Nearly ten years ago, I had a posterior spinal fusion for scoliosis. At the time of surgery, my curve was an impressive 83deg, my ribs dug into my hips when I sat down and my breathing was getting restricted due to the severity of the curve. Spinal Fusion surgery is recommended for scoliosis curves greater than 40deg; hence my curve was pretty severe by the time I got surgery. There were a number of reasons why my curve was so bad by the time I had surgery however I don’t regret waiting until what was definitely the right time for me.
Over the next few weeks, I want to share my scoliosis journey and what I have learnt and gained from the experience. I am now 26 and this journey has definitely shaped the person I am today. While sometimes I do wish that I was just like everyone else, I for the most part am happy with the way scoliosis has shaped me and my life. For anyone going through this journey, good luck! I know everyone’s experience is different but been positive and been grateful for what you do have is always important.
Nourish'd Lifestyle 
April 15, 2017 at 10:56 pm
Beautiful story! I’m glad to hear it turned out well for you. I have scoliosis as well, although mine is 60 degrees and I’ve not had surgery yet.
LikeLike
April 19, 2017 at 7:42 am
Thank you so much for your comment. Are you planning on having surgery?
LikeLiked by 1 person
April 24, 2017 at 1:05 pm
I am: It’ll be June 21.
LikeLike
May 6, 2017 at 10:42 am
Hi, thanks for your comment. I just checked out your blog and sounds as though you had a pretty similar experience to mine in regards to the unexpected and severe progression.
Although surgery was tough and I feel for anyone that does need to go through it, it was definitely the right thing for me to do. Ten years on, I am fitter and healthier than most people I know. I can run (although 5km-7km is my limit without getting pain somewhere in my body). The one thing I have had to slow down on is tennis, I played at a highly competitive level before surgery. Tennis just has so much movement and agility involved, it was causing me a lot of pain so I have stopped playing competitively but I can still play well – just not keep up the intensity level I had pre-surgery. My flexibility is still pretty good, apart from the obvious. I get neck and lower back pain a little and struggle sitting down for long periods of time (more than a few hours) but I have made a few changes to diet recently and the pain has been significantly reduced. I get little to no pain in my actual back and can do most things that most people can do and people are shocked when I tell them my spine is pretty much entirely fused. Let me know if you have any specific questions, would love to help!
LikeLike