Scoliosis Life Expectancy

[matotaos]

I have read several websites who claim that Scoliosis decreases your life expectancy by 14.8 years, which all reference the same study. However, other websites, including wiki, claim that it has no effect on life expectancy and say that it is a myth. This is also backed up by a study done by Iowa University. Also, the study that claims that Scoliosis decreases your life by 14.8 years says that the patients were untreated. I am wondering if anyone knows whether it does or doesn't affect a person's life span and if treatment increases a person's life expectancy. If anyone knows please comment. Thank you :)

[Margwill]

My husband is 77 and has always had severe scoliosis. He is well under 5ft tall and is getting shorter as gravity and time increase the curvature in his spine. He's worked throughout his life and has never considered he has a disability, and until the last few years has had little pain. Although the pain is now debilitating to the point he spends much of his time lying down, he still manages to run his own business with regular help from a couple of friends he has on the payroll.

I'm convinced he's lived to this age (with his organs in all sorts of places within his short body and his lungs getting more compressed with time) and managed a reasonably full and happy life because of his attitude - not caring that people stare at him (his head is also deformed), a relaxed and cheerful disposition and sense of humour, and a refusal to let his condition get in the way of a happy fulfilled life. He's exceptional as a person, but I'm interested to know how many other people with such severe scoliosis have lived as long as he has.

Unfortunately all the pain medications he's been offered have either had adverse effects or been largely ineffective, and surgery is out of the question. Next step is to join the push for accessible and affordable medicinal marijuana in New Zealand, which at present isn't available.

[marikit7]

i am in my 30s and have severe scoliosis (S-curve). i rarely have pain. i only feel a little pain when it's very cold and when i'm too tired from physically demanding activities. my orthopaedic doctor think it's amazing considering the severity (my left lung can no longer be evaluated because it's compressed and i have mitral valve prolapse). i guess i'm very lucky and blessed.

[Yoda76]

I have a very severe case of scoliosis, I have had 7 operation, I also suffer with chronic spinal pain, I'm 40 and my scoliosis has effected my whole life, my dream was to become a jockey but because my scoliosis was so bad I had to end up being on a disability pension, about a year ago I tried to start my own car detailing business but my back couldn't handle it, I've always tried to make ago of life but each time my condition has stopped me, I still stay positive, at the moment I'm waiting to start pain management treatment,in my younger years I wanted to work to save to travel around Australia by caravan but because I hadn't been able to save on a pension it's been hard, maybe one day the misses and I can manage to travel our dream, but hey I still managed to keep smiling, I'm also constantly looking at new treatment for my spine, I've seen the new electronic spinal stimulation but because my spine is to far curved i have been told it wouldn't work for my condition, I'm currently on a new trial drug called palexia, it helps but the long term use is not good on the kidneys,my spine is in the shape of an S, I also stand at 4ft8 yes that's correct,if anyone knows of any good treatment feel free to email me at ***@**** I'm currently have another appointment with my surgeon January 2017 at the Royal Melbourne hospital Victoria Australia, if your a surgeon reading this message and want to help feel free to contact Peter Turner at the Royal Melbourne Victoria Australia, he's the head of spinal surgeon's at that hospital,I would love to get on top of my chronic spinal pain a d would do anything to rid my pain,
That's my story i thought I'd share.
Marco Brunel

[verykerry]

I am turning 60 this month and my curve before my operation was 90 degrees now is 70 degrees with the spinal jack fusion operation. Stay active swim, eat healthy, and don't get discouraged.  Go to your Dr to keep progress of the curve. My back photo is in the medical books with a caption reading it is a shame that this got so bad. With the operation and physical  therapy there is no reason for your problem to be so bad. Sit up straight and be more active.

[selmaS]

  HI and welcome to the Spinal Cord C/D  community.

My NL suggested to look into the Feldenkrais Method for core strength and posture....I am sure this may be able to help u as well.

Talk to ur Drs about is and inquire about classes i ur area that many teach the technique.

[Arashina]

I have scoloises I actually have 2 curvatures on the top it's mild and the bottom it's Minor but my back is constantly hurting me and I have a bad posture would you by any chance know any ways I can fix my posture?

Also I was told my spine wont get better but apparently if u don't take care of it while you are growing it can get worse. But if it's minor then it shouldn't decrease your life expectancy. I'm not an expert

[selmaS]

  It is very important for u to keep ur core strengthened, ur posture is important key in this...look into Feldenkrais Method, it is a way of holding urself( posture) and movement.....

Only A Dr can tell u some of those things, such as the curve, changing, but if u keep good posture and a tight core, it is less likely to shift more....

May I ask what the other issue was u went to the Dr for when ur scoliosis was found?

[matotaos]

Thanks for your response.
At the moment I am 16 and my curve is very minor. You can barely see it. It hasn't really affected me at all. Being diagnosed was a shock since I had no idea. I went to the doctor for a different reason and he noticed that my spine wasn't entirely straight. Will my spine continue to curve when I stop growing and is the only reason life expectancy is decreased in Scoliosis patients because it can stop organs functioning as they would usually? Thanks

[selmaS]

  Hi and welcome to the Spinal Cord C/D forum.

I am in now way an expert n this topic, but I would have to expect that it would depend on how it is affecting and to what degree ur curvature is...as that can involve other organs, and that is what would decrease life expectancy.

Do u know how severe a curve u have? ANd if it is affecting u in other ways? WHat other health issues do u have?