Scoliosis

Hi.  I'm 37 and have scoliosis with an increasing curvature.  My first xray's were done in 1990, my thorasic curve was 35 degrees and my left lumbar was 30 degrees.  In 2004, the right thorasic was measured at 30 degrees, and left lumber at 34 degrees, in 2006, right thorasic 37 degrees, left lumbar 30 degrees with a note that says:  shifted to left 2 cm, and in 2007, right thorasic is now 44 degrees and left lumbar 37.  I wasn't diagnosed with scoliosis until I was 19 and then it was too late to do anything but wait and watch.  I attempt to be as active as possible, run, bike, swim, yoga and for the most part I think those activities help.  But, there are increasing days with more and more pain and I'm less and less able to do the things I use to do.  Everyone says that's just getting older but I say BS and want to be able to do as much as possible and I'm only 37!!  I have ran 2 full marathons and 2 half marathons.  Which, are must easier on my back that house cleaning or yard work (ironically).  But just yesterday I woke up in pain and it was painful just loading the dishwasher.  This sux!  Are there any other methods out there that can be used to correct scoliosis besides surgery?  What happens after surgery?  Will I be further limited in my activities?  I need some advice and support.  I hate living  and looking like this.

[sonu78]

Hi,
Regarding your query of management of scoliosis. The management is based on type of the scoliosis the patient has got ----
King Type I:
    - S shaped or double curve with the lumbar curve larger and stiffer than the thoracic curve;
    - this type of curve is usually fuse down to L4 (via a posterior approach) or down
to L3 (anterior approach);
- King Type II:
    - double curve in which the thoracic curve is larger and stiffer than the lumbar;
    - note that type II curves may be confused with a type III curve, but in the type II
            lumbar curve should not cross the midline;
    - often a thoracic fusion will suffice for these patients (or down to L1);
    - type II curves may also be confused with doulble major curves;
            - this confusion may occur when there is a thoracolumbar kyphosis in the saggital plane,in which case fusion of both curves may be appropriate;
            

- King Type III:
    - single thoracic curve w/ no compensatory lumbar curve which crosses the midline;
    - managed w/ a thoracic fusion;

- King IV:
    - long thoracic curve in which the L4 tilts to thoracic curve;
    - fuse through  L4;

- King V:
    - double thoracic curve;
    - T1 tilts to upper curve;
    - fuse through T2;
  

[MilanMiller]

All I know is that my thorasic curve is larger than my lumbar curve, but it is my lower back that gives me fits.  The doctor also said my center of gravity is off - basically my chin does not line up over my pelvis.  

[sonu78]

Hi,
Could not understand your query. If your getting fits, it is nothing to do with your lower spine, but in relation to your brain.
Your doctor is right in making that statement about center of gravity.

[MilanMiller]

What do you mean if I'm getting fits it is nothing to do with my lower spine by my brain?  I'm not making this up.  Many days I have horriable back pain and sometimes I can not even stand up straight no matter how hard I try.  This is a horriable back condition to have and I push my weigh through the pain as much as possible to stay as mobil as possible and to not let it limit my life.  I'm trying to find out how I can either correct or advice on what I can do about it.

[sonu78]

Hi,
The seizures usually occur due to some intra cranial pathology rather than the spinal cord level.
It can be possible that you can have treatment to improve the scoliosis, but can only be done by surgical intervention. The surgical intervention could also mean use of some implants. Regarding this do have discussion with both orthosurgeon and neurosurgeon.
Did you see a neurologist regarding the seizures and what was his suggestion and advise.

[MilanMiller]

I don't have seizures.  Never did I mention that I have seizures.  When I stated that my lower back is what gives me "fits" I was using a "figure of speech" meaning that my lower back is the most troublesome / painful and many times I get "down" in my back and the pain is very intense and unbearable.  And, I have "catch" like sensations that hurt very badly.  Nothing to do with seizures.  I have SCOLIIOSIS.  That is a CURVATURE of the spine that has created DISC DEGENERATION in my lower spine and I sometimes have RADIATING pain from my back to my feet.  The word "fits" was a slang term for PAIN.  

[sonu78]

Meant fits to be seizures and hence posted comments on that previously. Extremely regret it.

The lower back pain is largely due to the scoliosis component. You can be considered for surgical correction where in instrumention is done so as to correct your degree of scoliosis. This could help out in reducing your pain.

As had no clinical examination detrails, it would be better to have suggestion of your doctor regarding surgical intervention.