Scoliosis

I am 23 years old, and was just diagnosed with scoliosis. Only other medical condition is moderate asthma which is pretty well controlled by daily inhaled steroids.
Anyway, my curve was measured as a "middle' region curve of about 48 degrees. I have probably  had this since i was 10-12, for that is when I was nagged by others to 'stand up straight' etc. Anyway, it was only about 3 months before my 23rd birthday that i started to experiece mild pain in my upper back. 6 months later i go to a doctor and the diagnosis was made. I have a very noticable hump when i bend over on my right shoulder blade area, but if i am standing straight, the hump is so small that i hadnt even noticed it all these years. All these years i have participated in all activities just like normal people, and never had any back pain or trouble.
My question was-
1) Am i right in believing that this is probably a progressive curve, since it is only now that i have pain. (So this pain only started occuring after the curve progressed beyound a certain degree?)?
2) At 23 am I really too old to have surgery? I understand that ideally you want to have this surgery when you are in your teens, but at 23 is it still reasonable?
3) Being asthmatic, would surgery  be out of the question? Or should surgery  be performed in asthmatics as you dont want to risk scoliosis affecting lung function in an already asthmatic lung?
4) If I did have surgery, what sort of activities would i have to give up?

[Kevin Pho, MD]

To answer your questions:
1) It is likely that the course of the scoliosis is progressive in nature.

2) Surgery for this condition is of dubious value - since it also carries a significant complication rate during the adult years.  If there is signficant respiratory compromise, then surgery may be considered.

3) Being asthmatic would add another layer of risk to surgery.  I think if the scoliosis is primarily affecting the lung function, you can then consider surgery if conservative and medical treatment has failed.

4) I am not a surgeon - but you may want to discuss this questions with your orthopedic referral.  I would surmise that the recovery time and prognosis would vary between patients.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
Medical Weblog:
kevinmd_b

[RXA]

I forgot to mention that i am male, although i doubt that matters!