lot
- painful recovery
- reduced mobility
- increases chances of arthritis
- missing a lot of school/work
- one year before you can go back to all sports
- long scar down your spine
- very major surgery, spine is important because of nervous system etc..
- not always necessary
- doesn't always fix pain
- not always successful and some curves still progress
- intense physiotherapy needed after
- need to learn how to walk and sit afterwards
Overall scoliosis surgery is very good for those who need it and has helped a lot of people however if it isn't 100% necessary try to avoid it.