Frequently Asked Questions
More than 80% of the scoliosis are idiopathic, which means the reason for the curve is unknown. Scoliosis can also occur as a result of the degeneration of the spinal discs, which can happen as a result of osteoporosis, arthritis, or a hereditary disorder that frequently runs in families.
Scoliosis curves are measured by health professionals in degrees: Less than 20 degrees represents a minor curvature. Between 25 and 40 degrees is a moderate curve. Over 50 degrees is considered a steep curve.
The best long-term benefits are seen in scoliosis patients between the ages of 3 and 10 years.
It's never too late to undergo scoliosis surgery if you have scoliosis and are an adult.
Yes, scoliosis spine surgery is a major surgery. But the operation itself is just one stage of a drawn-out procedure.
Depending on the magnitude of the patient's curvature and how much of the spine needs to be fused, most fusions take 4 to 8 hours. A portion of this time is spent getting the patient ready for anesthesia, connecting them to various monitors, and arranging them for maximum safety and comfort.
Recovery from scoliosis surgery takes a while; patients usually need three to six months before they can resume their regular activities.
Any sort of spine surgery, including spinal fusion for the treatment of scoliosis, has the risk of complications, including infections, nerve damage, blood loss, and bowel and bladder issues.
The rods are typically placed for the rest of the patient's life. Approximately 2% of individuals have their rods removed. The most usual reason for rod removal is discomfort brought on by rods stinging nearby muscles.
The growth of the curvature is successfully stopped via spinal fusion. The curve can now be greatly straightened by doctors, which enhances the patient's attractiveness.
Your surgeon will only straighten your spinal bones as much as is necessary to safeguard your spinal cord.
How flexible your scoliosis is before surgery determines the extent of the correction. In general, the better the surgical correction, the more flexible your curvature is. Prior to surgery, your doctor might assess your flexibility using specialised X-rays known as bending or traction films. After surgery, the majority of patients have curves that are less than 25 degrees straightened. These little bends are frequently hardly perceptible.
There will be more pain than usual just after surgery, but this usually passes within a few weeks to months. Most patients claim that one year following surgery, their back pain is less severe than it was before.
Any restrictions you have following surgery will be explained by your surgeon. For the first six weeks, most patients will be instructed to avoid heavy lifting and limit their forward bending.
No, the majority of patients are able to resume all of their preferred pastimes and sports. Within 4 to 6 months of surgery, the majority of patients resume non-contact athletic activity (running, weightlifting, workouts).
All physical activity, especially contact sports, must wait until the spine has fully recovered. To get a strong spine fusion following surgery and resume your normal activities, it usually takes 6 to 12 months.