Scoliosis - surgical versus non surgical intervention? Not seeking medical advice

Legacy_user

Hi everyone,
as the title says I am not looking for medical advice.
I am hoping that some of you will be able to share your experience of scoliosis treatment and follow up .
My daughter has been recently diagnosed with thoracic scoliosis and we are seeing a consultant from the spinal unit tomorrow.
I have been doing a bit of research and I have found some very 'pro surgery' and some very 'pro physical therapy' sites and forums.
I am struggling to help my child and so I hope people will share their stories and experiences with me.
I need to know the right questions to ask! I am also very interested in finding out if people who have had treatment would do anything different?
As she sadly already has a congenital cardiac condition, I am extremely nervous of consenting to a nine hour fairly brutal surgical procedure, but I also want to do what is best for her in the long term.

I would really appreciate any input and opinions/ experiences from other folk.
Thank you,
Linda

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

It completely depends upon the degree of curve, the cause, the age and the effects of the curve. There is absolutely no way anybody can say what is best for anybody other than themselves.


My daughter has it. She does not require surgery but is under regular clinic review. She's had a few rounds of physio.


A boyfriend's first girlfriend was undiagnosed until she had stopped growing and had one of the first surgical treatments in the UK. I don't believe either of them regretted it, even when he had to look after her post surgery in their grotty bedsit at age 17.




The only thing I would say is to ask whether they have excluded any genetic conditions affecting connective tissue, in the light of the two diagnoses. And ask how they have excluded them.

System

Thanks Jojo,
She has only had x rays and MRI scan so far.
The cardiac condition is unlikely to be connected as it affects the electrical conducting system of the heart, not like Marfan's Syndrome
( was that what you were thinking of?).
I am a bit worried that we may feel a bit pressurised to consider the surgical option.
I hope to gets lots of feedback if possible, thanks so much for your input.
Linda

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

That's exactly what I was thinking of! (We had to do the rounds of all the different departments, cardiology, ophthalmology, etc, because of that).


I don't think they will pressurise you unnecessarily - they don't operate for fun.

Hopefully, it'll turn out that it can be managed through non surgical means. Good luck.